Carnival in Greece celebrates the playful side of life: masquerade, day and night long partying, lots of food & wine, games and parades. This year, carnival celebrations in Heraklion start on the 1st of February and end on February 23, on 'Clean Monday', the day when the 40-day long fasting until Easter starts.
The carnival parade will take place on Saturday February 21 at 16:00 and will cross the city center: from Chanioporta to Kalokairinou street and Eleftherias square. The 2015 carnival theme is FAIRY TALES! Get inspired and pick your costume...
The carnival program follows below:
"HERAKLION CARNIVAL 2015"
Saturday February 14, Basilica of St. Marco
Time: 20:30, free entrance
CARNIVAL CONCERT BY THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF HERAKLION
Popular carnival melodies and music from the world cinema and the latin scene.
Conductor: Leonidas Tzortzakis
Sunday February 15, Kallergi square (LOGGIA)
Time: 10:30
13th TREASURE HUNT
A game for greek-speaking city connoisseurs...but still fun to watch them run around the city all day, following hints! The winner gets to organize next year's hunt, which is usually related to the city's history.
At (about) 19:30 the game ends and the winning team is awarded.
Monday February 16, Theatrical Station (port)
Time: 20:30, free entrance
Carnival concert with the music group 'NISTIMO IMAR'
Art director: Minos Somarakis
Wednesday February 18, Theatrical Station (port)
Time: 20:30, entrance 5€
Concert 'A tribute to AttiK'
Organized by the Soroptimist Association of Heraklion 'ARETOUSA' and the Network of Women's Groups of Crete.
(for the funding of children's SOS villages)
Thursday February 19, Youth Center of the Municipality of Heraklion (across Loggia)
Time: 19:00
CARNIVAL CANTADA
The tradition of cantada involves a few musicians walking through city streets (or under the window of a woman) playing music and singing. A carnival version of this tradition will take place in the city streets of Heraklion, starting from the youth center across loggia at about 19.00. Participants from the choir of the Asia Minor Association of Crete, city conservatoires, Music School, Art High School, the Dance and Culture School of Aetogiannis, and more local music groups will entertain us in this musical walk through the city.
At the same time, the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Heraklion will perform at the Basilica od St. Marco carnival songs.
Friday February 20, @Theatrikos Stathmos
Time: 20:30
The choirs of Heraklion High Schools present a concert-tribute to Yiannis Markopoulos.
Art director: Kostas Papadakis
Saturday February 21
Time: 16:00
CARNIVAL PARADE
(Costumes and floats are inspired by FAIRY TALES)
Route: Starting from Chanioporta - Kalokairinou avenue – Idis– Dikaiosunis- Eleftherias Square
After the parade, there is a PARTY outside the Basilica of St. Marco
Monday February 23
Time: 10:00
'CLEAN MONDAY'
Ready to 'cleanse' your body from meat? The Municipality of Heraklion invites you to start "fasting" in a large outdoor picnic at PANCRETAN STADIUM. The menu is vegan and traditional, and includes: traditional bean soup, taramosalata, and more fasting treats. There will be live traditional music and dancing.
CARNIVAL ROUTES AT OTHER MUNICIPAL DISTRICTS
Carnival melodies by the Philharmonic Orchestra and fun happenings:
MONDAY 16/02/2015
a. Voutes 17:30
b. Stavrakia 18:15
c. Agios Muronas 19:00
d. Ano Asites 19:45
TUESDAY 17/02/2015
a. Dafnes 17:30
b. Venerato 18:15
c. Sivas 19:00
d. Avgeniki 19:45
WEDNESDAY 18/02/2015
a. Fortezza 17:30
b. Vassilies 18:15
c. Agios Syllas 19:00
d. Profitis Elias 19:45
FRIDAY 20/02/2015
a. Alikarnassos 17:30
b. Kallithea 18:15
c. Skalani 19:00
d. Knossos 19:45