This is the 101st organization of the famous carnival of Rethymnon, and this year the organizers promised it will be the best carnival of all times! The 2015 programme follows:
Thursday February 12 (Tsiknopempti)
19.00 carnival event "Rosalia is coming". Bring your costume and percussion and walk through the city streets with this mobile party. Starting point: Platanos. End point: Rimondi Fountain.
19:30 Mikrasiaton square: live traditional Greek music, dance performances and presentation of carnival customs.
20:00 Mikrasiaton square: Presentation of the traditional distillation process of raki (tsikoudia)!
...and then, BBQs, parties, dancing and drinking all around the city!
Friday February 13
- Party of the carnival team 'POTHEN ESHOS' in Ennea Ogdoa (Arkadiou str. 305). Time: 23:00.
- Party of the carnival team Τi-mori-menoi; at Mini Bar (Petihaki str. 6, beach)
Saturday February 14
Carnival thematic dance: "famous couples" at 19.:30 at Megaro center.
Sunday February 15
- Party of the carnival team Εμbeerοι at Ice Club (Salaminos & Mesologgiou str., old city).
Monday February 16
- Party of the carnival teams “Alter Ego” & “Kitra” at Ice Club (Salaminos & Mesologgiou str., old city).
- Party of the carnival team Tzitzikotrihides at Sugar Bar (El. Venizelou str. 14).
Tuesday February 17
- Party of the carnival team “Anonimoi” at Ennea Ogdoa (Arkadiou str. 305, old city). Free entrance.
Τετάρτη 18 Φεβρουαρίου
- Party of the carnival team Anemomialoi at Levare Club (Melissinou 3 str. , old city).
- Party of the carnival team Giaremides at Bar Ennea Ogdoa (Arkadiou str. 305).
- Party of the carnival team Rakodikasmenoi at Metropolis Club (Nearhou str. 15, Venetian port).
Πέμπτη 19 Φεβρουαρίου
"Carnival Cycling"
At 19:00 the friends of bicycle wear their costumes and meet at the square of the uknown soldier for a wild ride through the city!
- Party of the carnival team Anihneftes at Living Room Lounge Cafe (El. Venizelou str. 5, beach).
- Party of the carnival team Gousgounides at Ennea Ogdoa (Arkadiou str. 305).
- Party of the carnival team Outsiders at Barcode (El. Venizelou str. 8, beach).
- School Girls & Freaky Nerds party of the carnival team PandaYa at Ice Club (Salaminos & Mesologgiou str., old city).
- Party of the carnival team Gazanoves at Mini Bar (Petihaki str. 6, beach).
- Party of the carnival team Potagonistes at Fortezza Club (Nearhou str. 13, Venetian port)
- Party of the carnival team The Others at Bistro Bar (Tsouderon str. 22, old city).
Friday February 20
Cretan traditional cantadas (serenades)
19:00 A musical walk through the old city of Rethymnon. Starting point: square of the unknown soldier.
The walk will conclude to a party at Mikrasiaton square!
- Cretan night with live music at the tavern Drymos (Patsos, Amari). Entrance: 12€.
- Party of the carnival team Carnivaloi at Sugar Bar (El. Venizalou str. 14).
- Party of the carnival team Ypoloipoi at Ennea Ogdoa (Arkadiou str. 305).
- Party of the carnival team Ashetoi at Barcode (El. Venizalou str. 8, beach).
- Party of the carnival team Emeis ki Emeis at Ice Club (Salaminos & Mesologgiou str., old city).
- Party of the carnival team Oloi Vitsiozoi at Home Cafe Bar (Kefalogiannidon str. 18).
Saturday February 21
Night carnival parade
Starting from Kountourioti Avenue (Papandreou str. corner) at 21:00. The parade will conclude with a party at Mikrasiaton square.
Sunday February 22
Rethymnon carnival 2015: the great PARADE starts at 14:00 at Theotokopoulos junction
15:30-18:00 Party at the old city
18:30 closing ceremony & burning of the Carnival King.
Monday February 23 – Clean Monday at the Prefecture of Rethymnon:
Clean Monday marks the beginning of fasting for 40 days until Easter, and is celebrated with different customs in the Perfecture's villages and towns:
12:30 RETHYMNON traditional Clean Monday picnic (koulouma) at the beach of El. Venizelos.
12:00 GERANI The 'parade of the camel' (custom revival).
SOMATAS traditional bean soup at Somatas.
10:00 ARMENOI 'Ash custom' revival and traditional Clean Monday picnic.
ELEFTHERNA revival of traditional customs (psilogaidoura) by the youth association of the village.
12:00 MELIDONI Egg picking and 'the stealing of the bride' (custom revival).
12:00 MERONAS Traditional events. The bear, the marriage arrangement, the Camel and other customs and games with the company of live music & dances.
11:30 PATSOS The stealing of the bride, revival of traditional customs and games and cretan feast.