Corfu Carnival

WHERE: Corfu, Greece
WHEN: from 04 to 13 February 2024

Corfu is an island of a thousand colors and countless traditions. Many approach it exclusively to the sea and beaches, but a holiday away from the hottest periods can give you unexpected satisfaction.
This is the case of the Corfu Carnival, an event that boasts ancient origins. Initially it was dedicated to the cult of Bacchus, the God of Wine. It was, however, after the period of Venetian domination that it took on the current connotations of a popular masked festival.

Today, the Corfu Carnival is a colorful event that invades all the main centers and villages of the island. Festive processions, traditional masks and characters of the local tradition await you. You can admire beautiful costumes and clothes characteristic of the present and the past.
Obviously, as a good popular event, there will be lots of music, singing and dancing on the streets of the cities. Especially in the capital.
And, of course, the most succulent and delicious dishes of tradition.

An extraordinary moment of aggregation that shows all the warmth of the islanders. Their extraordinary welcome. But also their extraordinary satire, as in the case of the “Petegoletsia”, an ancient rite that lives on today in the streets of Corfu.
Or as in the mask of the Muzeta, an unrecognizable character who, during the Sunday carnival procession, enjoys making fun of people without showing any mercy.

The billboard is full of events, rituals and celebrations, starting from the first Sunday of the carnival. Or even earlier. Because, the preparations in these parts begin a couple of months in advance.

PRACTICAL INFO

THE PLACES OF THE CORFU CARNIVAL

The event touches the main towns and villages of the city. Kerkyra (Corfu Town), the capital, is of course the real symbol, as well as the most frequented place, being the most central, and the easiest to reach.
If you are driving, we recommend heading north to Episkepsi, about an hour’s drive from Corfu Town. In Klimatia, a small village not far from Episkepsi, and Kritika, at the exact opposite, in the southernmost part of the island, an interesting ritual awaits you on the Sunday before Carnival.

CORFU CARNIVAL PROGRAM 2024

Here are the events not to be missed during the Kerkyra Carnival, the capital of the island:

• Sunday 04: rehearsal of parade of allegorical floats
• Thursday 08 on the streets of the historic center you can admire the “Petegoletsia”, an ancient rite. Outside on the balconies of the houses, the women gossip among themselves (hence the name). The subject of their chatter will be political figures, public people, and even… the neighbors’ laundry! All recited in the traditional Corfiot language, sometimes satirical, embarrassing and bordering on the vulgar.
  All accompanied by music and popular songs.
• Sunday 11 “Sir Carnival” parade. You can admire masks and costumed characters parading through the city center. Sir Carnival closes the procession, a puppet who personifies all the evils and misfortunes of the past year, whose fate is already sealed: the stake! Songs and dances will follow to celebrate.
• Tuesday 13: Mardi Gras parade, with music, dances and songs.