PATRAS PATRAS CARNIVALCARNIVAL

The Patras The Patras Carnival, Carnival, ((Patrino Patrino karnavalikarnavali)) is the is the largest event of its largest event of its kind in kind in GreeceGreece and and one of the biggest one of the biggest inin Europe Europe. It has . It has many many years of years of history. The events history. The events begin on 17 begin on 17 January and last January and last up toup to Shrove Shrove MondayMonday. .

The carnival of The carnival of Patras Patras is a is a variety of events that variety of events that includes balls, includes balls, parades,parades,treasure hunttreasure hunt, , kids’ carnival etc. Its kids’ carnival etc. Its apogee is in the last apogee is in the last weekend of Carnival with weekend of Carnival with the Saturday evening the Saturday evening parade of carnival groups, parade of carnival groups, the extravagant Sunday the extravagant Sunday parade of parade of floats floats and and groups, and finally the groups, and finally the ritual burning of king ritual burning of king carnival at the harbour of carnival at the harbour of Patras. Its characteristics Patras. Its characteristics are spontaneity, are spontaneity, improvisation, inspiration improvisation, inspiration and volunteerismand volunteerism..

The lights, the fast flow, colors, The lights, the fast flow, colors, spontaneity and fun combine to spontaneity and fun combine to provide a spectacular sight on provide a spectacular sight on

Saturday night.Saturday night. The carnival floats, groups and The carnival floats, groups and

spectators after the parade, spectators after the parade, participate in an endless participate in an endless

celebration going through the celebration going through the streets all night.streets all night.