Carnival in Rethymno

The town of Rethymno organises the greatest carnival parade on the island of Crete and one of the most impressive of Greece. It is worth mentioning that apart from the magnificent parade, various other events take place in the framework of the carnival festivities. On Shrove Thursday a street party is organised at Platanos Square and at the Church “Mikri Panagia”, with live music for everyone’s taste, as well as titbits and wine. All the locals look forward to the event, as it has developed into the largest open-air party the town has ever organized.

On the Sunday before the great parade, a party is organised for the participating groups. Of course, the party, which includes plenty of food, wine and dancing, continues until the early hours of the morning. On Shrove Friday, two days before the actual Carnival parade, one gets a first impression of what it will be like, as the parade goes through the streets of the town at night.
More than 4.000 people work feverishly for months in order to present their masks and carriages on the great Carnival parade.

Shrove Monday in the picturesque villages of the Prefecture of Rethymno: Revival of traditions and customs in picturesque villages of the Prefecture of Rethymno challenges and invites everybody to experience an unforgettable Shrove Monday.

The villages of Meronas at the foot of Mount Psiloritis and of Melidoni welcome hundreds of aficionados of the old customs, including Carnival games, happenings and satires. Customs like the “kidnapping of the bride” and the “Kantis” (the smudging of people, in combination with good wine and Cretan music) offer a unique experience.