Thousands of locals in Sochos, Greece, joined as carnival celebrations returned to the town after a three-year absence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented festivities held in 2020, 2021, and 2022 from taking place.

Apokries, is the Greek festival season preceding Lent which sees revellers take part in eating, drinking, and dancing alongside extravagant parades with long floats.

After three-year ban, the Greek carnival season returned combining pagan-rooted festivals and huge modern street parties and celebrations all across the country.

During the Carnival weekend, an impressive event takes place in village of Sochos Thessaloniki (27/2/2023). The Koudounophoroi of “Merion”, having their roots in the ancient Dionysian cult, present a unique spectacle, attracting the interest of thousands of visitors, both in Greece and abroad. It is a custom closely linked to the tradition of the village and plays the role of not only a carnival celebration but also a custom that brings the harvest of the inhabitants. The carnival has been awarded many times by European exhibitions and programmes such as “Masques d’Europe”.

At the same time, the Greek city of Xanthi, is moved in high-energy carnival rhythms for the entire weekend (25-27/02/2023) after three years of covid-induced restrictions. Τhousands of locals and visitors delved into the carnival and its events. This massive festival of joy sees people of all ages dressed in costumes, dancing in the streets of the city.

Apokries is Greece’s Carnival: a three-week period of feasting and costumed festivities. Just like Carnival in other parts of the world, it kicks off the last week before Lent begins. Despite its clear connection to Christianity today, Apokries celebrations are not sanctioned by the Orthodox church, due to some of its roots with Dionysus.