Zakynthos Carnival 2026: A Visitor’s Guide

Updated 10/02/26..
Due to the sudden death of Vice Mayor, Panagiotis Koklas all events up until the 14th of February are Cancelled. The programme below has been updated to provide precise information.

​​Events have already started as Zakynthos sheds its quiet island pace and transforms into a vibrant stage of music, colour, and celebration. Carnival 2026 promises weeks of joy, tradition, and playful spectacle — blending Venetian elegance, local folklore, satire, and family-friendly fun.
Running from late January through Clean Monday (23 February 2026), Carnival is one of the most exciting times to experience Zakynthos. Locals and visitors alike are invited to take part in parades, masquerade balls, treasure hunts, children’s festivities, live music, and unforgettable traditional feasts.
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official programme of events for Zakynthos Carnival 2026. (updated)

THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2026 (TSIKNOPEMPTI – “BBQ Thursday”) 
The whole island grills from the morning!!!
Grilling festivities in the neighborhoods of the town.
11:00 a.m.
Town criers in the streets of the city. From Agios Lazaros to Agios Markos Square, announcing the opening of Carnival 2026.
(Coordinator of the Town Criers: Alexandra Komioti)
12:00 p.m.
The Amateur Theatre Group of Agios Kyrikos “O Martelaos”, together with the local community, invite you to a Tsiknopempti celebration at Angeriko Square, with plenty of wine, dancing, and singing.
Carnival Dance “Piccolo Party” at the Athrio Resto Bar entertainment venue in Alykanas, organized by Fiesta Crew Vip together with the Parents’ Associations of kindergartens and primary schools of Katastari, Gerakaria, and Riza 3.
6:30 p.m. – ARCH OF AGIOS LAZAROS
THE CARNIVAL ENTERS THE CITY
Town criers, the Zakynthos Municipal Philharmonic, the Machairado Municipal Philharmonic, and the Zakynthos Acrobatic & Artistic Gymnastics Club “Olympiada” will escort the float of King Carnival and the Carnival Masquerade themed “The Great Circus”, heading to Agios Markos Square, accompanied by the Carnival Committee.
The Mayor will officially declare the opening of Carnival 2026. (No fireworks display) 
Live carnival music will follow by WHITE MUSES by Elena Liri.
(Event Coordinators: Eleni Vlassopoulou, Vicky Vitsou – Artistic Float Design: Giannis Milesis)
7:00 p.m.
Tsiknopempti celebration in Exochora.
The Cultural Association “O Platanos” organizes a grilling celebration in the village square.
7:30 p.m.
The Cultural Association of Kato Gerakari “Evangelistria” invites everyone to grill and celebrate at its venue.
8:30 p.m.
The Zakynthos Art Workshop organizes an open-air celebration with traditional and carnival dances and songs, free for all lovers of tradition, in front of ARTOS & YGEIA, at the intersection of Alexandrou Roma (Rouga Square) and Dionysiou Stefanou Street.

Masquerade Balls, Theatre & Venetian Traditions13 – 15 February

• Traditional Ball Maske masquerade dances
• Carnival theatre performances
• Venetian-style evening promenades (passeggiata veneziana) through the historic town centre
• Children’s Carnival Parade (Piccolo Carnival) with performances and dance shows in Agios Markos Square

FRIDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 20268:00 p.m.
The Amateur Theatre Group of Agios Kyrikos Zakynthos “O Martelaos” invites you to Popolaros Center in Ampelokipi. Costumes optional – everyone welcome.
8:30 p.m.
Carnival Dance organized by the Lithakia Cultural Association at “Panos” venue in Laganas.
9:00 p.m.
BALL MASKE at the Zakynthos Cultural Center, Solomos Square.
Organized by the Municipal Employees’ Association (old Zakynthian tradition).

SATURDAY, 14 FEBRUARY 20263:00 p.m.
Angeliki Kolyva Cultural Center, Skoulikado.
The Folk Theatre Group of the Cultural Association “Erotokritos” presents the traditional satire “Saint Gryfonas’ Underpants” by Antonis Korfias (Skarpas).
(In case of bad weather, the performance will take place indoors.)
7:00 p.m.
Zakynthos Municipal Theatre – Concert by the Piraeus Music School, featuring:
• Wind Ensemble
• Smyrna Ensemble
• Cosmos Band
Carnival Dance at Zante Village, Alykanas, in cooperation with the Cultural Associations of Pounentezoi, Maries, and Exochora (O Platanos).
Agios Markos Square – Carnival Dance of “Fiore di Levante” at Zakynthos Club.
*Please note that the Passeggiata Veneziana, has been moved to Thursday 19th February 

SUNDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2026 (CARNIVAL SUNDAY)
3:00 p.m. – PICCOLO CARNIVAL
• Parade starting from Agios Lazaros, with children parading through the town with imagination and joy.
• Gymnastics performance by Olympiada Zakynthos at Agios Markos Square.
• Latin, Commercial & Zumba dances by One More Dance by Korina Visvardi.
• Cheerleading performance by Asteria Zakynthou.
• Followed by A.C.T Carnival Party by A.C.T San Paramithi at Solomos Square.
4:30 p.m.
Children’s Carnival Party at the Lithakia Cultural Association (old Primary School), organized by the Lithakia Cultural Association.


MONDAY, 16 FEBRUARY 2026
4:00–7:00 p.m. – CARNIVAL TOWN
Zakynthos Cultural Center, Solomos Square.
A magical carnival experience full of joy, music, dancing, and sparkle.
Wear your costume and live the magic!


TUESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2026
5:00–8:00 p.m. – CARNIVAL TOWN OPENING
Agioi Saranta Square.
Ride the Carnival Train of Joy along Alexandrou Roma Street.
Each stop offers a unique experience.
(In case of rain, the event will take place at the Cultural Center.


WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2026
4:00–7:00 p.m. – CARNIVAL TOWN CLOSING
Zakynthos Cultural Center, Solomos Square.
Mask-making workshop, music, magic, and a final party to the skies.
Artistic supervision: Athina Lykouresi.


THURSDAY, 19 FEBRUARY 2026
8.00p.m
Passeggiata Veneziana.
You will have the opportunity to take photos of the Venetian Costumes as the team parade through the town in true Venetian style.. The team will start from Agios Sarantes in Zakynthos town and make their way to St. Marcos Square.  
9:00 p.m.
Carnival Dance at the Zakynthos Cultural Center, organized by the Zakynthos Municipal Philharmonic (Machairado).

FRIDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2026
6:00 p.m.
Carnival procession by the Sarakinado Cultural Association, with traditional music, dances, ribbons, and satire, from Agioi Saranta Square to Agios Markos Square.
7:30 p.m.
Zakynthian Traditional Feast with violin and guitar at Agios Markos Square.
9:00 p.m.
Carnival Dance at the Angeliki Kolyva Cultural Center, Skoulikado.
10:00 p.m.
Traditional Carnival Festa at Zakynthos Club, Agios Markos Square.
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SATURDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2026   
12.00 noon.... Passeggiata Veneziana.
You will have the opportunity to take photos of the Venetian Costumes as the team walk through the town. The team will start from the Regional Offices located in Zakynthos town and make their way to Solomos Square. ​
3:00 p.m.
Lithakia Cultural Center – Folk Theatre performance “Ta Sympetheria” by Pavlina Riganelli.
7:00 p.m.
Venetian Wedding – 16th Century Zakynthos at the Municipal Theatre.
A historic reenactment with costumes, music, and traditions, inspired by Antonis Milanos.
9:30 p.m.
Evening Carnival Parade “Red Night”, from Agioi Saranta Square to Agios Markos Square.
Face painting from 8:30 p.m. for participants.
Followed by a Municipal Concert at Agios Markos Square.

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SUNDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2026
​3:00 p.m. – THE GRAND PARADE
Featuring Count Carnival and all carnival groups, from Agios Lazaros Arch to Solomos Square.
7:30 p.m. – POVERO CARNIVAL
The symbolic “funeral” of Carnival, concluding with the burning of King Carnival at Solomos Square.
The Mayor will then declare the opening of Carnival 2027.
8:30 p.m.
Marouloskorda tradition at Agios Nikolaos of the Mole.
9:30 p.m.
Cutting of the traditional Lagana bread and wishes for Good Lent at the Cultural Center.

CLEAN MONDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2026
​Koulouma celebrations across Zakynthos
12:00 p.m. – Koulouma in Tsilivi
Traditional foods, music, dances, and festivities by local cultural associations.
12:00 p.m. – Koulouma in Maries Village
Live music, Lenten foods, kite-flying competition, and traditional dances.