Parades

Athens residents who aren't planning to go anywhere for the long Carnival and Clean Monday weekend are in for a treat, as nearly 60,000 cars passed through the toll stations leading out of the Greek capital between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday.

The exodus is expected to continue through Saturday.

Unique carnival customs in cities and villages of Greece that impress their visitors every year

The Stavros Niarchos Cultural Foundation (137 Syngrou, snfcc.org) has a rich Apokries (Greek Carnival) agenda planned for visitors and locals alike, as music performances and family happenings set the tone for a vibrant two-day celebration in various parts of the center's park. On March 17, experience Brazilian rhythms by Bloco Swingueira and rock 'n' roll classics by the Jaguar Bombs.

France's northern seaside city of Dunkirk is revelling in its increasingly popular annual carnival where tens of thousands dress up in eccentric outfits, dance in the streets and catch herrings outside the town hall.

Avoid being alone in a crowd, opt for canned drinks over potentially drugged cocktails, scan a QR code to access emergency resources as Rio enters carnival season, there has been a flood of advice on how women can stay safe.

The opening ceremony of the Patra Carnival, or Patrino karnavali, which is the largest event of its kind in Greece, takes place this Saturday in the western port city's central Georgiou Square. 

This year's theme is "So what if they wind us up? Our dreams continue to lift us up. So be unplugged!" 

Sofia Pride was held in the Bulgarian capital for the 16th year in a row. There was a concert in the Prince's Garden, which was followed by a peace procession.

For the first time, the event was openly supported by 11 Bulgarian families, who invited everyone to join Pride Parade as a sign of support for people from the LGBTIQ+ community.

The carnival street parade, the main event of the annual Patra Carnival, which takes place in the runup to Orthodox Lent, will be held for the first time after three years, the local mayor announced.

The port city if Patra in the Peloponnese had to cancel several events and the street parade in the past few years due to coronavirus restrictions.

The parade will be held between 20-23 October

After two long years without its frenetic festival of sparkling sequins, sultry samba and towering floats, Rio de Janeiro is holding its famed carnival parades for the first time since COVID-19 hit Brazil.