Crete’s Rethymno Carnival 2018: Partying On

Since 1914 the harbor town of Rethymno, in North-Central Crete, has celebrated a magnificent festive Carnival of Rethymno. This year, as in the past, the town folk will present; parties, masquerades, traditional dancing and music, theater performances, parades, and many other events.

Today, the legendary Treasure Hunt is the stuff of legend on Crete, and the lightheartedness of all the Rethymno events brings hope for better days through the coming of Spring. Last week Rethymnians paid tribute to “His Excellence, the King of Carnival”, and the start of the carnival festivities, but fortunately, there are many days left for enjoying one of Crete’s most enjoyable events. The video below from organizers offers a preview of this year’s events.

Coming up tomorrow, Saturday 10th February and Sunday 11th locals and visitors will enjoy the Children’s Treasure Hunt 2018, and the start on Sunday of the City Festival at Mikrasiaton Square.

This fascinating series of events brings the whole town to focus on creating one gigantic party atmosphere. During these weeks people work together in order to organize all the festivities that take place in Rethymno and the surrounding areas. Most of these workers are volunteers who contribute their passion and efforts to see city’s carnival becoming a huge hit each year. This year the Organizing Committee of the Carnival are Pepi Birliraki, Popi Diniakou-Kriovrisanaki, Elena Patsachaki, Kostas Moschakis, Manos Palafoytis, Giorgos Hasikos, Katerina Manetaki & Nikos Markantonis. The closing ceremony for the carnival is scheduled for Sunday, February 18th when the carnival culminates in one great float parade. In the past, some  15,000 plus revelers participated, and this year promises to be no exception.

Those interested should visit the official website linked above, call: +30 283 104 0152, or check out Rethymno Carnival Facebook pages here.