The main, and permanent over the last few years, celebrations of the Carnival of Patras are:
The Opening Ceremony (since 1989): Irrespectively of when the Triodio falls [the three-week period preceding the first Sunday of Lent], it is customary for the Carnival of Patras on start on the day of St. Anthony (17 January). The opening ceremony takes place on George Square and includes pantomimes and patters, dances, endless music and fireworks.
Tsiknopempti in the Upper Town (since the 70s): On Tsiknopempti [A compound word originating from the words tsikna = the smell of roast food and Pempti = Thursday], roasting meat is a nation-wide custom, as the following day marks the beginning of Lent, until Easter. The festivities in the Upper Town bring to mind the popular version of the Carnival of Patras, as the streets fill will outdoor barbeques, live band music and folk musicians, choir concerts with songs from the first half of the 20th century e.c.t.
Street and Square Events: Performances organized by street theatre troupes invited from all over Greece (especially since 1999) and similar shows by local amateur art groups, and even carnival groups, give a distinctive color to the carnival evenings in the city's streets and squares.
Plastic Arts Exhibitions, theatre performances and concerts: During the whole carnival period, art events are organized, with themes based on, or related to, the Carnival. Amongst them are the events hosted in the framework of the initiative Carnival - Arts (since 2000) e.c.t. the exhibition (since 1999) of the costumes-masquerades of all groups participating in the Carnival is particularly interesting, as it provides the opportunity for people interesting in participation to select their group.
The Children's carnival: (1996). A spectacular, yet substantial, take on the traditional baby rally. The Children's Carnival includes a parade with the participation of masqueraded children's groups from nurseries, kindergartens, musical schools ect. Over 5000 children participate whereas the festival is completed by numerous game events and constructive activities. Their objective is to introduce the younger generation to the Carnival and to distinguish their abilities in artistic expression related to aesthetic or satirical masquerading.
The Treasure Hunt Games: As we have already mentioned, they take place in George Square, on the streets, in the municipal theatre and all over the city, especially during the navigation exercises. Since 1992, on the last Friday, an exhibition entitled "Best of", hosted at George Square, presents the selected efforts, with the highest marks, of these extempore artists in dance, theater, pantomime and other competitions.
Carnival Dances: Apart from the parties organized by the Carnival Groups, the Gymnasiums and the Lyceums, which take place every night at various city clubs, almost all professional, athletic and social clubs of Patras organize dances at taverns and clubs, as do the societies of Greeks from other areas, who reside in Patras (Citizens from the Eptanisa complex, Crete, Hepeirus ect). During the last three weeks of Carnival, the whole city, in each and every corner, and in all suitable venues, bursts with life during these dances. The most prestigious dances are held at the Municipal Theatre, while, crowning all, is the Dance of the Municipality (since 1987), based on the theme of "In olden days." and relevant attire.
Bourboulia: This is a traditional custom, exclusive to Patras. Afternoon dances where ladies enter free, without neither ticker nor partner, but with a long, airy domino and a mask, in order to avoid recognition and select their dancing partners by their own initiative. During an age when the relation of the two sexes was under close supervision, the Bourboulia formed an annual escape and the location of both real and imagined sensual adventures. Today they take place for tradition's sake.
The Saturday Night Parade (since 1987): This is also called the "Podarati" [Parade on foot], as only the Treasure Hunt groups participate, without their floats. Night, bright lights, an overwhelming stream of people, colors and high spirits combine, creating a spectacular scene.
The Great Sunday Parade: The most eminent event of the Patras Carnival. The leading Municipality Carnival floats are followed by the endless Treasure Hunt groups. Despite the fast pace of the parade, the huge number of participants (40.000 over the past years) means that it lasts for hours. It crosses the entire city, under the eyes of tens of thousands spectators from streets, balconies and tiers and is broadcast by the National TV Network, as is the Saturday parade.
Closing Ceremony (since 1992): An extension of the traditional festivities based around the burning of the float of the Carnival King, with concerts, dances, a farewell to the carnival past, announcements about the carnival to come and countless fireworks. It takes place at the port on Sunday night and is also broadcast on TV.
Award ceremony: It takes place on the following day (Ash Monday) in an enclosed public venue with the participation of representatives of the Treasure Hunt groups and the members of the organizing and evaluating committees. The scores of the Game and the parade are announced and the awards are conferred.
