Patra Carnival Launch Postponed Due to Bad Weather Forecast

The launch of the Patra carnival (Patrino karnavali), the largest event of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe, has been put on hold due to a bad weather forecast.

Fearing heavy rain, local authorities announced on Thursday that the opening event, originally scheduled for Saturday, January 16, will take place on Saturday, January 23.

Having some 180 years of history, the Patra carnival begins on January 17 and lasts up to Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera).

It includes a series of festive events and climaxes during the last weekend of the carnival with the Saturday evening parade of carnival groups, the extravagant Sunday parade of floats and groups, and finally the ritual burning of the carnival king at the St. Nikolaos Street pier in the harbour of Patra.