Event Details
Welcome to Corfu Carnival 2027
Corfu Carnival 2027 runs from 21 February to 14 March 2027. The grand finale is the Grand Parade on Sunday, 14 March 2027, the final Sunday before Orthodox Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), which in 2027 falls on 15 March. Known in Greek as "Ta Karnavalia", the Corfu Carnival is one of Europe's most distinctive and colourful festivals. Over 400 years of Venetian rule have left a unique stamp on the celebration: satirical floats, Venetian-style costumes, marching philharmonic bands, and wholly original local customs such as the Petegoletsa gossip theatre make Corfu Carnival an unforgettable experience.
Highlights
- Grand Parade on 14 March 2027 with enormous satirical floats through the Corfu Old Town
- Petegoletsa – improvised balcony gossip theatre in the local Corfiot dialect at Plakada tou Agiou Spyridona
- Tsiknopempti – the smoky Grill Thursday with open fires and feasting throughout the streets
- Performances by Corfu's historic philharmonic bands through the Old Town
- Children's Carnival parties and costumed parades
- Perantzades – costumed promenades through the historic centre
- Lyric evenings at the Historic Town Hall featuring opera arias and Italian canzonettas
- Traditional village rituals and festivals across the island
Program & Key Dates 2027
The official program is published by the Municipality of Central Corfu and the Diapontia Islands a few weeks before the start. The overall framework for 2027 is confirmed: since Orthodox Easter 2027 falls on 2 May, the Triodion cycle opens on 21 February 2027 and concludes with Clean Monday on 15 March 2027. The main events concentrate in the final two weeks of the festival:
- From 21 February 2027 – Official season opening, first costume events and philharmonic performances
- Tsiknopempti (Grill Thursday) – Street barbecues, feasting and folk music across the Old Town
- Petegoletsa evening – Satirical balcony gossip theatre at Plakada tou Agiou Spyridona (evening of the penultimate Carnival Thursday)
- 14 March 2027 – Grand Parade: the Carnival's climax, with satirical floats and thousands of costumed participants winding through Corfu Town
The Petegoletsa – Corfu's Unique Gossip Theatre
The Petegoletsa is one of the most original traditions of Corfu Carnival and has no equivalent anywhere else in the world. On the evening of the penultimate Carnival Thursday, actors take up positions on balconies around the Plakada tou Agiou Spyridona in the Old Town. In improvised, rhyming Corfiot dialect, they comment on political events, local scandals and social issues with sharp wit and cutting humour. The crowds below laugh, jeer and cheer. For anyone who understands Greek, this is the purest expression of the island's spirit.
Admission & Costs
The vast majority of Corfu Carnival events are free of charge. The Grand Parade, the Petegoletsa and all street processions are open to everyone. Some indoor events, such as the Lyric Evenings at the Historic Town Hall, require advance reservation due to limited seating. Reservations can be made by calling +30 693 466 5225 (10:00 – 13:00).
Visitor Tips
- For the Grand Parade on 14 March, arrive early; the Liston promenade fills quickly. Aim to secure a spot along the route by 11:00 AM.
- Wear a costume – Venetian masks and simple costumes are available from street vendors throughout the Old Town.
- Book accommodation in Corfu Town as far in advance as possible; hotels in the historic centre sell out quickly for the final Carnival weekend.
- The detailed official program is published four to six weeks before Carnival at the Municipality website and on discover-corfu.com.
- March weather in Corfu can be cool and changeable; bring a light jacket for evening events.
- The Old Town is largely pedestrianised; staying within or close to the historic centre makes it easy to join spontaneous events and street parties.
