Rethymnon Carnival: Crete’s Rio De Janeiro
The Rethymnon Carnival brings together 20,000 people and has everyone singing, dancing and partying all day long. This is a Greek festival to be at…
Rethymnon Carnival in Crete: A Century of Fun
Around the world, carnival is associated with grand and colorful parades and masquerade parties, complete with costumes, tons of confetti, a drunken good time and lots of eating. It is kind of like the storm before the calm of abiding by pre-Easter fasting traditions.
Carnival: What Is It?
For those not familiar, these Western Christian celebrations mark the three-week-long period, commencing 60 days before Easter Sunday. The faithful also prepare for Lent and stop eating meat.
Some of the most famous carnivals take place in New Orleans, Venice and the carnival capital of the world Rio de Janiero. While no carnival on the planet can compete with the scale of two million people attending Rio Carnival daily, Crete has its answer to colorful carnival fun: Rethymnon.
Greece’s Diverse Carnival Traditions
In Greece, the party was going on way before Christianity. Feasts and fun times were organized in the name of Dionysus, the god of wine, theater arts and fertility.
Today, a bit of both Christian elements, ancient Greek elements and historic influences have merged at the most popular carnival celebrations in the country.
As a guest at Rethymnon Carnival, I found out Cretans really love to party and they do it with passion, creativity and outright joy.
Here’s how it went and why you should go…
Back in Rethymnon: Thanks, Rimondi Fountain!
Rethymnon is a gorgeous little port city that has maintained its beautiful Venetian and Byzantine architecture. As a result, Rethymnon’s old town is a romantic landscape of eras bygone.
I had visited briefly for the first time last year and drank water from the landmark Rimondi Fountain. So, as the legend goes, I found myself back in Rethymnon.
The Rethymnon Carnival Begins
Thirty plus teams participated in the Rethymnon Carnival Parade. Each team organized a theme, costumes and floats. The floats, called armas, all varied in size and complexity.
Some of the parade team themes were obviously very political. I was a bit saddened a bit by the whole President Trump and the U.S.A. portrayal.
In many ways, I agreed with the message of their theme. As an American expat, I must admit it was sad for me to think of the state of my homeland today and the negative perceptions people have. But, I won’t get all political here.
The Burning of the Rethymnon Carnival King
The Rethymnon Carnival Parade ended around 6 p.m. and that was when we followed the huge crowd to the beach front to watch the Burning of the Carnival King. I didn’t know what to expect actually. I can tell you no kings were harmed!
The Burning is a tradition during which the first float is set on fire, a symbolic way to say goodbye to the celebration and move on to the pre-Easter traditions like Clean Monday, Great Lent and eventually Easter Week.
After the fireworks, Rethymnon just kind of burst into an open-air street party. There were concert stages set up, live music, dancing in the streets and families strolling about the boardwalk. Bars and restaurants were overflowing with people. It was a joyous end to a full day of tradition.
Conclusion: Rethymnon Carnival in Crete
The Rethymnon Carnival is the third largest carnival in Greece, after Patras and Xanthi. Some say it’s the second largest. In any case, it’s a very organized event that Rethymnians prepare for months.
Facts and Tips About Rethymnon Carnival in Crete
- The Rethymnon Carnival is more than 100 years old. It started in 1914.
- Events are free of charge to attend.
- If you are driving to the big parade, be sure to arrive at the city parking by the harbor as early as 11 a.m. to find a space. Otherwise, overflow parking is available within city limits and buses can transport you in.
- It has grown to be the largest Carnival parade in Crete, Greece’s largest island.
- The Rethymnon Carnival is also one of the largest in Greece.
- Rethymnon is also known for other significant cultural events including its annual Renaissance Festival.
- The city of Rethymnon holds events for the month leading up to the Rethymnon Carnival. For details check the city’s website: www.rethymno.gr
By Air
International travelers arrive in Crete by air, usually with a change in Athens. You can find the best flight deals with Travelocity.
By Ferry
Ferries connect between Heraklion port in Crete to Piraeus port in Athens. Travel time by ferry is about 9 to 10 hours, and the journey is typically an overnight trip. For my review of this journey,check out: Overnight Ferry to Crete with Minoan Lines.
Getting Around Crete
The easiest way to get from point A to point B on the island is by driving. An international car rental company I can highly recommend is Avis Europe.
A local company I can also recommend is Rental Center Crete.
Where to Stay in Crete
Check out my post: Where to Stay in Crete for my tried and tested suggestions.
What to Do in Crete
For a rundown of what I experienced the first time around during my visit to Crete, check out my post: 10 Things I Learned in Crete in 7 Days
Some of the best beaches in Greece are in Crete, check out: Photo Tour: Beaches of Crete to get inspired.
*Travel Greece, Travel Europe thanks the City of Rethymnon for making this unique experience possible.
Pin For Later
Have you ever attended a fantastic Carnival around the world, or in Greece? I’d love to hear about it. Comment in the comment box below!
Hi Marissa,
I was there too and it was amazing! Thanks for the great article. It reflects the great atmosphere as far as it gets with pictures, but you have to really see it live! Good job!
Hi Frank, Oh, thanks so much for your comments! So nice you were there too. I do think the atmosphere is so unique and totally agree with you that you have to be there in person to get the true feeling and spirit of it all. Was it your first carnival?
Wow so many photos! It looks like it was a lot of fun! Love Rethymnon!
So many things to shoot! It was a great time. The family loved it too. Rethymnon is a gem in Crete 🙂
Carnival in Rethymno is the event of the winter and it’s not only the weekend but all the month is full with event like treasure hunt game which this year awarded by Guinness for the biggest game in the word !!!!
Kalimera Giorgos, I agree it is a wonderful event. Thanks for pointing the month-long celebration fact! I mention it in the travel tips portion of the post… I wish I could have been there for all the fun to really describe what goes on the WHOLE MONTH! I didn’t know that about the Guinness World Record award! How cool!
Wow, some of the costumes were really inspiring! Great fun!!! And you were a real cowgirl!!!! Waiting to see more from Rethymno cause I haven’t been there!
Hey Callie, LOL. Yes, those were actually my real clothes from the USA. LOL. So, it was an easy and real costume. You guys would love it! Definitely arrange to go. xx
Good job describing our Carnival, Marissa! Just to be precise though, its Rimondi fountain, not Raimondi! Keep up the good work!
Hi Helen, Thanks for your encouraging comments. I really appreciate them — especially since you are a local. Oh, right! I changed it to Rimondi. I had seen it as Raimondi on many sites but I see the locals refer to thire famous fountain as Rimondi. Thanks so much for alerting me. 🙂
Marissa I had no idea that the Carnival there was so big. I am too old to stand on my feet for five hours. Haha! But it is a fun time. We have a children’s carnival in my town and of course there is Patra which is a big one. Lot’s of great photos!!
Hi Mary, LOL. Yah, I hear you! I was pooped after the parade. I don’t know where children get their energy. LOL. Have you been to the Patra one? I’m curious to go to all the carnivals in Greece now. 🙂
Nice photos! Looks like it was a grand time. Rethymno is a favourite city of mine in Crete.
Thanks! Yes, so many photos. Rethymno is a special city, I agree.
Such colorful pictures because of the carnaval. Love this event. But I am not sure if I will enjoy the city with the carnaval frenzy. I am more a quite person which party less and enjoy more. But I never been in Crete before. I must go viti.
Hi Christian, Yes, perhaps you may just enjoy a quiet kind of time especially if its your first time in Crete! I hope you go. It’s a special destination in Greece.
Rethymno could be the new Rio! I was gutted to miss carnival in South America, Greece is much closer to home.
Thanks for sharing, it sounds like you had an amazing time.
Hi! Ha ha it is definitely the Greek Rio. Definitely go one day. It has piqued my interest to see all the other big carnivals in Greece. Lots of fun indeed.
That’s an amazing parade! I love your photos. I’m from Slovenia and we have a parade here too. it’s even international! You should come check it out next time!
Hi there! Oh thanks so much. I’d love to visit Slovenia one day. I didn’t know you had a parade there! Cool. Of course, I’d love to be there one day to experience it.
The Carnival Rethymnon in Crete seems like an event to not miss! From your photos you can feel the energy and heightened atmosphere. I feel like you would most definitely need to experience it in person. And glad to know that it is fun for children as well. Love the photos.
Glad you felt the energy from the photos. It was definitely an event full of cheer and happiness. It was wonderful to see so many kinds of people enjoying the same event. Totally wonderful for families. 🙂
Wow! I never knew that Greece has carnivals like this! Everyone is so dressed up! Looks like so much fun. Would love to check it out if I ever visit Crete 🙂
Yes, it is a thing here in Greece. In Rethymnon, it is a big deal indeed! A really fun local experience.
WOW! This is so fun and exciting! I have never attended Rethymnon Carnival and now I eagerly want to see this after reading your post. Great photos!
Thanks! Yes, it was very fun. Lots of energy and excitement packed in one weekend and all in the name of tradition. I hope you go!