Whether you like cultural events or not, the Carnival at Corfu is sure to get you celebrating for no real reason. However, the locals have enough reason to rejoice, as the carnival marks end of evil and beginning of a new year, free from sins. This is the purpose behind the carnival, where Ancient Greeks celebrated it in the beginning of spring to appease the Gods, and get a good harvest throughout the year. Held in February end or beginning of March, it is quite a popular event in the region.

The carnival was more of a traditional event and solely held for the purpose of warding off evil and cleansing the island of sins. However, todays events are influenced by the Venetian carnival to a large extent and a number of funny activities have been added in the past years. For instance, the idea of wearing masks or strange attire has come directly from the Venetian Carnival. Some even add a weird idea at the last minute, thus surprising the visitors and locals alike.

The main event to look out for is the Great Parade, which is held in Spianada and Liston square on the third and final Sunday after the carnival begins. You can see the locals all dressed up in traditional costumes, some even wearing masks, joining in groups at the square. Accompanied with traditional music and dancing, the parade slowly spreads to the entire island, taking an atmosphere of festivity along with it.

The King Carnival is said to carry the sins of the locals and is held responsible for all the bad things that have taken place during the last year. The aim of the parade is to destroy him. Thus, the end of the parade is marked by cremation of the King Carnival in a bonfire, followed by reading of his will.

The Gossips, known as the Corfiot Petegoletsia in Corfu, also forms part of the carnival and is a form of street play. As the name suggests, it involves gossip from around the town, where actors talk to each other from across the street standing by the windows. The play ends with traditional mandolin music accompanied with dance.

Apart from the usual sightseeing, the local customs are bound to take you by surprise. From colorful costumes to funny traditions to see, yourflights to corfu greece may not have been that interesting, but your stay at Corfu, will sure be one to remember.