Xanthis Carnival has its own history and route through time. It now has fanatic friends who wear their new costume every year and parade with the Carnival King all around this beautiful Thrace town.

Xanthi is a pole of attraction during this period.
Especially during the last decade there have been made important efforts and now, the carnival is almost equal to that of Patras.

Until the 1950’s the carnival celebrations in Xanthi were mostly folkloric. Dancing groups and cultural clubs from the Thrace prefectures participated in the celebrations. Even today they are inextricable part of the carnival along with the hidden treasure haunt, the float parade, etc.
Every night in the central plateau and the municipal theater are carried out celebrations with music bands and dancing clubs. Highly impressive is the relive of old customs.

Special Features of Xanthis Carnival
The Last Carnival Sunday relives the “Tzaros burn” custom.
“Tzaros” or “Tzarous” was a human dummy, put on a pile of pournaria (grasses). According to tradition “Tzaros” was burnt the last Carnival Sunday at the central square in order to keep away fleas during summer period.
It is said that refugees brought this custom from Samakov of East Thrace. It now relives every year in the homonym settlement, which is situated close to the bridge of river Kosinthos in Xanthi.
It is said that the nomination “Tzaros” came from the special sound “tz, tz, tz...” that came out of the buss combustion.
After the combustion follows a spectacular show with fireworks and a traditional feast.
For more information concerning the 2007 carnival program visit the official Xanthis Carnival.