For enthusiasts of meat and merriment, this day is when one should be in Greece.
Tsiknopempti is part of the preparations for Easter Lent and is part of the three-week customs known as Apokries, also known as the carnival period. Tsiknopempti is celebrated all over the country and represents a collective, communal entrance into the fasting period.

Every year, on this day, in Greece, you will see barbecues set up outdoors: in squares, on terraces, in streets, in front of stores and restaurants, in church courtyards, on the road. The aim is to spread the smell of grilled meat (“tsikna”) through the air. Music is everywhere, and people gather and celebrate together.

What is Tsiknopempti and how is it celebrated in Greece?

Tsiknopempti is part of the three-week customs before Easter Lent known as Apokries. The name comes from the word “τσίκνα” (tsikna), meaning the smell of barbecue smoke, and “Πέμπτη” (pempti), meaning Thursday. According to Orthodox tradition, Wednesday and Friday are fasting days, so Thursday is the ideal day for such a feast. Tsiknopempti is celebrated 11 days before Clean Monday (or Ash Monday).
For more details on the customs during this period and where the biggest carnivals are held, you can read in our article HERE.

The carnival part of the Apokries customs has its roots in ancient times, when in honor of the god of wine and merriment, Dionysus, grand feasts with music, dance, and abundance of meat were organized. Similarly to how families and friends gather around a barbecue on Tsiknopempti today, in ancient Greece, feasts held great significance, and meat and wine were considered gifts to the gods.
The other part of the customs, to which Tsiknopempti belongs, is the liturgical, church canons known as Triodion.
Today, Tsiknopempti is part of the preparations for Easter Lent and a period in which people bid farewell to meat with song, dance, and plenty of food.

How is Tsiknopempti celebrated in Greece?

On this day, the whole of Greece smells of barbecue. Taverns, restaurants, and homes are filled with smoke and the scent of grilled meat, as it is customary to eat as much barbecue as possible on that day. Street celebrations with music, traditional dances, and parades are organized. It is especially lively in cities like Patras, Thessaloniki, and Athens, where the festive atmosphere is felt at every turn.

Traditionally, the menu includes souvlaki, kebabs, bifteki, sausages, and other meat specialties, along with the inevitable Greek wine and brandy (tsipouro). Besides meat, various appetizers like tzatziki, grilled peppers, and cheese from the grill are served.
Although the barbecue is a symbol of Tsiknopempti throughout Greece, different regions have their own specialties. In Crete, antikristo lamb is often prepared, in Macedonia and Epirus, spiced sudjuk and sausages are popular, while in Athens and Thessaloniki, various meat specialties like bifteki stuffed with cheese and souvlaki marinated in local herbs can be found.

Tips for tourists - where and how to experience Tsiknopempti?

If you find yourself in Greece during Tsiknopempti, here are the best ways to fully enjoy this custom:
Visit churches - whether you attend the liturgy or not\, you can visit local churches in almost every place. If you wish\, in our guide you can read about churches and monasteries in Thessaloniki\, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Monuments of Thessaloniki on the World Heritage List
Visit a tavern - almost all restaurants have special menus with grilled meat.
Participate in city celebrations - in cities like Patras and Thessaloniki\, street parties and carnival parades are organized.
Take a stroll through the city and open spaces - many Greeks barbecue outdoors\, so you will come across many improvised grills.
Don’t forget about dance and music - Greek music and traditional dances are an integral part of the celebration. Read more about traditional folk dances of Greece.

Tsiknopempti is an opportunity to experience the true Greek atmosphere, good food, and hospitality. If you are a lover of meat and merriment, this day will surely stay in your memory!

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