The last weekend of carnival will be celebrated throughout Greece on Saturday and Sunday, as Monday marks the religious holiday of "Shrove Monday", the beginning of Lent in the predominately Christian Orthodox east Mediterranean country. Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 4 this year.

The western port-city of Patras traditionally boasts the biggest and best-known carnival festivities in Greece, although several other regions -- especially in northern Greece and the Ionian islands -- have distinct customs and rites, many predating Christianity and based on ancient pagan rituals.

Some 30,000 carnival participants, including Italian acrobats and drummers, are expected to parade through Patras' main thoroughfare, both on foot and atop floats.