Chios activities
Chios Festival - Mostra
Experience the colorful carnival fiesta of Thymiana, one of the most joyful local traditions of Chios.
A colorful carnival tradition near Kambos
Mostra takes place in the village of Thymiana, close to the Kambos region of Chios. The name comes from the Italian word for a show or display, and the celebration truly lives up to it.
During the carnival period, the streets fill with music, dancing, masks, costumes and a festive village atmosphere that brings locals and visitors together.
A local celebration with deep roots
Mostra is more than a parade. It is a celebration of local identity, history and community spirit, connected with the long cultural memory of Thymiana and Chios.
Visitors can enjoy traditional food, local music and the welcoming rhythm of a village celebration that feels both lively and authentic.
A battle against pirates, replayed
According to local legend, Mostra goes back to the Middle Ages, when pirates raided the Aegean. The people of Thymiana defeated a band that landed nearby, and a year later they reenacted the victory.
Today the village splits into two groups, the Thymianousses and the Corsairs, who stage mock fights through the neighborhoods and the central square. The whole village then joins a carnival procession that ends with a dance in the square.
More carnival customs on Chios
The Mastic villages have a carnival custom of their own. On Clean Monday in Olympoi, Mesta, Elata and Lithi, a villager dressed as an Ottoman Aga sits with his vizier and secretary and hands out mock fines, a playful memory of the heavy taxes of the past.
Carnival dates follow the Orthodox calendar and change every year, so check the local program before you plan your trip.
Stay close to the celebration
Voulamandis House in Kambos is a peaceful and convenient base for discovering Mostra, Thymiana and the surrounding area of Chios.
After the celebration, return to the calm atmosphere of Kambos and enjoy a more relaxed side of the island.
Voulamandis House
Discover Chios during carnival season
Stay at Voulamandis House and experience one of the island's most colorful local traditions.
