In Crete, they celebrate the days of carnival with special intensity, as guitars and mandolins lead the events and accompany the masquerades in the big parade. The Carnival of Rethymno is the largest in Crete. The events begin with cantatas in the narrow streets of the old town and continue with the hunt of the hidden treasure. On Sunday before the great carnival parade there is a "ritual", the so-called dance of the groups, according to which there are theatrical sketches, which are directed by them and their theme focuses on their disguise.

One of the Cretan carnival customs is also "Lerades". The "Lerades" are masquerades who wear bells around the waist and hands and are the most common disguise of the Cretans. A characteristic mask of the Cretans is the "Siviani Mask". This is made from the root of the plant "Century Plant or American Aloe". A group of people wear this mask and wander around the island's houses.