-
EVENTS AT THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Where: Acropolis MuseumWhen: On now - 31 August 2018Why Go: To get more out of your visit to the museumThe Acropolis Museum holds special events throughout the summer to enhance your experience of visiting the museum. Free guided tours, musical interludes and important archaeological artefacts on display on a temporary basis. See what’s on this month. FREE GUIDED TOURS Complimentary* guided tours every Friday evening at 6:00pm (in English) led by an archaeologist who…
-
ATHENS OPEN AIR FILM FESTIVAL 2018
Where: Various locations around AthensWhen: On now - 29 August 2018Why Go: To see iconic movies against the backdrop of Athenian landmarksThe Athens Open Air Film Festival returns, transforming some of the most iconic spaces around Athens into outdoor cinemas, screening some of the greatest movies in film history. This year, the festival program includes 18 classic films, many of which are famous literary adaptations. The screenings will take place at museums, squares, gardens, pedestrian precincts…
-
EVENTS at the Stavros Niarchos Center
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)When: Throughout August 2018Why Go: Great for architecture buffs & outdoor activities suitable for solos, couples & familiesThe Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is one of the largest and newest developments that Athens has seen in the last ten years. It is a remarkable architectural feat pioneered by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and brought to life by the extraordinary vision of Italian architect Renzo Piano. It now houses two of Greece’s most…
-
ASTRONOMY TOURS at the National Observatory of Athens
Where: National Observatory of AthensWhen: Various dates in August & September 2018Why Go: Take in the wonders of the Athenian sky by night with the Doridis telescopeThe visitors centre of the National Observatory of Athens will be conducting evening tours in English on dates throughout August and September offering the public the opportunity to peer through the 8 metre dome of the Doridis telescope, to enjoy the Athenian sky from the Hill of the Nymphs, opposite the Acropolis. The Doridis refracting…
-
GREEK SINGERS PERFORMING IN ATHENS
Where: Various locations around AthensWhen: August & September 2018Why Go: Experience the latest in modern Greek music LIVEGreek singers perform all around Greece throughout the year. For those wanting to experience the latest in the Greek music scene, there’s a legendary line up in store this month in Athens.
-
ATHENS UNDER THE AUGUST FULL MOON
Where: Various locations around the cityWhen: 26 August 2018Why Go: Take in the silver light of the midsummer full moonThe midsummer August full moon will see many museums around the city open their doors to the public free of charge with extended trading hours until midnight. The Ministry of Culture has announced the following musical events in Athens for the 7th August.
-
ATHENS AND EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL 2018
Where: Various venues around Athens & EpidaurusWhen: 1st June – 29 August 2018Why Go: For an extensive line up of music, theatre & danceThe Athens and Epidaurus Festival is the city’s annual arts festival and a highlight of the Greek summer calendar. With a legacy that spans more than sixty years, today it incorporates a full programme of music, theatre, dance and visual arts. Performances at the two ancient theatres of Odeon Herodes Atticus and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus…
-
A TRIBUTE CONCERT TO MANOS ELEFTHERIOU
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 29 August 2018Why Go: Support those affected by the recent firesThe Athens and Epidaurus Festival will present a tribute concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for the great Greek poet and lyricist, Manos Eleftheriou who passed away earlier this year. The Festival organisers are dedicating all proceeds from the show to the victims of the deadly wildfires that caused disaster in the Mati area on…
-
AGAMEMNON by Aeschylus at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 31 August 2018Why Go: See Aeschylus’ best work of Greek tragedyAgamemnon by Aeschylus comes to the stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for one night only in August. In Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, the tragic characters are doomed to suffer and die, whereas the members of the chorus are doomed to suffer and live, revisiting their misfortunes and seeking a way out. This ancient Greek tragedy is widely…
-
THE ACHARNIANS by Aristophanes at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 1 September 2018Why Go: See an ancient Greek work that is still relevant todayThe Acharnians by Aristophanes comes to the stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for one night only in September. Aristophanes sets out to ridicule war and warmongers, expressing people’s longing for peace. The comedy is set in rural Attica, in Acharnae (modern-day Menidi). Aristophanes is fully aware that the genre of comedy hails from religious…
-
BORIS BEREZOVSKY at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 4 September 2018Why Go: Hear one of the world’s best pianist and orchestras at an iconic venueEnjoy masterpieces for piano and orchestra of the world’s most romantic repertoire in this unique symphony concert by Boris Berezovsky and the National Philharmonic Orchestra of Warsaw, performing on the iconic stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Piano soloist and legendary Russian virtuoso Boris Berezovsky leads the musical programme, focusing on the work of…
-
EURIPIDES’ ELECTRA at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 7 September 2018Why Go: See Electra performed on an iconic ancient Greek stageElectra, one of Euripides’ most important tragedies, comes to the stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for one night only in September. A pervasive study of revenge, guilt, repentance, and justice, It is not clear whether it was first produced before or after Sophocles’ version of Electra. The peculiar way in which Euripides manages the…
-
YIANNIS PARIOS IN CONCERT
Where: Katrakeio TheatreWhen: 8 September 2018Why Go: See one of Greece’s most famous singersYiannis Parios will be performing at the magnificent open-air theatre of Katrakeio in Athens for one night only, to perform new songs that are yet to be released and interpreted for the first time in this unique concert. Parios is one of Greece’s most famous singers and will be appearing with a 10-member orchestra led…
-
SARA BARAS – Flamenco at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 14 September 2018Why Go: See the very best dancer of flamenco at an iconic venueConsidered one of the best flamenco dancers in the world, Sara Baras comes to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens for the first time in September, together with her dancers and orchestra, led by prominent guitarist, Keko Baldomero. In her new show “Shadows”, Baras’ dance skills are combined with her fascinating choreographies, both traditional and modern with…
-
ZORBA THE BALLET at the Panathenaic Stadium
Where: Panathenaic StadiumWhen: 15 September 2018Why Go: Re-live the story of Zorba through music & danceZorba the ballet performed by the Sofia Opera and Ballet comes to the iconic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, for one night only in September. Based on the supreme novel by Nikos Kazantzakis, with music by Mikis Theodorakis. Staged over two acts, with choreography and libretto by Lorca Massine, the world premier season in 1988 and…
-
ALVIN AILEY American Dance Theater at the Megaron in Athens
Where: Megaron, Athens Concert HallWhen: 11-15 September 2018Why Go: See some of the world’s best dancers on one stageThe Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of America’s leading dance ensembles, comes to the Megaron in Athens, as part of the company’s 60th anniversary tour. Founded by the late choreographer Alvin Ailey in 1958, Ailey was responsible for shaping the country’s contemporary dance scene. The show will feature original choreography of Ailey’s work including,…
-
LOVE & LAMENTS OF WOMEN from Euripides at the Odeon
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 16 September 2018Why Go: See iconic female monologues performed in one eveningLove and Laments of Women brings together powerful female monologues in one enchanting evening at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. Inspired by Euripides’ great tragedies, this performance is made up of major Greek actors and a twelve-member chorus, who will heighten the passion, intensity and conflicts of these monologues. A performance of Euripides’…
-
THESMOPHORIAZUSAE by Aristophanes at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 19 September 2018Why Go: Power and politics come to life on this ancient stageThesmophoriazusae by Aristophanes comes to the stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for one night only in September. It is one of Aristophanes’ three female plays written in 411 BC, at a time when democracy was overthrown and replaced by Oligarchy, when women called for political stability. A play about gender issues, the quest of…
-
TASTE OF ATHENS – Gastronomy festival at the Niarchos Center
Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)When: 27 – 30 September 2018Why Go: A day spent sampling Greek food & drinkFour days of eating and drinking, Taste of Athens brings together the finest restaurants, chefs and leading food & drink brands, set in the beautiful grounds of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. From celebrity chef cooking demonstrations to wine masterclasses and mixology showrooms, Taste of Athens offers its guests a full range of experiences…
-
ATHENS EVENTS – OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
Where: Various locations in AthensWhen: Throughout Oct & November 2018Why Go: For live music & theatreAs the summer season comes to an end, the cultural agenda runs high as Athens returns to full swing after the summer vacation. From touring musicians, to home-grown talent, Athens presents a full and exciting event calendar of live music and theatre, at some of the best venues in the city during October and November….
Athens Events
With a vibrant cultural scene all year round, Athens events include an impressive mix of both local and international musicians, artists and dance groups. The city comes alive in the summer months where cinema screens move outdoors and plateias or neighbourhood squares are buzzing with music and festivities. From June-August every year, the Athens & Epidaurus Festival is in full swing with an abundance of events held at various iconic Athenian venues including Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre, located at the base of the southern slopes of the Acropolis.
The Athens events we list have been chosen to appeal to an international audience passing through Athens and we select events accordingly.
Events in Athens
The Megaron Athens Concert Hall and Greek National Theatre are two of the major modern day venues in Athens. In peak season and where possible, we recommend you pre-purchase your tickets or ask your hotel to assist you with this. We provide you with the venue address in English and Greek to overcome any language barriers with taxi drivers. We also provide the nearest metro station to an event, along with a map to assist with your travel arrangements.
Athens & Epidaurus Festival
This is by far the crown jewel in the annual events calendar in Athens. Running now for more than 60 years, it presents local and international productions of Ancient Greek drama that celebrates the city’s cultural heritage. Athens is blessed with a network of ancient amphitheatres including Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Aristotle’s Lyceum and Lycabettus Theatre. Extending beyond Athens to the Attica region, performances can also be found at the Ancient Theatre of Delphi and the infamous Epidaurus Theatre. Check out our travel tips of getting to Epidaurus.
August Full Moon Festival
Every August on the night of the full moon, musical performances are held at key historic venues, including the Acropolis, the Roman Agora and other sites around Greece. Be sure to watch this space for updates.
