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MAXIM VENGEROV with the Athens State Orchestra
Where: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, AcropolisWhen: 16 July 2019Why Go: See this solo violinist perform on a majestic stageWorld famous violinist Maxim Vengerov together with the Athens State Orchestra will perform at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival. In this first collaboration, Vengerov will perform one of the greatest and most demanding concertos for violin of all time, Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major,…
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ASTRONOMY TOURS at the National Observatory of Athens
Where: National Observatory of AthensWhen: WED, FRI & SAT - July 2019Why 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 offering the public the opportunity to peer through the 8 metre dome of the Doridis telescope and enjoy the Athenian sky from the Hill of the Nymphs, opposite the Acropolis. The Doridis refracting telescope was built by the French…
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ANCIENT EPIDAURUS THEATRE PROGRAMME & TICKETS
Where: Palea Epidaurus in ArgolisWhen: 21 June - 10 August 2019Why Go: To experience a live performance & perfect acoustics at this ancient theatreAs part of the annual Athens and Epidaurus Festival, the Epidaurus theatres come alive with the works of great Greek playwrights such as Aeschylus, Euripides, Sophocles and more. These ancient sites welcomed more than 90,000 theatre-goers last year, across eight weekends in summer and is an absolute highlight to experience a midsummer production at these…
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GREEK SINGERS PERFORMING IN ATHENS
Where: Various locations around AthensWhen: July & September 2019Why 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.
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ATHENS OPEN AIR FILM FESTIVAL 2019
Where: Various locations around AthensWhen: 5 June to 26 July & 23 to 28 August 2019Why Go: To see iconic movies against the backdrop of Athenian sites & landmarksThe Athens Open Air Film Festival returns for its 9th year, 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 masterpieces from legendary world cinema directors such as Federico Fellini, David Leeds, Michelangelo Antonioni, Louise Buonuel, Akira…
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Discover the delights of Athens & Attica this summer
Where: Around Athens and Attica regionWhen: Throughout Summer 2019Why Go: For time well spent in AthensIt’s time to book your summer activities and delve into the many delights Athens has to offer. As your insiders on the ground, we’ve personally selected tours, experiences and day trips that we believe best convey the history and topography of Athens and the greater region of Attica. From day trips to the ancient sites…
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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ‘BAZZAR’
Where: Athens old airport, HellinikonWhen: 18 July to 4 August 2019Why Go: Step inside the big top to a whimsical universeWorld famous Cirque du Soleil brings the magic of circus to Athens with its latest original production “Bazzar” under its flagship big top tent. Cirque du Soleil’s 43rd production, Bazzar, was inspired by the colourful and chaotic grand Indian bazaar. With 31 artistes and 62 permanent people, Bazzar is like a small village – an…
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EVENTS AT THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM
Where: Acropolis MuseumWhen: July & August 2019Why Go: Celebrate the museum’s 10th anniversaryThe Acropolis Museum turned 10 in June 2019 and has counted more than 14.5 million people through its doors during this decade. Visitors can expect a full programme of fascinating exhibitions, lectures, musical interludes and the opening of the excavation area beneath the museum that was once an ancient Athenian neighbourhood. Skip the line e-tickets…
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IPHIGENIA IN AULIS by Euripides – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Where: Ancient Theatre of EpidaurusWhen: 19 & 20 July 2019Why Go: A play full of twists & dilemmasThis production of Iphigenia in Aulis by Euripides at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus forms part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival programme for 2019. One of Euripides’ late plays, written between 408 and 406 BC and presented posthumously at the Great Dionysia, where it won first prize. The tragedy focuses on the fateful decision…
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GUIDED TOURS INSIDE HELLENIC PARLIAMENT
Where: Hellenic Parliament, SyntagmaWhen: Throughout June, July & September 2019Why Go: A look behind the walls of the Greek Parliament buildingComplimentary guided tours of Hellenic Parliament take place in June, July and September, providing fascinating insights into the history of the building. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the grand rooms such as the Assembly Hall and the debating chamber and learn more about Greece’s modern history. Take a sneak peak here of what’s…
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ELECTRA & ORESTES by Euripides – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Where: Ancient Theatre of EpidaurusWhen: 26 & 27 July 2019Why Go: See two of Euripides’ plays brought together at onceThis production of Electra & Orestes at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus forms part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival programme for 2019. Belgian theatre director Ivo van Hove brings together two of Euripides plays, telling the story of Electra and Orestes and more specifically how the two siblings reunite and make a pact to…
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LA TRAVIATA at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 27, 28, 30, 31 July 2019Why Go: To see one of Verdi’s great operatic masterpiecesLa Traviata, by Giuseppe Verdi comes to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens this July presented by the Greek National Opera (GNO) as part of the 2019 Athens and Epidaurus Festival. This tragic love story, with its much-loved arias and duets, will be directed by the GNO’s choreographer and artistic director, Konstantinos Rigos who…
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THE CLOUDS by Aristophanes – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Where: Ancient Theatre of EpidaurusWhen: 2 & 3 August 2019Why Go: See this “comedy of ideas” on an iconic ancient stageThis presentation of The Clouds by Aristophanes at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus forms part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival programme for 2019. Aristophanes’ masterful comedy was first presented at the Great Dionysia in 423 BC and attacks Socrates’ teachings and the philosophical ideas of the time. The elderly, largely uneducated Athenian, Strepsiades, is…
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PROMETHEUS BOUND by Aeschylus – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Where: Ancient Theatre of EpidaurusWhen: 9 & 10 August 2019Why Go: See Aeschylus’ tragedy on an ancient Greek stageThis production of Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus forms part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival programme for 2019. Prometheus is punished by Zeus for giving fire to humanity. Hephaestus is tasked with chaining Prometheus on steep mountain rocks. Cratus and Bia keep watch the reluctant Hephaestus. Oceanus’ daughters, the…
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THE THREAD – Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Where: Ancient Theatre of EpidaurusWhen: 24 August 2019Why Go: For a night of music and danceAn innovative modern performance infused with traditional Greek dance, The Thread comes to the ancient theatre of Epidaurus for one mid-summer evening. Internationally acclaimed choreographer Russell Maliphant forges the past with the present, combining contemporary dance with that of the Greek folk tradition. Eighteen Greek dancers, six trained in folk dancing, the rest in ballet…
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ATHENS EVENTS – September & October 2019
Where: Various locations in AthensWhen: September & October 2019Why Go: For live music & theatreThe summer season is in full swing but the month of August also marks the close of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival and the start of summer holidays for locals. Museums and archaeological sites are open throughout August although the events calendar takes a break in the weeks leading up to and following the traditional…
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THE SUPPLIANTS by Euripides
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 5 September 2019Why Go: See this ancient Greek tragedy by EuripidesThis production of The Suppliants by Euripides at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, was first presented as part of this Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Two national theatres, the National Theatre of Greece and Cyprus Theatre Organisation, join forces to produce an iconic play: a tragedy about war and the dead, existential dread, dignity, faith and…
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QUEEN SYMPHONIC at the Odeon
Where: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, AcropolisWhen: 7 September 2019Why Go: A music spectacular at an iconic venueQueen Symphonic, the spectacular two-hour show celebrating one of the biggest bands of all time comes to Athens to perform a singular concert at the iconic Odeon of Herodes Atticus beneath the slopes of the Acropolis. Since its premiere in 2000, Queen: A Symphonic Rock Spectacular has been seen by hundreds of thousands of Queen…
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ANDREA BOCELLI LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS
Where: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, AcropolisWhen: 11 September 2019 (SOLD OUT)Why Go: Hear the iconic tenor LIVEExperience the breath-taking voice of Andrea Bocelli who returns to Athens to perform on the majestic stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for an unforgettable evening beneath the glow of the Acropolis. As the world’s most loved tenor, Bocelli is the biggest-selling solo artist in the history of classical music, having sold more than…
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BEJART BALLET at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 15 & 16 September 2019Why Go: See ballet beneath the glow of the AcropolisThe Béjart Ballet Lausanne returns to the majestic stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens for two unmissable evenings of dance. Based on the iconic choreography of the late dance pioneer, Maurice Béjart, his two ballets will be performed including, ‘7 danses grecques’ (7 Greek Dances) and ‘Boléro’. In 7 Greek Dances, genuine…
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CLASSIC ROCK at the Odeon
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 18 September 2019Why Go: An unforgettable evening of legendary rock musicClassic Rock returns for a third instalment at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens this September. The Athens State Orchestra together with the Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague will perform songs by Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen, AC/DC, Metallica and more. Special guests include German guitarist and former lead guitarist of Scorpions, Uli…
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STOMP in Athens
Where: Melina Mercouri TheatreWhen: 17 & 18 September 2019Why Go: Get into the rhythm of Stomp LIVEHailing from the United Kingdom, popular percussion group STOMP returns to Athens for two nights in September. For almost three decades STOMP has been wowing audiences all around the world with its unique blend of rhythm, movement, comedy and dance. A theatrical experience like no other, STOMP is the event that has shown the globe…
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JOHN CLEESE LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 20 September 2019Why Go: See one of the world's greatest comedic actorsBritish actor and comedian John Cleese, is set to perform on the grand stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus this September in Athens. Cleese, who describes himself as “writer, actor and tall person” has been touring the US and Europe to sell-out audiences with his self-titled show ‘Last Time to See Me Before I…
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FLORENCE & THE MACHINE LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS
Where: Odeon of Herodes Atticus, AcropolisWhen: 19 & 22 September 2019 (SOLD OUT)Why Go: See one of the great indie bands of our timeEnglish indie rock band, Florence and the Machine will perform for two nights at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for an unforgettable evening beneath the glow of the Acropolis. After selling out their first show in under one hour, a second and final show was announced for Sunday 22nd September and will go on-sale at…
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ATHENS MARATHON – The authentic and original race
Where: From Marathon to AthensWhen: 10 November 2019Why Go: Cheer on marathon runners from various vantage pointsThe Athens Marathon celebrates its 37th year in 2019 on Sunday 10th November with the annual race from the town of Marathon to Athens covering 42.195km’s. The finish line for the marathon will be held once again at the iconic Panathenaic Stadium with more than 50,000 runners expected from around the world to participate across…
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JOSÉ CARRERAS LIVE – farewell tour
Where: OACA - Olympic Indoor HallWhen: 24 November 2019Why Go: See the legendary tenor LIVEAfter a historic career spanning decades, with millions of records sold and countless performances around the world, Spanish tenor José Carreras will perform in Athens as part of his farewell tour – celebrating and saluting a remarkable career. The famous tenor will showcase some of his favourite pieces accompanied by the ERT Symphony Orchestra of…
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.
