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ATHENS AND EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL 2020
Where: Various venues around Athens & EpidaurusWhen: 15 July to 15 August 2020Why Go: The ultimate 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 the Odeon Herodes Atticus and the Ancient Theatre of…
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BEETHOVEN GALA by the ERT National Symphony Orchestra
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 18 July 2020Why Go: For lovers of classical music performed on an iconic stageCelebrating the 250th anniversary since Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth, the ERT National Symphony Orchestra presents a gala dedicated to the music of the legendary German composer at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for the 2020 Athens and Epidaurus Festival. The orchestra will present Beethoven’s brilliant and uplifting Symphony No. 1, the great composer’s sole aria…
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MONIKA live at the Odeon
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 20 & 21 July 2020Why Go: Enjoy this emerging voice in Greek musicGreek singer and songwriter Monika will premiere her new Greek-language album at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival. The stage will be transformed with colours of a Greek garden for this unique album release concert, that has been in the making for more than 10 years. Accompanied…
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BARTÓK & VIVALDI – Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 23 July 2020Why Go: For an enchanting evening of musicThe Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and its famous string instrument ensemble will present two remarkable works by Bartók and Vivaldi at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Rich in contrasts, Béla Bartók’s Divertimento for String Orchestra will kick off the evening programme, combining neoclassical style with avant-garde…
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ANCIENT EPIDAURUS THEATRE PROGRAMME & TICKETS
Where: Palea Epidaurus in ArgolisWhen: 17 July to 9 August 2020Why 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 welcome more than 90,000 theatre-goers each year and are generally spread across eight weekends in summer. Experiencing a midsummer production at Epidaurus is an…
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GIANNIS AGGELAKAS & NIKOS VELIOTIS live at the Odeon
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 30 & 31 July 2020Why Go: An unlikely duo together on stageGreek singer Giannis Aggelakas and cellist Nikos Veliotis will perform songs at this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival from their latest album for the first time at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The duo will revisit landmark Greek songs of the last several decades, from Hadjidakis to Tsitsanis to Theodorakis, Xarchakos, Akis Panou among others….
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MONTEVERDI’S Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 4 & 5 August 2020Why Go: Enjoy an operatic masterpiece at an iconic venueArmonia Atenea – The Friends of Music Orchestra return to the Athens and Epidaurus Festival with a new production of Claudio Monteverdi’s operatic masterpiece Il ritorno d’ulisse in patria live at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. This two-act opera will feature eleven renowned Greek soloists, led by baritone Tassis Christoyannis and mezzo-soprano Mary-Ellen Nesi, both…
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BEETHOVEN 250 YEARS by the Athens State Orchestra
Where: Odeon of Herodes AtticusWhen: 8 August 2020Why Go: Celebrating one of the world’s best composersThe Athens State Orchestra, under the baton of its artistic director, distinguished conductor Stefanos Tsialis, will celebrate 250 years since Beethoven’s birth, presenting two masterworks of the great German classical composer at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival. The short but very dynamic overture of the ballet, The…
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BILL BAILEY LIVE
Where: Gazi Live TheatreWhen: 2 September 2020Why Go: See this multi-talented comedian LIVEBritish comedian, actor, musician and presenter Bill Bailey comes to Athens for one night only as part of his “Larks in Transit” world tour. The versatile comedian has become widely known for his unrivalled talent not only in stand up but also on television in the hit shows “Never Mind the Buzzcocks”, “QI” and “Have…
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.
