Greek Independence Day Athens Parade
An Evzone stands guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens. Photograph: Why Athens

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.

  • Greek Independence Day Athens Parade

    GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY in Athens

    Where: Syntagma Square & Panepistimiou
    When: 25 March 2024
    Why Go: To see the cultural and military parades

    Each year on the 25th March, Athens comes to a standstill for Greek Independence Day, which commemorates the start of the Greek War of Independence in 1821. It is also the religious holiday of The Annunciation that is observed on this day by Eastern Orthodoxy. This grand military parade commences from 11:00am sharp and makes its…

  • DIE WALKÜRE at the Greek National Opera

    Where: Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)
    When: 10, 13, 16, 19, 24, 31 Mar 2024
    Why Go: See Wagner’s famous opera

    An international co-production between the Royal Danish Opera and the Greek National Opera Ballet presents Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre (“The Valkyrie”) on the main stage of the Stavros Niarchos Center in Athens. Die Walküre is the second of four parts, modelled on Aeschylus’ Oresteia trilogy. Wagner spent many years composing this epic work which in music terms,…

  • BILL BAILEY Live in Athens

    Where: Pallas Theatre
    When: 8th April 2024
    Why Go: See this multi-talented comedian LIVE

    British comedian, actor, musician and presenter Bill Bailey returns to Athens for one night only with his new show “Thoughtifier”. At a point in our evolution when it seems as if we’re sleepwalking into a world where humans might be redundant and much of what we do can be done better and more efficiently by…

  • EVENTS AT THE ACROPOLIS MUSEUM

    Where: Acropolis Museum
    When: Throughout Winter - 14 April 2024
    Why Go: Experience events & educational walks at one of the world's greatest museums

    The Acropolis Museum has counted more than 15 million people through its doors since opening in 2009. Visitors can expect a full programme of exhibitions, lectures, musical interludes along with the fascinating excavation area beneath the museum that was once an ancient Athenian neighbourhood. Skip the line e-tickets are available to purchase here in advance…

  • Olympic Flame Ancient Olympia

    OLYMPIC FLAME LIGHTING CEREMONY – Ancient Olympia

    Where: Ancient Olympia
    When: 16 April 2024
    Why Go: Witness the start of the Olympic torch relay

    The Olympic flame ceremony will take place on 16th April at 11:30am on the ancient site of Olympia, in an event open to the public and televised live around the world (start time will be announced closer to the date). Around 500 torchbearers will then carry the Olympic flame on a 2,000 kilometre odyssey around…

  • Olympic Flame Torch Handover Panathenaic Stadium Athens

    OLYMPIC FLAME HANDOVER CEREMONY – Panathenaic Stadium

    Where: Panathenaic Stadium
    When: 26 April 2024 - 6:30pm
    Why Go: To witness that start of the Olympic flame handover

    The ceremony for the official handover of the Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens and is open to the general public on Friday 26th April at 6:30pm (18:30). The Olympic flame will be first lit at Ancient Olympia on the 16th April in the…

  • Athens Greece for Kids Greek Easter Monastiraki

    Greek Orthodox Easter in Athens

    Where: Throughout Athens
    When: Good Friday 3 May - Easter Monday 6 May 2024
    Why Go: To experience a Greek Orthodox Easter in Athens

    While the islands and villages of Greece are known for their religious festivals during the period of the resurrection, spending Greek Orthodox Easter in Athens is as memorable as it is spiritual. Athens is home to some of the most beautiful and historical churches in Greece and the city has its finest moments under candlelight…

  • Odeon Herodes Atticus Athens Epidaurus Festival Crowds

    ATHENS AND EPIDAURUS FESTIVAL 2024

    Where: Various venues around Athens & Epidaurus
    When: June 2024 to August 2024
    Why Go: The ultimate line up of music, theatre & dance

    The 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…

  • COLDPLAY Live in Athens

    Where: Olympic Stadium O.A.K.A
    When: 8 & 9 June 2024
    Why Go: See this iconic band LIVE in 2024!

    The incredible Coldplay will be bringing their electrifying energy to Athens in 2024 for an unforgettable concert experience at the Olympic Stadium for two nights only. Following the huge success of their sold out 2023 summer tour, Coldplay have announced a third run of European dates as part of their record breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour . Formed in London in 1996,…

  • DIRE STRAITS LEGACY Live in Athens

    Where: Athens Technopolis
    When: 27 June 2024
    Why Go: Relive the legacy of this iconic band

    Legends of British rock, Dire Straits bring back their iconic music, performed by musicians who recorded and toured with Dire Straits, over 30 years ago at Athens’ Technopolis. Alan Clark was Dire Straits’ first keyboardist, Phil Palmer and Danny Cummings both recorded On Every Street, Mel Collins on singles Love Over Gold and Twisting by the Pool, and Jack Sonni on the international bestseller Brothers in Arms. All have performed…

  • La Traviata Athens Festival Odeon Herodes

    LA TRAVIATA at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus

    Where: Odeon of Herodes Atticus
    When: 27, 28, 30, 31 July 2024
    Why Go: To see one of Verdi’s great operatic masterpieces

    Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata will perform on the iconic stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, presented by the Greek National Opera (GNO) as part of the 2024 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…

  • Lenny Kravitz Athens

    LENNY KRAVITZ Live in Athens

    Where: OACA - Olympic Indoor Hall
    When: 2 August 2024
    Why Go: See this legendary musician LIVE

    The Athens Rocks Festival 2024 presents Lenny Kravitz live in Athens for one night only in August. With the forthcoming release of his album, ‘Blue Electric Light’, the legendary rock artist will headline the festival. Singer, musician, guitarist, fashion icon, actor, producer, composer and activist, Lenny Kravitz is the epitome of versatility with a stellar…