If you’ve ever wondered what Athens sounded like before the hum of motorbikes and the thump of basslines, follow this group of traditional kantadoroi (troubadours). They are taking to the cobbled streets below the Acropolis to revive the lost art of the Athenian serenade. Love songs and melodies once flooded the city’s historic neighborhoods, serving
Greek radio MENTA 88 FM returns to the This is Athens City Festival, once again leaving its distinct musical mark on the city's biggest celebration. This time, they are bringing a true heavyweight of Greek songwriting to the stage: the legendary Pantelis Thalassinos. With a career- spanning decades, Thalassinos has mastered the art of bridging
Parko Eleftherias is being transformed into a sprawling open-air hub of energy and well-being for this year’s This is Athens City Festival. At Fitness Sessions, movement is a celebration; here, exercise isn't about competition—it’s about self-care, community, and recharging your batteries right in the heart of the city. Set within one of Athens’ most refreshing
The National Archaeological Museum Courtyard is an incredibly "Athenian" setting, an atmospheric, hidden garden that will fill with the unmistakable sound and timeless, bohemian spirit of the legendary Greek band Cheimerinoi Kolymvites (literally "The Winter Swimmers"). They’ll be performing songs that speak of love, solitude, good company, and the quiet magic of the night. These
History is often written in the singular, but the soul of Athens was defended by many. As part of the Athens City Festival 2026, historian Menelaos Charalampidis invites us on a specialized commemorative walk through the city streets, illuminating a pivotal yet often overlooked chapter: the defiant role of women during the Occupation. Through personal
Red thread tied, wrapped around a doll. A doll that gave birth to many more. Another that travelled so far it reached and stuck to the king’s nose. And yet another that spins red threads out of nothing, winds them onto a spindle and sets it turning… for the story to begin. A musical storytelling
Folk Tales with Animals and Fearless Children! What happens when a beautiful and ambitious little beetle sets out in search of the perfect groom? How much courage does a fearless child need when his love for walnuts leads him into the most unlikely adventures? Guided by the inexhaustible richness of Greek folk tradition, we unravel
Step into an urban stroll through the Makriyianni district, where ancient beauty meets the grit of modern Athenian life. Led by Dr. Iordanis Papadopoulos, an expert in Political Philosophy, this tour invites you to decode our urban identity, viewing the iconic shadow of the Acropolis not just as a backdrop, but as a living witness
A garden of fairy tales! Georgia Chaikali, Marina Dakanali and Ioanna Rigas weave a world made of words, sounds and images. A form of storytelling that is not just speech, but experience—rhythm, breath, glances. Alongside them, music becomes a living presence: voice, percussion and santouri create a vivid sonic landscape that carries the audience away.
Nikos Oikonomidis, a true master of the violin and an authentic voice of island tradition, is coming to Klafthmonos Square for a night filled with Cycladic soul and a fresh summer breeze in downtown Athens. With a career deeply rooted in the sounds of the Aegean, Oikonomidis brings the vibrant energy of an authentic island
The annual Gyzi Street Party returns to Gyzi Square as part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, proving that the city’s alternative culture beats loudest in the heart of its local neighbourhoods. One of the centre’s most authentic, yet "hidden gem" squares, transforms into a high-octane open-air club. Here, electronic music acts as
The This is Athens City Festival welcomes MOb to Avdi Square for a performance that throws the rulebook out the window. This powerhouse trio, Panagiotis Kostopoulos, Alexandros Delis, and Marios Valinakis, crafts a sonic universe built on synthesizers, loops, and drones. While their roots are in jazz, they have wholeheartedly moved into the experimental, creating
During the This is Athens City Festival, photos and video footage may be captured for marketing and publicity purposes, to be used on the Festival’s website and social media channels and/or in third-party publications.
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