This is Athens City Festival

The Journey of the Serenade
2026-05-04 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/Athens) | Holy Church of Saint Catherine, Chairefontos 10, Athens, Athens, 105 58, Greece
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 as the ultimate way to confess a secret or share a moment of collective emotion. As you stroll, following the voices through the shadow of the Acropolis, the city’s past starts to feel incredibly present—a beautiful reminder that some things, like a perfect melody under the stars, never go out of style.

Gathering of the Cultural Associations of Thessaly and Agrafa
2026-05-16 19:00 - 23:00 | Agios Thomas Square, Mikras Asias 69, Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
Agios Thomas Square turns into an arena dedicated to the enduring power of Greek tradition. The This is Athens City Festival 2026 celebrates the living heart of the Greek provinces with a grand Gathering of the Cultural Associations of Thessaly and Agrafa. This event brings together the proud heritage of the central plains and the untamed peaks of the Pindus mountains, offering a powerful display of music, dance, and local identity.

From the steady, rhythmic steps of the Thessalian plains to the spirited, soaring dances of the Agrafian highlands, this gathering is a testament to an unbroken cultural lineage. Dressed in authentic traditional attire where every stitch tells a story of its own, performers from across the region will unite to share their collective memory. It is a vibrant invitation to witness the soul of the Greek countryside: a world of polyphonic songs, traditional instruments, and the timeless bond of the Gathering.

Canvas Bag Meets Vintage Flair
2026-05-24 11:30 - 13:00 | National Historical Museum, Stadiou 13, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
How were traditional costumes made, and what secrets are hidden within their vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and fine details?

The National Historical Museum invites the younger friends of the This is Athens City Festival 2026 to an interactive session that brings folk tradition to life creatively and delightfully. The journey begins with a guided exploration of the Museum’s Folk Collection, where children will get up close to the richness of Greek attire, discovering the materials, techniques, and sheer craftsmanship that went into every handmade piece. But the experience doesn’t end with looking. Transitioning from observation to creation, and under the expert guidance of the museum curators, children will try their hand at the traditional block printing technique to decorate their very own canvas tote bag. By the end of the session, folk art is no longer just a museum exhibit, but their personal masterpiece to carry home. This is a brilliant opportunity for children to connect history with imagination and discover the past through their own hands.

This activity is only available in Greek.

A live Cretan Feast with Vassilis Skoulas
2026-05-29 19:00 - 23:00 | Plato’s Academy Park, Monastiriou 138, Athens, Athens, 104 42, Greece
The ecstatic impulse of Cretan tradition strikes the heart of Athens as Plato’s Academy Park transforms into the stage for an authentic feast filled with intensity, passion, and pride. As part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, Vassilis Skoulas, one of Crete’s most iconic and stoic voices, is joined by a world-class ensemble of musicians to transport us to the vibrant universe of the island’s music.

In this setting, tradition rises as a daily force of expression. With the lyra and laouto driving the rhythm, the park will fill with melodies that beckon everyone into the dance circle. The gathering quickly takes on the character of a friendly gathering, where improvisation and collective spirit meet the urban landscape. This is a rare chance to experience the redemptive energy of Cretan music and witness how a tradition deeply rooted in the island finds its natural home in springtime Athens.
