Yucatan pres. Sensory
2026-05-09 18:00 - 23:00 (Europe/Athens) | Zappeion Megaron, Zappeion Hall, Athens, Athens, 105 57, Greece
Yucatan meets Sensory Production for an extraordinary night on the Jacaranda path at Zappeion, one of spring’s most cinematic locations in Athens. Beneath the canopy of blooming purple trees, these two creative powerhouses are setting up an open-air club that blends cutting-edge electronic sounds with a meticulously crafted aesthetic.

The setting, the season, and the soundtrack converge to create an unforgettable backdrop, an evening poised on the edge of fashion, art, and after-hours beats, in what is easily the city’s most spirited springtime clandestine link-up.

For one night, the Zappeion gardens will be transformed into a stage of rhythm and style, showcasing the most contemporary, outward-looking face of Athens. It’s a springtime outing that perfectly pairs natural beauty with urban finesse and high-energy beats.

Queer Movie Nights 2026
2026-05-09 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-05-10 18:00 - 23:30 | Trianon Cinema, Kodrigktonos 21, Athens, Athens, 104 34, Greece
Queer Movie Nights are bringing an open, vibrant, and inclusive celebration of LGBTQI+ cinema right to the heart of Athens. Through a curated selection of queer feature films, shorts, documentaries, and homegrown Greek productions, this event creates a vital meeting point where queer stories find visibility, a voice, and an audience. This initiative has already carved out a permanent spot on the city’s cultural map as a platform for expression, coexistence, and acceptance.

Beyond the silver screen, Queer Movie Nights act as a safe space for dialogue and connection where every viewer can truly be themselves, share experiences, and see the world through diverse, colourful perspectives. It’s a celebration of diversity, cinematic creativity, and the unique power of the big screen to bring people closer together.

Guided tour of the War Museum for Adults
2026-05-09 20:00 - 21:00 | War Museum, Rizari 2-4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
As part of the This is Athens City Festival, the War Museum opens its collections and invites us on a journey through Greece’s military history and cultural heritage. Through specially designed thematic tours, visitors will have the opportunity to discover iconic exhibits and lesser-known narratives that shed light on the Greek past.

The activity is intended for adults and for families with children aged 12 and above.

This activity is only available in Greek.

A Remembrance Route for Τhose Who Didn't Make It - 1940-1944
2026-05-10 11:00 - 12:30 | Third Cemetery of Athens, Thivon & Kotyoron, Athens, Athens, 184 54, Greece
This Remembrance Route is a moving tribute to the thousands of anonymous victims of the Great Famine during the Nazi Occupation of Athens, as well as those who fell before the firing squads. This walk unfolds the harrowing yet deeply human stories of our city and its people who didn’t make it through one of the dramatic chapters of our city’s history. Simultaneously, the Third Cemetery of Athens is reintroduced to the public as a vital historical landmark, a sacred space of memory for those who never lived to see our country free.

Leading this evocative journey is Zetta Antonopoulou, Historian-Archaeologist and Head of the Cultural Heritage Department of the City of Athens.

Meeting Point: Entrance of the Third Cemetery

This activity is only available in Greek.

“In the Footsteps of the Philhellenes” – Walking Tours with Guided Commentary in the Heart of Athens
2026-05-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Rallou Manous Square, Rallous Manou Square, Athens, 105 57, Greece
Sundays 10 and 17 May are dedicated to those who loved Greece and sacrificed themselves for its freedom. The activity “In the Footsteps of the Philhellenes” offers a live guided tour through the heart of Athens, connecting emblematic landmarks with the figures who shaped the Greek War of Independence. Participants will follow a rich itinerary that includes:

The Russian Church and the Anglican Church (where the remains of Frank Abney Hastings are kept).
Historic Plaka, the Church Residence, the Finley Residence, and the Hill School.
Stops at the statue of Lord Byron, the bust of Jean-Gabriel Eynard, and the Monument of Lysicrates.
References to the sieges of the Acropolis.

Meeting point: Rallou Manou Square, at the Russian Church of Athens (Syntagma)

This activity is only available in Greek.

From Dourgouti to Neos Kosmos: Routes through the History of the Settlement
2026-05-10 11:00 - 13:30 | Syngrou Ave & George Horton, Syngrou Ave & George Horton, Athens, Greece
Historians Eleni Kyramarghiou and Nikolina Myofa invite us on a powerful historical walk in the heart of Neos Kosmos. The tour traces a century of life in Dourgouti, a neighbourhood that emerged from the shanties of Armenian and Asia Minor refugees of 1922 and evolved into a mosaic of successive waves of refugees and migrants.

Through selected points of interest, we follow the transformation of the area from an informal settlement into organised state-built housing complexes, bringing to light memories and stories that have shaped its identity. This is a route that goes beyond documenting architectural change, highlighting instead the resilience, cohesion, and social history of one of Athens’ most emblematic refugee neighbourhoods.

Meeting point: Gefyra bus stop – uphill on Syngrou Avenue (service road of Syngrou Ave & George Horton Street)

This activity is only available in Greek.

Piano City Athens: Talented Children with Magical Little Hands
2026-05-10 11:00 - 13:30 | Playground Agios Nikolaos Pefkakia (Neapoli, Exarchia), Dafnomili 1A, Athens, 106 80, Greece
As part of the This is Athens City Festival and with the support of the Goethe-Institut, the Agios Nikolaos Playground in Neapoli Exarchia fills with melodies in a heartfelt celebration dedicated to Mother’s Day. Under the artistic direction of pianist and educator Maria Papadatos, talented young soloists present a demanding repertoire ranging from Bach and Mozart to Chopin and Debussy, dedicating every note to their mothers.
From 11:00 to 13:30, audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by young virtuosos—many of whom have already received distinctions in international competitions—in an open musical event celebrating the power of music education and the magic of a new generation of creators.
Programme
11:00–12:30(15-minute intermission)
12:45–13:30
Angeliki Kouskouli – for her mother MariaSonatina op. 157 no. 4 — Fritz Spindler
Chara Karageorgou – for her mother PavlinaSplashing in the Brook — William GillockJungle Sunset Glowing — John George
Ioanna Arbi – for her mother MariaSonatina op. 55 no. 3 — Friedrich KuhlauSostenuto Valse — Frédéric Chopin
Mario Attanazio – for his mother SissyMoonlight Mood — William GillockMinute Waltz op. 64 no. 1 — Frédéric Chopin
Zoe Stathori – for her mother PennyLes Sauvages — Jean-Philippe RameauGolliwogg’s Cake Walk — Claude Debussy
Aelia Megapanou – for her mother ThomaidaPolonaise in B-flat major, op. posth. — Frédéric Chopin
Maria Dalkidou – for her mother DespoinaSonata K.330 no. 10 (1st mov. Allegro Moderato) — Wolfgang Amadeus MozartLes Cyclopes — Jean-Philippe Rameau
Anastasia Dalkidou – for her mother DespoinaL’Égyptienne — Jean-Philippe RameauSonata op. 13 no. 8 “Pathétique” (3rd mov.) — Ludwig van Beethoven
Mina Ambelaki – for her mother AphroditeSonata op. 31 no. 2 (1st mov.) — Ludwig van BeethovenArabesque no. 1 — Claude Debussy
Elpida Sourliga – for her mother MariannaÉtude op. 10 no. 12 “Revolutionary” — Frédéric Chopin
Stavros Kontogeorgos – for his mother MargaritaSonata op. 13 no. 8, 3rd mov. — Ludwig van BeethovenPrelude op. 34 no. 10 — Dmitri Shostakovich
Ilias Mathioudakis – for his mother MarinaPrelude in F minor — Johann Sebastian BachÉtude no. 1 in F minor from “Trois Nouvelles Études” — Frédéric Chopin
Dalkidou Duo – for their mother DespoinaRomance — Sergei RachmaninoffKastanka (Circus Polka) — Joseph TamarinChopsticks Theme and Variations op. 6 — Randal Compton

From Tbilisi to Athens
2026-05-10 11:30 - 16:30 | Klafthmonos Square, Klaftmonos Square, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
We join forces with the Embassy of Georgia to host a unique celebration in the heart of the capital, inviting you on a journey through a land defined by music, art, and deep-rooted tradition. From the haunting, ethereal layers of polyphonic singing to the graceful, high-energy movements of traditional dance, every moment is designed to bring us closer to the authentic spirit of the Caucasus.
You’ll have the chance to get stuck into the distinct flavours and famous wines of Georgia through a curated tasting. You will gaze at an exhibition of contemporary Georgian painters that showcases the incredible vibrancy and creativity of the country’s modern art scene.

With workshops and performances tailored for all ages, this is a brilliant shout for families and culture-seekers alike. It’s an open invitation to feel the warmth, hospitality, and creative energy of the Georgian community as they transform a central neighbourhood square into a crossroads of cultures.

Salaminos Open Flea Market
2026-05-10 12:00 - 23:00 | Salaminos Street, Salaminos Street, Metaxourgio, 104 35, Greece
Salaminos pedestrian street is transformed into a vibrant, open-air market that pulses with talent and creativity. This is not just a flea market, but a meeting point for people with passion and authentic stories that help shape the identity of the neighbourhood.
Come and discover a small paradise for those who love:

Flavours & Wine: Good food and carefully selected natural wines.
Unique Finds: Vinyl records full of hidden treasures, characterful second-hand clothing, and handmade ceramics.
Art & Connection: Works of art and personal creations waiting to be discovered.

An opportunity to step into the street, talk, taste and listen—becoming part of an honest experience that highlights the most hopeful side of the city.

World of Beer Festival 2026
2026-05-10 12:00 - 23:30 | Technopolis City of Athens, Pireos 100, Athens, Athens, 118 54, Greece
The Athens City Festival 2026 meets the World of Beer Festival for a unique three-day event dedicated to those who love great beer, food, and music. From 8 to 10 May, more than 300 beer brands from Greece and abroad will gather at Technopolis: from classic lagers and weiss to original craft beers infused with mastic or lavender.

At the Beer Talks & Tastings, experts will reveal the secrets of the perfect pairing while the experience reaches new heights with delicious street food and an explosive line-up of 9 different concerts: from the rock of Magic de Spell and Dionysis Tsaknis to the traditional Ikarian feasts of Nikos Fakaros.

Laughter takes centre stage with top stand-up shows from Vangelis Charisopoulos, Dimitra Nikitea, and other beloved comedians. With a games area, the Greek Beer Awards 2026, and an atmosphere full of energy, the World of Beer becomes the city’s ultimate meeting point.

Book your tickets now and get ready for a three-day event that has it all—always enjoying responsibly!

Athens All Star Party 2026
2026-05-10 16:00 - 23:00 | Lycabettus Theatre Parking Lot, Lycabettus Hill, Athens, Athens, 114 71, Greece
There is nothing quite like watching the sunrise over the Parthenon while the bass is still dropping and the city’s heart starts beating a little faster. On the legendary “city balcony,” suspended between the starlight and the city lights below, the Lycabettus Hill parking lot is transforming once again into the country’s most iconic open-air dancefloor.

This is Athens City Festival invites the city’s top promoters who join joining forces to create a night of pure, unadulterated ecstasy. Imagine thousands of people gathering at the summit for a marathon of electronic beats and an electric atmosphere that you can feel from miles away.

With a panoramic view that literally takes your breath away, this is where high-octane club culture meets the vastness of the Attic sky. It has officially reached must-attend status for May, confirming Athens as the nightlife capital of the Mediterranean.

A Three-Star Architectural Crown: The Neoclassical Trilogy of Athens
2026-05-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Athens Trilogy, Panepistimiou 39, Athens, Athens, 105 64, Greece
The University, the Academy, and the National Library form the absolute crown jewels of our city’s architecture, the ultimate Trilogy that defined the look of modern Athens.

But there’s way more to these marble marvels than just a good photo op. As part of this year’s This is Athens City Festival, we are hitting the pavement with archaeologist and top-tier guide Michalis Giohalas. Michalis won’t just point at statues; he’s here to spill the secrets, symbols, and big ideas hidden behind those famous facades. You’ll discover how 19th-century architects tried to build a “bridge” between the glory of Ancient Greece and the newly formed Greek state. Think of it as a deep dive into Athens’ DNA, explaining how statues, towering columns, and tiny decorative details all played a part in a young nation’s vision.

It’s history, but with a pulse. Whether you’re a fresh arrival to the city or a long-term expat who walks past these buildings every day, this tour will make you see the centre of Athens in a completely new light.

Meeting Point: The Propylaea of the University of Athens (Right outside “Panepistimio” Metro station, University exit).

This activity is only available in Greek.

Fairytales with Ermioni Ntetsika
2026-05-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Prompona Park, Eratonos 2, Athens, Athens, 111 43, Greece
Folk tales, born from the oral traditions of peoples, travel across the centuries to remind us of the importance of connection. In this performance, stories follow one another accompanied by music, songs and riddles. Children are not mere spectators; they actively participate through experiential, rhythmic games, engaging body and emotion in the “here and now”.
In a playful way, the stories speak to us about life’s great truths and are suitable for ages from 3 to… 103! How will the giant radish be pulled from the earth? Will the animals escape the wolf? Can a little girl defeat a lion, or a rooster reclaim its lucky coin? Join us to discover how heroes always find their way through the most unlikely adventures!
Music: Konstantina Angelopoulou
This activity is only available in Greek.

The Embassy of Bulgaria Presents the Quintet “Seasons”
2026-05-10 19:00 - 21:00 | National Historical Museum, Stadiou 13, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
The Embassy of Bulgaria in Athens and the This is Athens City Festival present the “Seasons” Quintet – one of the most prominent ensembles on the contemporary Bulgarian music scene. Founded in 1996, the group comprises distinguished musicians with international careers and creates an elegant bridge between the mandolin tradition and the high standards of European chamber music. Having released four albums and won awards at prestigious international competitions, the ensemble has performed across Europe, the USA and Asia. They impress audiences with their stylistically rich repertoire, which ranges from classical masterpieces to contemporary works, including original music by the Bulgarian
composer Rossen Balkanski.

In their performances, the musicians combine Bulgarian musical traditions with the latest European trends. Don’t miss this concert, where Evdokia Bobotsova (mandolin), Rossen Idealov (clarinet), Milen Djurov and Rossen Balkanski (guitars) and Ivo Alexandrov (cello) will take you on an unforgettable musical journey!

Athens: Urban Frictions
2026-05-11 10:00 - 18:00 | Macart’s Cultural Space, Lenorman 244, Athens, Athens, 104 43, Greece
The Macart Cultural Space, in collaboration with iFocus Gallery, presents “Athens: Urban Frictions”, a collective photographic exploration of the Greek capital. Thirty contemporary Greek and international photographers attempt to capture the city’s identity through diverse and often conflicting lenses, highlighting its inherent contradictions, tensions, and ongoing transformations.

In this exhibition, Athens is not approached as a singular, static image, but as a field of constant negotiation between memory, lived experience, and change. Black-and-white and colour works, analogue shots, and contemporary digital perspectives weave a narrative where the act of wandering becomes a way of “reading” the city. The show explores Athens in the space between noise and silence, the visible and the suggestive, and the weight of history versus a constantly shifting present. It is an invitation to view the capital not as a mere backdrop, but as a living, complex entity.

Exhibition duration: 6–30 May

Opening: 6 May at 19:00.

Opening hours: Monday–Friday: 10:00–18:00; Saturday: 10:00–14:00. Closed on Sunday.

Constantine Xenakis – Dimitris Chiotopoulos: Writing and Trace Two Journeys into the Labyrinth
2026-05-11 11:30 - 20:30 | Gallery Ersi, Kleomenous 4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
Ersi Gallery hosts a deep and unexpectedly poetic dialogue between two masters of the symbolic: Constantine Xenakis and Dimitris Chiotopoulos.

Writing and Trace explores the moment when a mark, a symbol, or a simple gesture transcends its everyday use to become a language of its own. Dense with meaning and open to endless interpretation. The internationally acclaimed Xenakis employs codes, hieroglyphs, and signals from modern communication to offer a sharp commentary on how meaning is constructed in our digital age. In contrast, Chiotopoulos brings a more interior, tactile search to the gallery, weaving in archetypal shapes and calligraphy elements.

Together, they transform the “Labyrinth” into a space of discovery. This isn’t just an exhibition; it’s an invitation to stroll through a maze of signs and silences, losing yourself in the traces of culture only to find your own way back.

Exhibition duration: 5–30 May

Opening hours: Monday–Friday: 11:30–14:30 & 17:30–20:30; Saturday: 11:30–15:00. Closed on Sunday.

Guided Tour of the Museum of the City of Athens
2026-05-11 12:00 - 13:00 | The City of Athens Museum, 5-7 loannou Paparrigopoulou, Athens, 105 61, Greece
The City of Athens Museum (Vouros-Eutaxias Foundation) will welcome us for a rather special look at the capital’s modern history. The tour spans two iconic buildings that tell the story of a city finding its feet.

We start at the legendary “Old Palace”, the first residence of King Otto and Queen Amalia. It’s a space deeply intertwined with the very first steps Athens took as a modern European capital. Here, you’ll see the city through the objects and grand rooms that helped define its new, royal identity.

The journey then moves into the second building of the complex, the former home of the Dekozis-Vouros family. This is where things get personal. It offers a much more intimate glimpse into Athenian “high society” life, revealing the aesthetics, the daily habits, and domestic charm of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Through these collections and the stunning architecture itself, you’ll witness the trajectory of a city that was rapidly expanding and shaping its modern self. It’s a tour that beautifully bridges the gap between Athens’ grand political history and its private, everyday heart.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Inna Orlik: The Permanent Collection
2026-05-11 12:00 - 18:00 | Orlik Gallery, 3 Palaiologou Benizelou, Athens, 105 56, Greece
Orlik Gallery invites the This is Athens City Festival audience to a distinctive encounter with the visual universe of Inna Orlik. This exhibition brings to the fore a world where contemporary painting enters into a dialogue with mythology, nature, and the human experience, creating an environment rich in symbolism and layers of interpretation.

Defined by bold colours, complex textures, and a singular painterly language, Orlik’s works move between the visible and the suggestive, the personal and the collective. The artist transforms the canvas into a space for narrative and exploration, inviting the viewer to discover forms, symbols, and underlying connections. It is an exhibition tailored for those seeking not only aesthetic intensity in contemporary art but also a substantial, resonant depth.

Exhibition duration: 1–31 May

Opening hours: Daily: 12:00–18:00.

Fairytales with Taxiarchis Beligiannis
2026-05-11 18:00 - 20:30 | Kypseli Municipal Market, Kypseli Municipal Market, Athens, Athens, 113 61, Greece
Folk tales about the Earth! 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 stories that have stood the test of time and reached the present day. Heroes full of humour, courage and wit come to life through the captivating narration of the storyteller, drawing us into a world where the impossible becomes possible. A meeting with folk wisdom, rich in twists and vivid imagery, reminding us of the joy of sharing a story—just like in the old days!

Music: Leda Xydia

This activity is only available in Greek.

Queer Movie Nights 2026
2026-05-11 20:00 - 23:00 | Goethe-Institut Athen, 14-16 Omirou, Athens, 106 72, Greece
Queer Movie Nights are bringing an open, vibrant, and inclusive celebration of LGBTQI+ cinema right to the heart of Athens. Through a curated selection of queer feature films, shorts, documentaries, and homegrown Greek productions, this event creates a vital meeting point where queer stories find visibility, a voice, and an audience. This initiative has already carved out a permanent spot on the city’s cultural map as a platform for expression, coexistence, and acceptance.

Beyond the silver screen, Queer Movie Nights act as a safe space for dialogue and connection where every viewer can truly be themselves, share experiences, and see the world through diverse, colourful perspectives. It’s a celebration of diversity, cinematic creativity, and the unique power of the big screen to bring people closer together.

The screening is in German with Greek subtitles.

Bookings open one week before the event, at 12:00 noon.

Melachrinos Velentzas: Rebirth
2026-05-11 21:00 - 23:00 | Lysiou & Klepsydras, Lysiou & Klepsydras, Athens, 105 55, Greece
An abandoned piano, long-silent in a dusty Athenian corner, finds its voice once more. Pianist and performer Melachrinos Velentzas presents Rebirth, blending performance, installation, and collective ritual in some of the city’s most emblematic spaces.

Through a musical ceremony, Velentzas resuscitates an instrument that has endured years of stillness. It is a powerful parallel between the decay of a forgotten object and the quiet frustration of a person who has lost their connection to “play.” But this isn’t just a performance to watch, it’s an invitation to participate. As the notes echo through the air, you are invited to join a collective act of storytelling, leaving your own personal histories on the stools of other “forgotten” pianos from across Athens.

Part of the artist’s long-term research into the materiality of instruments and the memories held within the city’s homes, Rebirth transforms individual loss into a shared, redemptive experience. Come and witness the city’s silent history find its rhythm again.

Midnight Express: '80s Night Out
2026-05-11 21:00 - 23:00 | Plato’s Academy Park, Monastiriou 138, Athens, Athens, 104 42, Greece
Midnight Express is the brainchild of film critic Akis Kapranos who, inspired by nostalgia for the magical midnight screenings at Alphaville and Cine Dexamenis, set out to revive them. It is a cinematic journey for older audiences to reminisce, for younger ones to share the experience, and for everyone to celebrate a common passion: the pure pleasure of the big screen.
For this edition, Midnight Express steps out of dark theatres and into the open, bringing the magic of cinema to the This is Athens City Festival.
Programme:
11/05: Out of Africa, Sydney Pollack, 198518/05: Labyrinth, Jim Henson, 198625/05: Big Trouble in Little China, John Carpenter, 1986

Ecological Translation
2026-05-12 08:00 - 22:00 | Goethe-Institut Athen, 14-16 Omirou, Athens, 106 72, Greece
The Goethe-Institut Athen presents the exhibition Ecological Translation, a bold exploration of our relationship with the natural world.

What if technology allowed us to speak directly with animals and plants?

Drawing on emerging legal frameworks that recognise rights for rivers and ecosystems, the exhibition examines the use of artificial intelligence and remote sensing as a potential “Google Translate” between humans and the environment. Through the work of an international group of artist visitors are invited to reflect on whether we can truly translate the radical otherness of beings such as bats or whales. The exhibition, which opened on 28 April, forms part of a broader interdisciplinary symposium that seeks to highlight both the opportunities and the risks of new scientific approaches reminding us that the complexity of the climate crisis demands a new, shared language of communication with the planet.

Artists:
Kyriaki Goni
Abelardo Gil-Fournier
Nona Inescu
Agata Ingarden
Bill Kouligas
Raffaela Naldi Rossano
Zoë Paul
Jenna Sutela

Exhibition duration: 1–30 May.

Opening hours: Monday–Thursday: 08:00–22:00, Friday: 08:00–17:00 & Saturday: 08:00–14:30 (23 May: closed).

Nikolas Klironomos: A Retrospective (1985–2025)
2026-05-12 11:00 - 19:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
This major retrospective is a brilliant place to start looking into the work of Nikolas Klironomos, an artist who has spent decades masterfully blurring the lines between fine art and set design.

Klironomos doesn’t just paint; he “directs” his canvases. Think of him as a visual filmmaker who takes the raw, chaotic energy of Athens, our streets, our faces, our light, and filters it through a lens of memory and emotion.

In this exhibition, the mundane meets the dreamlike. You’ll see the changing seasons of the city tangled up with those small, quirky moments that make life in Athens so unique. By playing with vibrant palettes and some rather unusual materials, he creates scenes that feel like they’re in constant motion. It’s a bit like catching a glimpse of Athens from a moving Vespa—everything is fluid, poetic, and strangely alive.

This exhibition is designed to speak directly to your heart and your memory. What’s truly clever is how Klironomos takes “the bits and bobs” of life, those fragmented, everyday moments, and gives them a sense of grandeur and importance. It’s a proper journey into the hidden corners of time and what it actually means to be human.

Exhibition duration: 1–30 May

Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday: 11:00–19:00; Sunday: 10:00–16:00. Closed on Monday.

Panos Charalambous: COLUMBIA
2026-05-12 11:00 - 20:00 | CITRONNE Gallery, 19 Patriarchou Ioakim, Athens, 106 75, Greece
At CITRONNE Gallery, Panos Charalambous invites us to step into a “sonic room” that speaks directly to the memory of the city. The journey begins in 2006, the year the historic Columbia vinyl record factory in Rizoupoli was demolished, symbolically closing a massive chapter of Greek music history. Columbia was a place where the voices, songs, and moments that shaped our collective soundscape were once etched into wax.

Charalambous transforms the gallery into a visceral, immersive installation. Here, you are invited to walk across a “sound floor,” literally treading on the echoes of a memory that refuses to fade. It is a haunting reminder that music doesn’t vanish with the buildings that once housed it; instead, it survives through emotion, shared experience, and our collective imagination.

In a city that is constantly evolving, COLUMBIA is a profound meditation on decay, remembrance, and our deep-seated need to keep our shared history alive.

Exhibition duration: 1–30 May

Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00–20:00; Wednesday, Saturday: 11:00–16:00. Closed on Monday & Sunday.

Guided Tour: Maria Callas Museum
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Maria Callas Museum, Mitropoleos 44, Athens, Athens, 105 63, Greece
The Maria Callas Museum invites us on a moving tour into the world of the 20th century’s leading soprano. Through a specially designed guided experience, visitors have the unique opportunity to discover the most iconic moments of her career, while exploring the unknown, personal aspects of the journey that established her as a global opera icon.

The narrative brings her path to life beyond standard exhibition texts, illuminating her artistic legacy and complex personality directly and experientially. This is an experience tailored to its audience, offering a deep look at the woman and the artist who changed lyric theatre forever, right in the heart of the city she loved so dearly.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Marilia Fotopoulou: Iconostases
2026-05-12 15:00 - 20:00 | Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre, 48 Armatolon-Klefton, Athens, 114 71, Greece
The Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre presents “Iconostases”, a solo exhibition by Marilia Fotopoulou. This visual proposition turns its gaze toward a subject that is deeply familiar yet often bypassed in our daily lives: the roadside shrines encountered across the Greek landscape. The artist approaches these small, metallic markers of memory and faith not merely as elements of the scenery, but as vessels for personal histories, collective sensitivity, and profound cultural continuity.

Using the language of contemporary fine-art photography, the exhibition illuminates the relationship between the individual and the road, exploring themes of loss, memory, and the urban environment. Fotopoulou’s works do not simply document a characteristic Greek sight; they transform it into a field of observation and reflection. This is a show that invites us to look again at what we pass by every day, discovering within these shrines a unique weight of emotion, tradition, and silent witness. The exhibition works well the Eugenia Grigoraki’s exhibition, also on view at the gallery, giving you a broader perspective on this distinctive symbol of the Greek landscape.

Exhibition duration: 1–23 May

Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday: 15:00–20:00; Wednesday, Friday: 12:00–20:00; Saturday: 12:00–16:00. Closed on Monday & Sunday.

Athina Pappa: Angel Energy
2026-05-12 15:00 - 21:00 | Art Zone 42, Vasileos Konstantinou 42, Athens, 116 35, Greece
Art Zone 42 Gallery presents “Angel Energy”, the latest body of work by Athina Pappa. This exhibition marks a poignant transition from organic matter to the ethereal, shifting from recognisable forms toward a more internal, abstract experience. It is a natural evolution of her previous artistic explorations, this time carving out a more spiritual path where imagery is liberated from traditional shapes, operating instead through the interplay of colour, light, and rhythm.

In “Angel Energy”, figurative references recede, making way for expansive colour fields, rich textures, and repeating motifs that encourage the eye to move freely across the canvas. Rather than following a strict narrative, the exhibition offers a visceral experience; viewers are invited to find their own personal connection to themes of elevation, energy, and spiritual fluidity. It is a thoughtful artistic proposition that brings a sense of stillness, light, and internal shift to the heart of the city.

Exhibition duration: 2–15 May

Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 15:00–21:00; Wednesday, Saturday: 12:00–16:00. Closed on Monday & Sunday.

Fitness Sessions
2026-05-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Eleftherias Park, Eleftherias Park, Athens, Athens, 115 21, Greece
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 green spaces, you’re invited to rediscover the joy of physical activity in a welcoming and supportive environment. Expert instructors and their teams will lead sessions for everyone, ranging from Yoga and Pilates to more high-energy workouts, offering a programme tailored to all fitness levels and needs.

Participation and good vibes are the order of the day, turning this event into a true festival for the body and the city alike. It’s a cracking opportunity to get moving together in one of Athens’ most beautiful outdoor settings.
