This is Athens City Festival

Constantine Xenakis – Dimitris Chiotopoulos: Writing and Trace Two Journeys into the Labyrinth
2026-05-15 17:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-16 11:30 - 15:00 (Europe/Athens) | 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.

Christina Paraskevopoulou: Symbioses
2026-05-15 17:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-16 12:00 - 15:00 | Artshot – Sophia Gaitani, 11 Lempesi, Athens, 117 42, Greece
Christina Paraskevopoulou invites us to look at the world around us as if through a magnifying glass. In her latest body of work, titled “Symbioses”, the artist paints the hidden stories unfolding on the ground, in the seas, and along the shores where life continues quietly and magically.

Using ink and fine markers on paper, she creates intricate shapes and patterns that resemble living organisms or endless threads woven together. Her works are more than just images; they are an “ecological message” about the resilience of nature and the beauty of the microscopic life we so often overlook.

It’s an invitation to pause for a moment and lose yourself in a world full of colour and detail, discovering how everything in nature coexists, blooms, and renews itself.

Gerasimos Galiatsatos: Phi of Light
2026-05-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Mosaico Fine Art Studio, Kesarias 18-20, Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
What happens when mathematical perfection meets inner revelation? In “Phi of Light”, an exhibition by Gerasimos Galiatsatos curated by mosaico, art transcends simple representation. It becomes, as the psychologist and author Rollo May might suggest, a “revelation of new forms of being. The artist brings viewers face-to-face with two fundamental forces:

The Golden Ratio: Named in honour of Phidias, the Golden Ratio is the mathematical code of absolute harmony in nature and architecture. For Galiatsatos, phi (φ) is not merely a rule of matter, but the aesthetic imprint of psychological balance.
The Light: The force that reveals and purifies. Drawing inspiration from Jungian thought, the artist treats light as the medium through which “darkness becomes conscious.”

Each work in the collection acts as a luminous mediator, inviting the viewer to discover an internal order within the chaos. This exhibition functions as a ritual, inviting us to look beyond the obvious and seek our own facet of reality through brilliance and geometry.

Yorgos Lanthimos: Photographs
2026-05-15 18:00 - 23:30 | Onassis Stegi, 107-109 Syngrou, Athens, 117 45, Greece
As the This is Athens City Festival kicks off an exciting new partnership with Onassis Stegi, we offer a look through the lens of a true visionary. In his first-ever solo photography exhibition in Greece, the internationally acclaimed director Yorgos Lanthimos presents 182 works that map out his unique visual language through a different medium.

This is a brilliant opportunity to get to know a whole other side of his artistry, stepping away from the cinema screen and into the still image. In the exhibition space of the Stegi, visitors encounter photographs created on the margins of film productions such as Poor Things (2023), Kinds of Kindness (2024), and Bugonia (2025), shot in cities like New Orleans and Atlanta, as well as in studios in Budapest, where entire cities were constructed as cinematic sets, alongside a new series of works from Athens and the Aegean.

Through these images, the familiar, the strange, and the silent take on a new intensity. It’s Lanthimos at his most raw, showcasing his deeply personal and recognisable authorship. Whether he’s capturing a landscape or the human form, you’re invited to see the world through the singular, idiosyncratic gaze of one of the world’s most significant contemporary creators.

A Historical Walk with Dr. Iordanis Papadopoulos: Havteia
2026-05-15 18:30 - 21:00 | Havteia, Stadiou & Aiolou Str., Athens, 105 64, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival invites you on a fascinating historical stroll through the neighbourhoods that shaped our city’s urban soul. Led by Dr. Iordanis Papadopoulos, this walk takes us from the bustling corners of Havteia and Omonia down to 3rd September Street, Patission, and the leafy Fokionos Negri.
It will shape into a journey through an Athens that was constantly reinventing itself through social shifts, political episodes, and grand architectural plans. We’ll be connecting the dots between the streets, the people, and the events that turned these areas into the backbone of Athenian life.

As we walk, Dr. Papadopoulos will spotlight the hidden details from the grand buildings you might usually walk past, to the historical memories tucked into side streets, and the “secret” stories that make up the big picture of the city. You’ll see Athens as a living, breathing landscape where the past is still very much present. If you want to understand not just what Athens was, but what it carries in its vibrant identity today, this is the tour for you.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Tropical Party Athens
2026-05-15 19:00 - 23:00 | Ilisia Park, Dragoumi and Dimitressa, Athens, Athens, 115 28, Greece
It doesn’t take much to create an unforgettable night: just a love for music, a desire to dance, and a brave dose of extroversion. That’s the philosophy behind Tropical Party Athens, which returns for the This is Athens City Festival 2026 to remind us that, with the right rhythm, the city can feel like summer long before June arrives.

With a sense of total freedom and a personality that never takes itself too seriously, the Tropical crew promises another high-pulse night. The soundtrack spans the entire spectrum of the modern electronic dance scene, drawing in a loyal crowd of regulars and curious newcomers who usually end up staying until the very last beat.

The atmosphere is open, bright, and effortlessly joyful, a momentary escape where urban routine is swapped for pure carefreeness. It’s proof that Athens knows exactly how to celebrate with colour, rhythm, and an authentic, sun-drenched vibe.

A Victim of Society & Mechanimal
2026-05-15 20:00 - 22:00 | Ipitou Str., Ipitou Str., Athens, 105 57, Greece
Loud guitars, deep drones, and two of the most authentic voices in the Greek alternative scene are joining forces for the This is Athens City Festival to create an explosive sonic experience for the night owls.

A Victim of Society, the duo of Vangelis Makris and Fotis Ntouskas, is set to unleash their lo-fi spells, drowning the venue in fuzzy guitars and hypnotic reverbs that feel like a sonic hallucination. On the other side of the bill, Mechanimal, the audiovisual brainchild of Giannis Papaioannou, takes over to “tune” the dystopia, hammering the dancefloor with drone-rock obsessions and industrial rhythms.
This is a night dedicated to those seeking intensity and truth in the city’s sound, where the music merges with the strobe lights and the raw energy of the pit.

Nikos Kalafatis: Primavera
2026-05-16 10:00 - 18:00 | Technohoros Art Gallery, 12 Lempesi, Athens, 117 42, Greece
Nikos Kalafatis presents Primavera, an exhibition curated by Athena Schina, at Technohoros Art Gallery. It is a vibrant, optimistic, and deeply personal tribute to the natural world. For Kalafatis, nature isn’t just a subject; it’s a constant source of daily observation and artistic discovery. Taking the energy of spring as his starting point, the artist creates a world where simple, discarded materials are granted a second life. Driftwood, metals, ropes, feathers, and various objets trouvés are meticulously transformed through painting, sculpture, and engraving into works brimming with poetry, ingenuity, and a subtle touch of wit.
This isn’t just a traditional look at the outdoors; it’s an invitation to adopt a lighter, more observant way of being, one that is open to the “everyday miracles” of the city and beyond. In the heart of the festival, Primavera proves that spring isn’t just a season; it’s a creative state of mind.

The Gift That Remained Unopened!
2026-05-16 11:00 - 12:30 | National Garden, Vas. Amalias 1, Athens, Athens, 105 57, Greece
A secret parcel, hidden among the centuries-old thickets of the National Garden, awaits its first explorers. For the Athens City Festival 2026, the B. & M. Theocharakis Foundation invites young citizens to an unconventional adventure blurring the lines between detective work and fine art. Armed with magnifying glasses and “scientific” gloves, children will track the artistic footprints of the legendary Stephen Antonakos.

Drawing inspiration from the artist’s iconic “Travel Collages” and “Packages”, participants dive into the world of conceptual art through immersive role-playing and team missions. They will discover how a simple journey transforms into a collage and how a sealed package can contain entire universes, eventually crafting their own original masterpieces using organic materials gathered directly from the Garden’s ecosystem.

For 50 years, this mysterious “gift” has sat patiently in the heart of the city’s most iconic green space. By turning Antonakos’ legacy of sealed artworks into a living, breathing mystery, this event offers a rare, hands-on exploration of the intersection between art and the environment.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Andreas Spiliotopoulos: Heroes of Today
2026-05-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Astrolavos Art Gallery, 11 Xanthippou, Kolonaki, 106 75, Greece
Astrolavos Art Gallery presents the solo painting exhibition of Andreas Spiliotopoulos, titled “Heroes of Today”—a body of work that brings classical art into a direct dialogue with contemporary pop culture. Drawing influence from the allegorical and monumental traditions of painting, as well as the kinetic energy and narrative drive of comic books, the artist creates dense, multi-layered compositions teeming with parallel action.

On his canvases, joy coexists with fear, irony with drama, and the mundane with the hyperbolic. These modern-day “heroes” are not supernatural figures, but characters of contemporary life navigating fragility, intensity, and humour. The exhibition offers a vivid and penetrating look at our world, suggesting that the comic and the tragic are, ultimately, two sides of the same narrative coin.

Vera Stavrinadi: Pop-Up Frequencies
2026-05-16 11:00 - 15:00 | Astrolavos Art Gallery, 11 Xanthippou, Kolonaki, 106 75, Greece
Astrolavos Art Gallery hosts “Pop-Up Frequencies”, a striking sculptural intervention by Vera Stavrinadi that occupies the gallery space with undeniable presence and style. Monumental sculptures in the form of contemporary totems alternate with smaller floor and wall-mounted pieces, all bathed in the vibrant, fluorescent hues of pop culture and comic- book aesthetics.

With a sarcastic yet playful approach that draws on the world of children’s toys, the artist opens a fragmented dialogue regarding the values of modern society. By casting a critical eye on consumerist tropes and contemporary superficiality, Stavrinadi successfully marries a sharp perspective with an irresistibly joyful dimension. This experience invites us to view the “idols” of our everyday lives through a new, luminous, and subversive frequency.

Panos Charalambous: COLUMBIA
2026-05-16 11:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Dimitra Siaterli: Cohesive Networks
2026-05-16 11:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-17 10:00 - 16:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
This solo exhibition by Dimitra Siaterli is presented as a fascinating journey connecting the artist’s past and present. Spanning from the 1980s and 90s right through to her brand-new productions, the exhibition unfolds in three sections that feel like acts in a play. Visitors will wander through a world of strange minerals, fossils, and mythical creatures, eventually arriving at an “anatomy” of the human form through striking sculptures, meshes, and engravings. Tiny human figures seem to leap out from labyrinths and processions, creating a playful tension between myth and reality. This is an experiential journey that reminds us of the vital human need for connection and our place as a precious part of a vast, collective network. It is a study of coexistence, delivered in a visual language that speaks to the heart about the time and space we all share

Nikolas Klironomos: A Retrospective (1985–2025)
2026-05-16 11:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-17 10:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Giorgos Louloudis: The Path of Light – The Innate
2026-05-16 12:00 - 15:00 | Genesis Gallery, Ippokratous 121, Athens, Athens, 114 72, Greece
In his new solo exhibition at Gallery Genesis, Giorgos Louloudis places light centre stage, moving beyond its role as a mere physical phenomenon.The artist turns his focus toward the small Greek chapels and their unique relationship with the landscape, transforming them into potent symbols of hope, silence, and internal quest. These works function as quiet stations of contemplation, where physical space and psychological experience are inextricably linked.

Through a powerful expressionist style, Louloudis’s painted surfaces gain emotional intensity and depth. Light becomes an inner necessity, a force that guides the viewer toward a deeply personal reading of the work. This exhibition speaks to the universal need for solace and the enduring power of hope, asserting art’s ability to serve as a point of renewal and reflection in demanding times.

Dr. Yiannis N. Tzortzis: Greenland
2026-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | a.antonopoulou.art Gallery, 20 Aristofanous, Athens, 105 54, Greece
The gallery a.antonopoulou.art hosts the solo photography exhibition “Greenland” by Dr. Yiannis N. Tzortzis, a body of work that seamlessly merges artistic sensitivity with a sharp environmental consciousness. Through his lens, the frozen landscapes of the North are revealed in all their rare beauty and profound fragility, opening an essential dialogue on the climate crisis and the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world. Here, the image transcends simple documentation; it becomes a catalyst for reflection.

The exhibition carries significant weight as it highlights the delicate balance between natural heritage, the geopolitical importance of resources, and our collective responsibility toward the environment. Viewers are invited to perceive Greenland not merely as a site of immense aesthetic power, but as one of the most critical frontiers for contemplating the planet’s present and future. This is a multi-layered experience with a clear ecological and contemporary footprint.

Marilia Fotopoulou: Iconostases
2026-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Evgenia Grigoraki: Roadside Shrines
2026-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre, 48 Armatolon-Klefton, Athens, 114 71, Greece
The Ileana Tounta Contemporary Art Centre presents a solo exhibition by Evgenia Grigoraki titled “Roadside Shrines”, a photographic series focusing on a familiar yet often overlooked element of the Greek landscape. Through a personal and direct lens, the artist approaches these shrines not merely as markers of memory and faith, but as small, paradoxical presences that persist in inhabiting public spaces—alongside roads, around bends, and throughout our daily commutes.

The strength of the exhibition lies in this experiential, almost tender observation. Under Grigoraki’s gaze, these shrines are transformed into objects of artistic exploration, highlighting their enduring stability and the specific meaning they continue to hold within Greek society. It is an exhibition that bridges the everyday gaze with folk tradition, inviting us to pause once more before one of the most characteristic and poignant sights of the Greek roadside. Presented alongside Marilia Fotopoulou’s exhibition, the show will offer you the chance to explore two different yet complementary photographic interpretations of the same subject.

Inna Orlik: The Permanent Collection
2026-05-16 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.

K-Pop World Festival Greece
2026-05-16 12:00 - 23:00 | Kolonos Theatre, Ioanninon & Kapaneos, Athens, 104 44, Greece
The unstoppable energy of South Korea lands in Athens for K-Wave Night 2026, an electric celebration of the K-pop culture that has taken the planet by storm. In collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, the This is Athens City Festival hosts an evening of world-class dance, raw talent, and the neon-lit pulse of modern Seoul.

Whether you’re a K-pop stan or a curious newcomer, this night promises an experience overflowing with excitement and vitality. This isn’t just a showcase—it’s a high-stakes arena where Greece’s most dynamic performers compete for a coveted spot in the global grand finale of the K-pop World Festival in Changwon.

The night’s winners will be put forward to the KBS network, potentially launching their journey to Korea. It’s a festival within a festival—a celebration of inspiration, connection, and the freedom of expression, proving that music and dance can bridge the gap between cities, cultures, and continents.

Exercises in Unknown Dreams
2026-05-16 13:00 - 14:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
Proud to be hosting a cross-art collaboration that unites the spoken word, sound, and visual imagery. Composer and guitarist Paris Paraschopoulos presents his new album, “Exercises in Unknown Dreams”, setting the poems of contemporary Greek creators to music. The evocative voice of Anni Onoufriou brings these lyrics to life, but the evening offers an extra visual dimension: the live presence of Nikolas Klironomos, who will be there to engage in a dialogue with the audience and his own artworks. It’s a deep dive into modern Greek creativity, showing how different art forms can feed off one another.

This activity is only available in Greek.

The First Cemetery of Athens: An Open-Air Sculpture Gallery 1
2026-05-16 17:00 - 19:00 | First Cemetery of Athens, Logginou 3, Athens, Athens, 116 36, Greece
“The Athens Cemetery encompasses the entire movement of modern sculpture.” With these words, the great sculptor Thomas Thomopoulos captured the unique essence of the First Cemetery of Athens over a century ago.

As part of the This is Athens City Festival 2026, archaeologist and certified guide Michalis Giohalas will lead us through this extraordinary open-air museum, where art, history, and memory are inextricably linked. From the illustrious names of modern Greek sculpture to the poignant human stories behind every grave, this guided tour is a captivating journey through time. You will discover the hidden facets of funerary art and the very human passions that inspired it. The thirst for legacy, fierce artistic rivalries, and the unrequited loves that remain eternally etched in marble. It is a rare, reflective path of high aesthetics that invites you to uncover the history of Athens through the silent yet imposing presence of its most beautiful monuments.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Yoga Sessions
2026-05-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Rizari Park, Rizari 5, Athens, Athens, 106 76, Greece
Rizari Park is transforming into the quietest, yet most radiant, spot in the city. Think of it as a lush green sanctuary right in the heart of Athens, where time seems to slow down and the city’s daily hum just fades away behind the trees.

As part of the This is Athens City Festival, our Yoga Sessions are back, inviting you to roll out your mat on the grass and get in sync with your body and breath. Practising under the shade of the trees with the open sky above is a total game-changer, it’s a chance to reconnect with yourself and the city in a whole new way.

We’ve got some fantastic instructors on hand to guide everyone from total beginners to seasoned yogis through a harmonious flow focused on balance, focus, and finding that inner alignment. Every inhale brings a fresh burst of energy, and every exhale lets go of the day’s tension.

It’s that lovely moment when Athens reveals its serene side—a gentle reminder that wellbeing isn’t a luxury, it’s a rhythm we can all find together.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Deer Islnd
2026-05-16 19:00 - 23:00 | Dora Stratou Theatre, 33 Arakinthou, Filopappou Hill, Athens, 117 41, Greece
In one of Athens’ most atmospheric spots, the Dora Stratou Theater, where history intersects with contemporary dance music, Deer Islnd promises a night fueled by rhythm and the authentic vibe of a close-knit crew. Prepare to be swept away by a musical experience that dissolves the borders between sunset beats and the deep down city, all under the shadow of the Acropolis.

Deer Islnd was born from a group of friends who met on an island, shared a deep passion for electronic music, and decided to bring that coastal energy back to the capital. Years later, they’ve left an indelible mark on the Athenian club scene, counting one successful event after another.

With the legendary VW van as their emblem, rather than a deer, as many mistakenly assume, the team takes over the Dora Stratou Theater, adding another epic milestone to their party map.I

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.

Imamu
2026-05-16 19:00 - 23:00 | Klafthmonos Square, Klaftmonos Square, Athens, Athens, 105 61, Greece
Imamu is more than just a series of music events; it is an experience that treats nightlife as a contemporary ritual. Drawing its name from the concept of the “spiritual leader,” the project creates an environment where rhythm, atmosphere, and emotional intensity collide, transforming the dancefloor into a space for connection and release.

You are invited to surrender to a night that breaks away from standard club formats to make room for a truly immersive musical experience. Guided by melodic techno and a sound enriched with atmospheric indie vocals and earthy Afro-house shades, Imamu crafts a setting that is both deeply sensory and welcoming. It is the perfect destination for those who love music that builds atmosphere and draws you in without haste. Under the Athenian sky, rhythm becomes a universal language, and the night takes on the character of a collective experience that stays with you long after the final track.
