This is Athens City Festival

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

Constantine Xenakis – Dimitris Chiotopoulos: Writing and Trace Two Journeys into the Labyrinth
2026-05-16 11:30 - 15:00, 2026-05-18 11:30 - 14:30, 2026-05-18 17:30 - 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.

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.

Christina Paraskevopoulou: Symbioses
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.

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, 2026-05-17 12:00 - 18:00, 2026-05-18 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.

Dimitra Siaterli: Cohesive Networks
2026-05-17 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-19 11:00 - 19:00 | 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

Theatre Battles in Ancient Athens
2026-05-17 11:00 - 12:30 | Epigraphic Museum, Tositsa 1, Athens, Athens, 106 82, Greece
The This is Athens City Festival invites explorers of all ages to an educational adventure that reimagines ancient Athens through the eyes of two real-life legends. Auteas and Philoxenides, two “choregoi” (the visionary sponsors of the time) from Aexone, today’s Glyfada, are making a symbolic comeback 2,300 years later to guide us through the thrilling world of theatrical competitions.

What exactly was the role of a sponsor back then? How were the city’s massive festivals organised? And why was theatre so much more than just a night out? Taking its cue from a rare honorary decree from 313/2 BC housed in the Epigraphical Museum, this session is specially designed for families with children aged 7 to 10. Through storytelling, discovery, and a hands-on creative workshop, kids will dive into ancient drama and the city’s public life in a way that’s interactive, fast-paced, and fun. It’s a chance to pull the past into the present with imagination, play, and a real connection to Athens’ cultural soul.

This activity is only available in Greek.

Guided Tour: Dimitra Siaterli’s "Cohesive Networks"
2026-05-17 13:00 - 14:00 | The City of Athens Gallery, Municipal Gallery of Athens, Athens, Athens, 104 36, Greece
We invite you to a special guided tour of Dimitra Siaterli’s solo exhibition, a journey that peels back the deeper layers of a visual world spanning four decades. As we move among intricate meshes, perforated sculptures, and engravings, a whole “labyrinth” of tiny human figures is gradually revealed.

This is a universe that speaks to our fundamental need to connect, to belong, and to communicate. It is a profound, experiential tour that brings the audience closer to the artist’s work, illuminating the importance of the “cohesive networks” that unite us in a shared present.

This activity is only available in Greek.

A Walk through Rizokastro & Anafiotika
2026-05-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Acropolis Metro Station, Makrygianni 9, Athens, Athens, 117 42, Greece
Rizokastro and Anafiotika, two of the most enchanting and singular corners of Athens, become the backdrop for a journey that weaves together history, memory, and the inexhaustible charm of Plaka. Archaeologist and guide Michalis Giohalas invites us on a route that goes far beyond a typical tour; it is a quest for Athenian identity where the layers of time remain vividly visible.

Guided by surviving monuments, the ghosts of lost buildings, and the hidden details we usually overlook, this walk attempts to reconstruct a different Athens, but certainly not a lost one. Even those who believe they know Plaka inside out will have the chance to see it through a fresh lens where myth, legend, and topography collide. It is an experience that bridges academic insight with the evocative, nostalgic power of our capital’s most authentic neighbourhood.

Meeting Point: Acropolis Metro Station, Makriyianni exit.

This activity is only available in Greek.

E=MC²
2026-05-17 18:00 - 23:00 | Amerikis Square, Patission 167, Athens, Athens, 112 52, Greece
Athens’ big celebration of street culture is back for its seventh round, flipping Amerikis Square into a hub of creativity, energy, and community. E=MC² is the ultimate open-air link-up where the city’s “urban tribes” collide through the four elements of hip-hop, reclaiming the streets in the most creative way possible.

There’s no ego, no entry fee, and no competition, just pure culture. The square is set to ignite with heavy beats, live bars, and spontaneous ciphers as DJs, beatboxers, MCs, and breakin’ crews set the pace. This is hip-hop at its purest: a tool for expression, a bridge for connection, and a platform for everyone to be heard.

Consider this your open invite to catch the vibe, meet the fam, and witness the electric energy of a square that stands for the diversity and unifying power of Athens.

Athens Cocktails
2026-05-17 18:00 - 23:00 | Japanese Park of Athens, Niriidon 12, Athens, Athens, 116 34, Greece
Athens Cocktails returns, bringing with it all the elements that have established it as a seasonal highlight: world-class mixology, adventurous flavours, and a soundtrack that sets the mood from the very first beat. This year, the event takes over one of the city’s most Zen locations, the Japanese Garden, creating a sanctuary that feels worlds away while remaining in the very heart of Athens.

Set against the garden’s exotic, and tranquil backdrop, leading mixologists will showcase signature cocktails that turn a simple drink into a reason for connection, relaxation, and celebration. As the music dictates the rhythm and the sunset completes the scene, the evening takes on an effortless cosmopolitan flair. This is a spring outing that perfectly blends taste, atmosphere, and urban finesse, ideal for those looking to discover a more surprising side of the city centre.

Innersense pres. LTJ Bukem LIVE & Junior SP
2026-05-17 19:00 - 23:00 | Thiseos Square, Athens, 118 51, Greece
This is definitely a headline moment for this year’s This is Athens City Festival. Because when legendary LTJ Bukem steps behind the decks, other DJs listen. This is the man who added layers of cinematic, “intelligent” soul to D&B, proving that 170 BPM could be as atmospheric as a late-night jazz session. This massive billing brings Bukem’s trailiblazing blend and precision to a city ready to vibrate.
Expect a masterclass in sonic world-building: lightning-fast breakbeats anchored by ambient textures and a spiritual freedom that only a true pioneer can command. This isn’t just a night for the dancefloor; it’s a full-body immersion into the sophisticated side of rave culture. It’s about feeling the sub-bass in your chest while your head stays firmly in the clouds.

Joining the icon is Junior SP., a cornerstone of the Greek urban scene since ’92. As the driving force behind Innersense Productions, he’s spent three decades shaping the country’s bass DNA. Having shared stages with everyone from The Prodigy to Wu-Tang Clan, his set promises the kind of raw authenticity and veteran energy that only a true architect of the local scene can deliver.

The Journey of the Serenade
2026-05-18 20:00 - 22:30 | 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.
