This is Athens City Festival

Agia Fanfara and DJ Spery
2025-05-08 19:30 - 23:00 (Europe/Athens) | Monastiraki Square, Moanstiraki Square, Athens, Athens, 105 57, Greece
Agia Fanfara, the 25-piece brass, woodwind, and percussion band, is more than just a musical ensemble—it’s a phenomenon! Humble in nature, they have captured the hearts of the Greek public and, unwittingly, become superstars.

Get ready for another unforgettable musical experience! Agia Fanfara kicks off their parade at Monastiraki Square, winds its way through Adrianou Street, and ends at Theseion Square, bringing an unforgettable musical celebration. Joining them, DJ Spery will elevate the night with her Balkan music collection.

Vassilis Karakatsanis: Urban Tools
2025-05-08 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-05-09 12:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Genesis Gallery, Ippokratous 121, Athens, Athens, 114 72, Greece
Vassilis Karakatsanis invites us on a journey through the spectrum of contemporary existence—a complex, ever-evolving interplay of memories, collective narratives and social dynamics. His exhibition Urban Tools unfolds as a compelling dialogue between past and present, the personal and the monumental. Seven large-scale paintings, accompanied by numerous smaller works—created using acrylic, oil and gouache on canvas—invite a deep exploration of life in all its textures and tones. At the heart of Karakatsanis’ practice lies a transcendent inner process shaped by memory and materiality. The exhibition title hints at the hidden mechanisms that define a place’s essence: the subtle, often invisible tools that help us navigate, define and interpret the environments we inhabit—as well as those that shape and compose our very being. The urban landscape is not only his subject matter; it becomes his medium. Each brushstroke reveals the layered relationship between its singularity and the stories it holds. Symbols of personal and collective identity, ideology and emotion are interwoven into the fabric of daily life.

Opening night: Thursday 8 May 2025, 20:00

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

1st Athens International Youth Theatre Festival
2025-05-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Plato’s Academy Park, Monastiriou 138, Athens, Athens, 104 42, Greece
In the Park of Plato’s Academy, a place of particular significance, the Athens International Youth Theatre Festival “City-Citizen-Culture” will take place for the first time from May 8th to 9th.

Initiated by the Festival of the Municipality of Athens and supported by the Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, Athens is transformed into a living monument, inviting participants to reflect on the contemporary challenges for Democracy, the State, and the Citizen.

More than 250 students from Athens, Kallithea, Acharnes, Glyfada, Nea Propontida, and Syracuse, using Ancient Drama as an educational tool, will present theatrical performances. Through this creative coexistence, they will exchange thoughts and emotions, experiencing Athens as a global symbol of Democracy.

“Polis-Citizen-Culture” marks the birth of an institution that will promote Athens as a tourist destination, highlight the value of ancient drama, and emphasize the importance of safeguarding fundamental concepts such as the Citizen and Democracy, which are being tested in our times.

Friday, May 9th
10:00 – 10:40 The Birds / Music School of Athens
11:00 – 11:40 With Branches of Supplication / Varvakeio Model Gymnasium
12.00-12.40 Nekyia 2015 AD In Memory Of / 3rd Vocational High School of Acharnes
13.00-13.40 Thesmophoriazusae / 5th Lyceum of Glyfada

CONQUISTADORS
2025-05-09 10:00 - 18:00, 2025-05-10 11:00 - 15:00 | Macart’s Cultural Space, Lenorman 244, Athens, Athens, 104 43, Greece
Nikos Kyriakopoulos and his conquistadors disembark on Lenorman Street.

Dragons and wild beasts, locals and conquistadors—and even Death himself—battle deep in untrodden jungles.

The thirty-six works in this exhibition are not intended to serve History or the historical genre of painting. Instead, the artist draws his material from the mythos surrounding the Age of Discovery, crafting images that move beyond naturalism, both in form and content. Created using monotype, a technique dating back to the 16th century, the works gain added resonance when paired with the fantastical stories they depict. The adventures of the characters serve as a point of departure—not only for the adventures of line and colour, but also for reflection on themes such as desire, fear, conflict and illusion.

Opening: Thursday 8 May 2025, 19:30–23:00

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00–18:00 Saturday: 11:00–15:00 Closed on Sunday

Group Exhibition: Abandoned Cartographies and Other Odd Hours
2025-05-09 11:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-10 11:00 - 16:00 | CAN Christina Androulidaki Gallery, Chalkokondyli 19, Athens, Athens, 104 32, Greece
The exhibition Abandoned Cartographies and Other Odd Hours explores uncharted regions of the subconscious, forming a constellation of inquiries that defy rationality, order and narrative coherence. It focuses on lived experiences that elude conscious perception and information, opening up pathways to introspection and revealing hidden layers of the psyche. At the same time, it activates stimuli that unearth buried memories and latent anxieties.

Curated by: Dinos Chatzirafailidis

Participating artists: Elli Antoniou, Giorgos Yiatromanolakis, Konstantinos Lianos, Stefania Strouza, Dimitris Tampakis, Sokratis Fatouros, Despina Charitonidi, James Fuller, Shambhavi Kaul, Louis-Philippe Scoufaras, Sasha Streshna

Opening hours: Tuesday – Friday: 11:00–15:00 & 17:00–20:00 Saturday: 11:00–16:00

Welcome to Our Community - Guided Tour at the Jewish Museum of Greece
2025-05-09 11:30 - 12:30 | The Jewish Museum of Greece, Nikis 39, Athens, Athens, 105 57, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek. Themed Tour: Welcome to Our Community This guided tour offers an exploration of the cultural heritage of the Greek-Jewish communities, through their religious art, music, customs, and traditions. Visitors will discover sacred objects, Torah scrolls, and other traditional artefacts, uncover musical traditions and songs that accompany religious ceremonies, and learn about the distinctive recipes and flavours connected to Jewish festivals and customs. The tour provides a vivid glimpse into Jewish life in Greece, expressed through art, music, and everyday practices.

Vassilis Papageorgiou - Painting and Sculpture: Lignea Creatura Stans
2025-05-09 11:30 - 20:30, 2025-05-10 11:30 - 15:00 | Gallery Ersi, Kleomenous 4, Athens, Athens, 106 75, Greece
The worlds of plants, animals and humans—along with legend, myth, imagination and dream—form the basis of Vassilis Papageorgiou’s new artistic exploration. His paradoxical heroes and hand-crafted wooden creatures inhabit both two- and three-dimensional space in a state of perpetual whirling. Through an aesthetic lens, Papageorgiou reflects on the consequences of humanity’s destructive impact on the natural world. From this meditation, he generates new values—drawn from the cultural references of nature and tradition—that define the conditions for coexistence.

Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 11:30–14:30 & 17:30–20:30 Saturday: 11:30–15:00

Protogenous Spring City
2025-05-09 17:00 - 23:00 | Protogenous Str., Protogenous Street, Athens, Athens, 105 54, Greece
Prototogenous Street is a perfect example of how a narrow, once-forgotten alley in the city centre can become an essential destination. Today, it’s a vibrant meeting point for every kind of urban culture—a street that never sleeps, where you can find music, food, fashion, furniture, sweets, drinks, good vibes and, this May, a three-day celebration packed with live shows, DJ sets, street food, pop-up markets and surprises.

On the second weekend of May, Psyrri’s beating heart celebrates spring’s arrival with fashion bazaars, open-air performances and DJ sets in a street party you won’t want to miss.

Friday 9 May: DJ set Driving In Reverse (Makis Papasimakopoulos, Pene, Vercetti Technicolor)

Free entry | Starts at 17:00

In collaboration with: Barrett, Syd Records, Crust, Ringo Kalamaki Pub, Tranzistor, Kokkion, Color Skates, Like Yesterdays, Prime Timers, The Potheads, Treasure Hunt, The Fountain, Badila, Lemon Poppy Seed.

World of Beer Festival
2025-05-09 17:00 - 23:30, 2025-05-10 14:00 - 23:30 | Technopolis City of Athens, Pireos 100, Athens, Athens, 118 54, Greece
Looking for a different kind of day (or night) out? Love beer, good music and stand-up comedy? Obsessed with festivals?The World of Beer Festival—the biggest beer festival in Greece—is coming to Technopolis City of Athens, from 9 to 11 May.
Whether you’re into Lager, Ale, Weiss, Pils, Pale Ale, Trappist, Abbey, Tripel, Dinkel, Draught or even cider, you’ll find countless labels from top breweries and microbreweries. Expect excellent comfort and street food, beer-pairing snacks, glassware, serving accessories and more.
Live music takes the stage every day with artists like Onirama, Stavento, Melina Kana, Christos Dantis, Ypogeia Revmata, Giagkinides, Wedding Singers, The Speakeasies Swing Band and Prestige the Band.
Comedy favourites Lambros Fisfis and Dionysis Atzarakis will also perform stand-up and sit-down shows as special guest hosts.
Grab your ticket now at worldofbeerfestival.gr and enjoy the presale price of just €5.*
*Tickets during the festival will be available online and at the gate for €7.
Bonus tip:All visitors will receive a tote bag on entry with exclusive branded gifts—including a 330ml beer glass with a 100ml mark, a coaster, and more surprises.

Fairy Tales in the Garden: Georgia Lebesi - Giannis Psariotis
2025-05-09 18:00 - 19:30 | National Garden, Vas. Amalias 1, Athens, Athens, 105 57, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

Waves of wanderlust have brought us tales!

Like a wandering bird, the sea wave carries voices of distant, great storytellers… and they tell you lies and they tell you the truth! Get into our boat, and let’s tell stories!

Come, let’s follow the heroes of Greek fairy tales! From the Ionian to the Dodecanese, from the Sporades to the Cyclades! Let’s set sail on magical ships, fight dragons and giants, outsmart mermaids and fairies! Forward, let’s go!

A storytelling performance for the whole family!

Evi Papagianni: A Finding Place
2025-05-09 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-10 11:00 - 15:00 | Mosaico Fine Art Studio, Kesarias 18-20, Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
Mosaico Fine Art Studio presents the exhibition “A Finding Place” by artist and art therapist Paraskevi Papagianni.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 18:00–21:00, Saturday: 11:00–15:00, Closed on Sunday

Athens StartUp Block Party
2025-05-09 18:00 - 23:00 | Agion Asomaton Square, Agion Asomaton Square, Athens, Athens, 105 53, Greece
On Friday May 9, the city comes alive for one of its most exciting nights of the year. The Athens Startup Block Party transforms the Plateia Agion Asomaton Thiseio into an open-air celebration of music, innovation and community, right beneath the glow of the Acropolis. This is the official closing event of Panathēnea, a new international festival dedicated to innovation and culture. Inspired by the creative spirit of ancient Athens, the festival brings together founders, creators and curious minds from around the world.
At the heart of the night is Fideles, the celebrated Italian electronic duo known for their emotional and high-intensity performances. After playing global stages like Afterlife and Tomorrowland, they now bring their signature melodic techno to the streets of Athens for the first time.
Opening the event is Man With The Speaker, a rising talent delivering raw and rhythm-heavy beats that will ignite the square and set the tone for the night ahead. This is a citywide invitation to dance together. Whether you are a local, a founder, an artist or a visitor just passing through, the Athens Startup Block Party is where you will want to be.
Participation Fee:
Free and open to all

Queer Movie Nights
2025-05-09 18:00 - 23:30 | Trianon Cinema, Kodrigktonos 21, Athens, Athens, 104 34, Greece
Queer Movie Nights is a one-of-a-kind celebration of LGBTQI+ cinema in Athens. Launched in May 2022 to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia and Interphobia, the series has since evolved into a dedicated platform for screening queer short and feature films, as well as documentaries. Its mission is to create a safe, expressive space where queer stories from around the world can shine through the powerful lens of cinema.

Food and Wine Experience - Nyn Esti - EMST
2025-05-09 20:00 - 23:00 | Nyn Esti, Nyn Esti, Athens, Greece, 11743, Greece
The richness of the Greek vineyard meets some of Athens’ most celebrated culinary talents in a series of exclusive events set in the city’s most iconic museums. Expect award-winning wines from top estates, hidden gems from across the country, and flavour pairings that showcase the best of Greek terroir in bold and unexpected ways.

Welcome Bites
Beef tartare – royal dates – saffron Savoury pancake – arseniko cheese from Naxos – eel from Arta
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou Xinomavro Rosé

Menu
Leafy textures – wild greens – raw grape molasses (unheated)
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou White

Valley shrimp – arbutus berries – hibiscus Calamari – bottarga essence – chrysanthemum
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia

Smoked scallop – yeast emulsion – XO sauce
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou Viognier

Ray confit in bitter orange leaves – potato espuma
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou Chardonnay

Guinea fowl – wild mushrooms – cocoa – green olive oil – thyme – cardamom
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou Avaton Rose

yoghurt – white chocolate
Wine pairing: Ktima Gerovassiliou Late Harvest Malagousia

Reservasion is required: +30 698 943 8866

Guided Tour at the Elytis House - Museum
2025-05-10 10:30 - 11:30 | Elytis’ House – Museum, Polygnotou 7, Athens, Athens, 105 55, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

Step inside the Elytis House Museum, a neoclassical gem in the heart of Plaka, and explore the world of Nobel Laureate Odysseas Elytis through a guided tour of its permanent exhibition. Rare manuscripts, Greek and international editions, paintings, personal artefacts, and the poet’s original writing desk—all housed in the space where he lived and worked for decades—offer an intimate experience of one of Greece’s most iconic literary figures.

Karagiozis the Ecologist
2025-05-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments “Fivos Anoyanakis” – Centre for Ethnomusicology, Diogenous 1, Athens, Athens, 105 56, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

A brand-new comedy full of hilarious lines from Makris’ beloved Karagiozis—perfect for the whole family! In Karagiozis the Environmentalist, Greece’s favourite barefoot shadow puppet hero faces a mysterious threat hiding in the leaves of the tree outside his shack. Anyone who walks under it ends up cursed with misfortune. The Pasha orders the tree to be cut down—but Karagiozis has other ideas. To him, trees are sacred: they offer oxygen, shade and beauty to the world, and must be protected. Will he find a clever way to save the tree and banish the evil lurking in its branches?

Anything but Marble
2025-05-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Museum of Cycladic Art, Neofytou Douka 4, Athens, Athens, 106 74, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

For nearly 60 years, British artist Phyllida Barlow created monumental installations that were both threatening and playful. She made large-scale sculptures using cheap, humble materials such as cardboard, fabric, plywood, gauze, and plaster. As she herself states, “In the past, sculpture carried historical narratives. Marble dominated and celebrated individuals.” One of the individuals traditionally celebrated in sculpture was Darwin, who was a distant relative of hers—something she carefully concealed to avoid being seen as “privileged” because of her lineage. By rejecting traditional sculpture, she renounced her own past through her work, forging her unique artistic identity. Drawing inspiration from her practice, we will work with humble materials and create small-scale hanging sculptures. Workshop leaders: Vivian Emmanouilidou, Visual Artist – Museum Educator & Magda Athanasiou, Educator – Museum Educator.

The workshop is aimed at children aged 7-11.

A Tour of Rizokastro and the Anafiotika Area
2025-05-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Acropolis Metro Station, Makrygianni 9, Athens, Athens, 117 42, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

Archaeologist Michalis Giohalas, in collaboration with the This is Athens City Festival, leads a walking tour through Anafiotika and its layered history. Rizokastro—the area nestled at the root of the Sacred Rock—and Anafiotika are among the most historic quarters of Athens. Using surviving monuments and buildings, remnants of lost structures, and even the street names as our guide, we’ll attempt to piece together the memory and image of a city that feels both different and not entirely lost. This journey will tune in to the lingering echoes of beliefs, myths and legends tied to ancient places that still endure in the present day.

A reservation is required.

Shadow Puppet Cases Narrate
2025-05-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments “Fivos Anoyanakis” – Centre for Ethnomusicology, Diogenous 1, Athens, Athens, 105 56, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

A unique experience for both young and old fans of the beloved folk hero. Authentic evidence of a rich tradition through the life and work of renowned shadow puppeteers, offering a historical overview from 1890 to 2000.

Ten artistic installations, ten suitcases filled with authentic items such as puppets, backdrops, tools, manuscripts, as well as rare recordings, all tell a great story, providing the joy of discovery.

Giorgos Gyzis: Clippings: Athens
2025-05-10 12:00 - 17:00 | Ikastikos Kyklos, Akadimias 6, Athens, Athens, 106 71, Greece
Clippings: Athens presents the third series of paintings inspired by clippings sourced from old newspapers. Photographs, drawings, and articles about Athens emerge from the archives, transformed into visual artworks that evoke emotion. The works on display offer a brief journey through the evolving form of Athens, beginning with the distinctive sketches by 19th-century British travellers in Attica and culminating in the height of modernism during the 1950s and 60s.

Exhibition Opening: Saturday 10 May 2025, 12:00–17:00 Opening Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00–14:30 / 17:30–20:30

Wednesday, Saturday: 11:00–16:00

Closed Sunday and Monday

Protogenous Spring City
2025-05-10 17:00 - 23:00 | Protogenous Str., Protogenous Street, Athens, Athens, 105 54, Greece
Prototogenous Street is a perfect example of how a narrow, once-forgotten alley in the city centre can become an essential destination. Today, it’s a vibrant meeting point for every kind of urban culture—a street that never sleeps, where you can find music, food, fashion, furniture, sweets, drinks, good vibes and, this May, a three-day celebration packed with live shows, DJ sets, street food, pop-up markets and surprises.

On the second weekend of May, Psyrri’s beating heart celebrates spring’s arrival with fashion bazaars, open-air performances and DJ sets in a street party you won’t want to miss.

Saturday 10 May: Deaf Radio The Page Of Cups DJ set: Fotini Galani

Free entry | Starts at 17:00

In collaboration with: Barrett, Syd Records, Crust, Ringo Kalamaki Pub, Tranzistor, Kokkion, Color Skates, Like Yesterdays, Prime Timers, The Potheads, Treasure Hunt, The Fountain, Badila, Lemon Poppy Seed.

Collage Journeys: Self and Travel
2025-05-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Mosaico Fine Art Studio, Kesarias 18-20, Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
This activity is only available in Greek.

Participants are invited to take part in the Collage Journeys: Imaginary Cities workshop. Using the flexible medium of collage and a variety of materials, attendees will explore the idea of travel and create their own imagined cities—visualising dreamlike places and routes. The workshop is led by artist and art therapist Paraskevi Papagianni, who will provide inspiration and gentle guidance throughout the process.

In the Streets We Dance with Egyptian Lover
2025-05-10 17:30 - 23:00 | Korai Square, Korai 1, Athens, Athens, 105 64, Greece
Egyptian Lover is one of the most legendary figures in the electronic music scene. A pioneer of the electro sound and a true icon of the early ’80s West Coast scene, he’s known for bringing the same unstoppable energy to his sets today as he did back then. His shows aren’t just heard—they’re experienced.

Presented by Cannibal Radio and B-Side.
