Athens Festivals & Cultural Events

Greece presents a large variety of events; cultural, religious, sports, etc. Athens, being the most populated city, is the host of the most, as thousands of individuals attend each of them. Numerous festivals of different types are organized throughout the year, offering people memorable moments of amusement!
Some are held in outdoor areas in summer while most events in winter take place in the Concert Hall of Athens.

Cultural events

• Athens Epidaurus Festival
The Athens Epidaurus Festival takes place in various places in Athens (Herodes Atticus Theatre and normal theatres or cultural venues) and also in the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Little Theatre of Epidaurus. It offers a large range of performances: modern and ancient theatre, ballet, opera, jazz and classical music, dances, symphonic music and great singers and many other special events. The festival takes place from early June to late August.
Official website: www.aefestival.gr
Tel: +30 210 928 2900

• Athens Jazz
The Athens Jazz Festival has taken place every year since 2001 and is the oldest musical institution in Athens with free entry. It takes place around early June and is hosted in the Technopolis of Gazi.
Official website: www.athensjazz.gr
Tel: +30 213 0109300

• Rockwave Festival
The Rockwave Festival welcomes international bands and musicians every summer. It takes place in Malakasa, about 40 km north of Athens.
Official website: www.rockwavefestival.gr
Tel: +30 210 364 3468

• Traditional Dancing Performances
Every year, the Theatre of Dora Stratou presents performances of traditional Greek dances. All dancers wear traditional Greek costumes.
Official website: www.grdance.org
Tel: +30 210 324 4395

• Release Festival
Release Athens Festival was established in 2016 and has become a trademark music event ever since. It takes place every summer at Platia Nerou (Water Square) in Faliro.
Official website: www.releaseathens.gr
Tel: +30 210 345 0817

• Digital Arts Festival
The Athens Digital Art Festival started in 2005 and since then it has attracted many fans of digital art. It takes place in venues in Athens center during spring.
Official website: www.adaf.gr
Tel: +30 210 323 0005

• August Full Moon Events
The impressive full moon of August combined with the fact that the Greek capital is an open museum is the reason for the organization of several events. In particular, the Ministry of Culture organizes events for the August Full Moon and offers free admission to selected archaeological and historical sites, museums and monuments. The program includes concerts, theatre performances, stargazing and guided tours.
Official website: www.culture.gov.gr.

Food and Drink

In recent years several food- and drink-related festivals have been established and attract thousands of people who want to try new flavors. Many events and workshops are also part of these festivals. The most common venue for these festivals is the old OSΥ depot in Gazi.

• Athens Street Food Festival
The Athens Street Food Festival took place for the first time in 2016 and since then it hasn't stopped hosting various street food shops. It is one of the biggest festivals in Greece dedicated to food. Its duration changes every year, but it usually lasts 2-4 weeks (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). It takes place in May and/or June.
For more information, you can visit www.athensstreetfoodfestival.gr or call +30 210 963 6489.

• Burger Fest
Burger Fest started in 2014 and is the first food-related festival organized in Greece. It is an equally large festival dedicated to food and more specifically to burgers as its name suggests. It takes place every autumn.
For more information, you can visit www.burgerfest.gr or call +30 698 424 9751.

• Athens Coffee Festival
The Athens Coffee Festival is the annual celebration of coffee in the center of the city. It started in 2016 and attracts thousands of professional baristas and coffee lovers. It takes place during the autumn and lasts for one week.
For more information, you can visit www.athenscoffeefestival.gr or call +30 210 524 2100.

• Chocolate Fest
Chocolate Fest started in 2018 and is the excuse all chocolate lovers need. Many events, workshops and activities for kids happen during the festival, while chocolate is flowing from everywhere! It takes place in February.
For more information, you can visit www.chocolatefest.gr.