Festivals and holidays
The fixed points of the Greek year in Athens, and the festivals worth planning a trip around.
Dates marked confirmed come from the organiser. Dates marked annual happen every year but the next date is not published yet, so check before you book.
Events and Festivals
Time your trip around one of these and you will see Athens at its most alive. Orthodox dates move each year, so check locally before booking.
Apokries Carnival
February to March, before Lent (dates vary). Street parties and costume parades in Plaka and Monastiraki, ending on Clean Monday with kite flying at Filopappou Hill.
Photo: JFKennedy at English Wikipedia, Public domain (PD-user), via Wikimedia Commons
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Greek Independence Day
25 March. A military parade through the centre and the ceremonial changing of the Evzones guard at Parliament.
Photo: Jebulon, CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), via Wikimedia Commons
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Greek Orthodox Easter
April or early May, dates vary (2027: 30 April to 3 May). The biggest event of the Greek year. The midnight Resurrection on Lycabettus Hill fills the city with candlelight and fireworks over the Acropolis.
Photo: Barcex, CC BY-SA 3.0 (multi licensed, also GFDL and CC BY-SA 2.5), via Wikimedia Commons
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Athens and Epidaurus Festival
June to August. Ancient drama, music and dance at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Roman theatre below the Acropolis.
Festival ticketsPhoto: Bobby H, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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August Full Moon
One night in August (date varies). The Acropolis and major museums open for free at night with live music.
Photo: Yair-haklai, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Athens Marathon
November (2026: 8 November). The original marathon route, finishing in the marble Panathenaic Stadium.
Photo: Marcok, CC BY-SA 3.0 (multi licensed, also GFDL and CC BY-SA 2.5, 2.0 and 1.0), via Wikimedia Commons
Leave a reviewDated festivals and holidays
Radio Sounds Festival: Kosmos 93.6 at 25, with Tiwayo, Imany and Alkyone at the SNFCC Lighthouse
The radio station Kosmos 93.6 marks 25 years on air with three days of live shows, DJ sets (some vinyl only) and talks at the SNFCC Lighthouse: the French soul singer Tiwayo on Friday (his first time in Greece), the open discussion AI Or Not AI? and a vinyl party on Saturday, and an acoustic radio show with Imany followed by Alkyone and her band on Sunday.
Byzantine Music Days
A four day festival of Byzantine music on the Greek National Opera calendar. Greek title: «Ημέρες Βυζαντινής Μουσικής».
Contemporary Music Days
A festival of new music on the Greek National Opera calendar, on four dates in late October. Greek title: «Ημέρες Σύγχρονης Μουσικής».
Ohi Day
National holiday marking Greece's refusal of the 1940 ultimatum. A large military and school parade runs through the centre. The parade and the Evzones
Early Music Days festival
A themed festival of early music on the GNO Alternative Stage, after its Byzantine Music Days and Contemporary Music Days.
Christmas and New Year in the city
The main tree goes up in Syntagma Square, with a festive programme of concerts, markets and ice rinks across the centre.
International Festival of New Theatre Media
The National Theatre's new international festival, first edition on the theme of collective and personal memory: three international productions and one new Greek production commissioned through an open call. Greek title: «Διεθνές Φεστιβάλ Νέων Θεατρικών Μέσων».
Apokries Carnival
Three weeks of costume parades and street parties before Lent, at their liveliest around Plaka and Monastiraki. Monastiraki is the middle of it
Clean Monday and kite flying
The first day of Lent. Families head outdoors to fly paper kites and eat lenten food, traditionally on Filopappou Hill.
Greek Independence Day
National holiday marking the start of the 1821 revolution. A military parade passes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Greek Orthodox Easter
The largest event of the Greek year. The midnight Resurrection service fills the city with candlelight and fireworks.
Athens and Epidaurus Festival
Ancient drama, music and dance at the Roman odeon below the Acropolis, and at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus.