“The City of Athens Festival, now in its fourth year, was created with a clear purpose: to introduce Athenians and international visitors to lesser-known sides of Athens through cultural events held in public spaces—parks, squares, pedestrian streets and more. Many of these spots are unfamiliar or rarely visited, and the public has embraced the initiative wholeheartedly. As a result, the festival has expanded to neighbourhoods across the city with remarkable success.”
“The events cater to all age groups, with many designed for families and children, including storytelling sessions, guided tours for locals and tourists, concerts, street fairs, film screenings, classical-music performances and, of course, the festival’s signature massive street parties.”
“A central aim of the festival is to spotlight Greek artists—especially from the younger generation—to highlight the talent and creativity of the local artistic scene. The festival has brought attention to places and events such as the Academy of Plato, the Varvakeios Central Market, the Kypseli Municipal Market, the parking lot of the Lycabettus Theater, the open-air sculpture garden at the First Cemetery of Athens, Omonia Square, Bei Park and many more.”
“Through the festival, Athens showcases its authenticity as a destination, something that resonates deeply with both Greeks and international visitors who take part in the events. After a decade marked by economic hardship, the city and its residents have emerged with a renewed vitality and openness that is both striking and compelling.”
“The festival reflects this transformation—not by glossing over the past, but by celebrating the fact that the city is alive and thriving, fuelled by incredible human potential and filled with overlooked or forgotten corners that deserve a fresh perspective, all under the singular light of the Attica sky.”
Our Best-of List of the Festival Events
(In no particular order)
