From the vibrant rhythms of the 4th Evia Film Project and the 31st Kalamata Dance Festival to the cultural insights of Samos’ “Bridging Cultures” exhibition, Greece’s summer pulses with creativity across regions and genres.
Here, we highlight five standout festivals and a major exhibition shaping the season.
4th Evia Film Project (June 17–21)
The green initiative of the Thessaloniki Film Festival returns to Northern Evia this June, bringing the screen to the sea. The 4th Evia Film Project will unfold in the scenic towns of Agia Anna, Aidipsos, and Limni, turning them into open-air stages for cinema. Free screenings of both classic and contemporary fiction and documentary films, from Greece and around the world, will be held at Apollo (Aidipsos), Elymnion (Limni), and the fishing port of Agia Anna.
In addition, a symposium titled “Filming the Greek Summer: Light and Myth, Stereotypes and Challenges” will take place in Limni, inviting reflection on the cultural narratives shaped by Greek summers.
68th Philippi Festival (July 2–September 7)
A cornerstone of Greece’s theatrical tradition, the Philippi Festival celebrates its 68th edition with an ambitious program spanning over two months. Centered around the ancient theater of Philippi, this year’s lineup features 21 performances, concerts, and five new productions by the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Kavala. The festival also includes the 9th Ancient Drama Workshop and kicks off with a free concert by K. Vita at Elikodromio Beach on July 2.
Sani Festival 2025 (July 12–August 23)
World-class music meets Aegean elegance at the Sani Festival, which this year presents a star-studded lineup: Buena Vista All Stars, Norah Jones, Gloria Gaynor, Grace Jones, Nouvelle Vague, and Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo are among the headline acts. A special tribute will also honor renowned Greek lyricist Lina Nikolakopoulou.
Hosted on the stunning Sani Hill in Halkidiki, the festival continues to set the standard for cultural sophistication by the sea.
31st Kalamata International Dance Festival (July 18–27)
Renowned choreographers and rising stars converge in Kalamata for a celebration of movement and expression. This year’s festival features major figures such as Maguy Marin, Christos Papadopoulos, Damien Jalet, Omar Rajeh, and Kat Válastur.
In collaboration with institutions like the Greek National Opera, the festival also offers dance seminars, film screenings, and free community activities across Kalamata and seven other cities in the Peloponnese.
19th Aegina International Music Festival (August 2–24)
With nearly two decades of summer music behind it, the Aegina Festival returns to celebrate its 20th year. Known for its loyal audience the festival has hosted over 570 musicians in 150 concerts. This summer promises intimate chamber music, vocal performances, musical theater, a tribute to Maurice Ravel, and a surprise grand finale. With performances taking place in enchanting island settings, the festival remains a beloved part of Greece’s cultural calendar.
Bridging Cultures – Art Space Pythagorion, Samos (July 4–October 15)
Rounding off the summer’s offerings is a landmark exhibition on Samos. “Bridging Cultures,” curated by the Schwarz Foundation in collaboration with the German Archaeological Institute, it marks a century of archaeological research on the island.
Through a compelling museological narrative, the exhibition highlights Samos’s long-standing role as a cultural crossroads in the Eastern Mediterranean since the Early Iron Age. Presented at the Art Space Pythagorion, the exhibit offers visitors a deep historical perspective on intercultural exchange.
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