Athens’ premier arts festival, the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, may have wrapped up its 70th anniversary season, but the Herodeion isn’t done just yet. As the city slides into autumn and the nights turn cooler, Athenians and visitors still have the chance to enjoy unforgettable evenings at one of the most magical venues in the world: the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, tucked right beneath the Acropolis.
For decades, this historic Roman theater has been a stage for world-class artists and a favorite spot for audiences who come for the music, the drama, and of course, the breathtaking view of the Parthenon lit up in the background.
But here’s the bittersweet news: starting this fall, the Herodeion will close for at least three years for much-needed restoration. Until then, there’s still time to take your seat on the stone steps and soak in one last round of concerts under the Athenian night sky.
The Program
September 10 – Simkin and the Stars: Athletes of the Gods
World-famous ballet star Daniil Simkin teams up with eleven top dancers from some of the world’s leading ballet companies for a one-of-a-kind evening. Blending classical and contemporary choreography, the performance offers a sweeping journey through dance history — right beneath the Acropolis. Even better, it’s for a good cause: all proceeds go to AURORA, a nonprofit supporting leukemia patients and their families in Greece.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 14 – Odessa National Opera Ballet and Orchestra: Giselle
The ballet and orchestra of the Odessa National Opera, with 120 performers on stage, bring the timeless romantic masterpiece Giselle to Athens. Written in 1841, it remains one of the most beloved and technically demanding works in ballet history. Expect an unforgettable night of beauty, emotion, and world-class artistry.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 15 – “Singing Universal Values” (sold out)
This free concert celebrates solidarity, hope, and the power of music. With performances by Kostas Hatzis and Grigoris Valtinos, the evening supports the work of the Hellenic Red Cross.
September 16 – Minos Matsas: Rebetika II + Fado, Tango & Blues
A musical journey that connects rebetika with fado, tango, and blues — different traditions from around the world, but all sharing stories of love, loss, struggle, and hope. With 15 soloists, guest singers from Greece and abroad, and Minos Matsas leading the way, this concert promises a rich tapestry of sound that travels from Athens to Lisbon, Buenos Aires, and the American South.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 18 – Béjart Ballet Lausanne: Tribute to 100 Years of Mikis Theodorakis
The legendary Béjart Ballet returns to the Herodion for a special evening honoring Mikis Theodorakis on the centenary of his birth. The program includes 7 Greek Dances, choreographed by Maurice Béjart himself, alongside Béjart et nous, a piece that showcases the company’s vibrant repertoire. A dazzling meeting of dance, music, and Greek spirit.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 19 – “The Universal Mikis Theodorakis” with Mario Frangoulis
Beloved tenor Mario Frangoulis leads this grand tribute to Mikis Theodorakis, performing highlights from his timeless work — from Canto General to world-famous film scores like Zorba the Greek. With international guest stars and pianist Tatiana Papageorgiou, this promises to be an unforgettable homage to Greece’s greatest composer.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 20 – Ionian Serenades with the Old Philharmonic of Corfu
The Ionian Islands take the spotlight at the Odeon with a concert celebrating 185 years of the Old Philharmonic of Corfu. Known as one of Greece’s most historic cultural institutions, the 140-member ensemble will perform arias, operettas, cantatas, and stirring orchestral works from the Ionian and Italian repertoire.
Highlights include the legendary funeral march Amleto, traditionally performed during Corfu’s Good Friday procession, as well as excerpts from the Hymn to Liberty by Dionysios Solomos, set to music by Corfu-born composer Nikolaos Mantzaros — the opening verses of which became the Greek national anthem 160 years ago.
This concert also marks the 230th anniversary of Mantzaros’ birth, honoring the great composer, lifelong director of the Philharmonic, and founder of the Ionian School of Music. With their masterful arrangements, striking uniforms, and powerful sound, the Corfu Philharmonic promises an unforgettable evening under the Acropolis.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 21 – Juan Diego Flórez
One of the world’s leading tenors, Juan Diego Flórez, returns to Athens for the first time in 16 years. Famous for his dazzling high notes and irresistible stage presence, Flórez will perform arias from Bellini, Rossini, Verdi, and more, joined by the Athens Municipal Symphony Orchestra. A must for opera lovers.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 24 – Mare Nostrum with Jordi Savall & Harris Lambrakis
World-renowned maestro Jordi Savall joins forces with the Greek National Opera’s Intercultural Orchestra for a unique musical journey across the Mediterranean. Blending early music with new sounds, this concert highlights the sea as a force that unites cultures and people. Expect a deeply moving evening that celebrates dialogue through music.
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 26–27 – Classic Rock 9 with Septicflesh & Athens State Orchestra
Symphonic power meets rock energy! The Athens State Orchestra teams up once again with Greek metal icons Septicflesh for a breathtaking show under the Acropolis. Featuring guest vocalists, duduk, and choirs, this concert fuses classical grandeur with electrifying metal. Saturday is already sold out — so grab your ticket for September 26 fast!
For more info and tickets please go here.
September 28 – Beautiful City: 100 Years of Mikis Theodorakis
The moving musical-theatrical production Beautiful City returns for one final performance. Starring Maria Farantouri, Manolis Mitsias, and a cast of acclaimed performers, this show is both a celebration and a farewell tribute to Theodorakis’ timeless work. A powerful night where myth, music, and poetry meet.
For more info and tickets please go here.
Farantouri and Mikis Theodorakis (1972).
Credit: Bert Verhoeff for Anefo via Wikimedia Commons.
September 29 – Antonis Remos with Special Guest Jack Savoretti
Greek superstar Antonis Remos takes the stage for a night in support of “ELPIDA – Friends of Children with Cancer.” With hits spanning his 30-year career, Remos will also be joined by British-Italian singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti for a rare musical encounter full of heart. Tickets are already sold out.
September 30 – “Greek Theatre Sings… at the Odeon”
Step back through a century of Greek theatrical music in this enchanting performance. From the early 20th century hits popularized by stars like Marika Kotopouli to iconic songs from the 1960s–1980s, the show celebrates the masterpieces of Greek composers including Theofrastos Sakellaridis, Attik, Mikis Theodorakis, Stavros Xarhakos, and more.
Directed and narrated by Makis Delaportas, the performance features a full orchestra led by Giorgos Pagiatis, choreography by Thodoris Panas, and performances by beloved actors and singers, bringing these theatrical gems vividly to life under the Acropolis.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 1 – “Vassilis Tsitsanis Forever”
On the 110th anniversary of his birth, this special night celebrates the life and music of legendary composer and bouzouki master Vassilis Tsitsanis. Blending narration and performance, the evening promises to bring his era and his unforgettable songs to life once more.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 4 – Tribute to Arleta
Five beloved Greek singers — Tania Tsanaklidou, Giota Negka, Andriana Babali, Nefeli Fasouli, and Giorgis Christodoulou — unite their voices to honor Arleta, one of the most distinctive voices of Greek song. An evening of tenderness, poetry, and timeless music.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 5 – “In Galatas, a Light Rain” – Tribute to Chronis Aidonidis
A heartfelt tribute to Chronis Aidonidis, the iconic voice of Thrace and Asia Minor traditions. Featuring Glykeria, Eleni Vitali, Pantelis Thalassinos, and more, this concert honors his legacy with music that bridges Constantinople, Smyrna, and Byzantine chant.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 6 – Erotokritos in the Labyrinth
The Labyrinth Musical Workshop, founded by Ross Daly, reimagines Kornaros’ classic Erotokritos with narration, original music, and intercultural sounds. A poetic, immersive performance that brings Crete’s most beloved Renaissance work to life in a new way.
For more info and tickets please go here.
Ross Daly.
October 8 – Murmuration by Sadeck Berrabah
A global phenomenon comes to Athens! French choreographer Sadeck Berrabah (aka Sadeck Waff) presents Murmuration, a hypnotic dance piece inspired by the movements of bird flocks. With 50 dancers in perfect synchronicity, this show is a breathtaking mix of geometry, emotion, and visual poetry.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 9 – Tribute to Akis Panou
For the first time, a major concert celebrates Akis Panou, one of the most authentic voices of Greek laïkó. Manolis Mitsias, Socratis Malamas, Ioulia Karapataki, and Aspasia Stratigou bring his unforgettable songs — from “Η ζωή μου όλη” to “Το θολωμένο μου μυαλό” — back to life in a night of raw emotion.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 11 – Thanassis Vassilopoulos & Friends: Under the Acropolis
Clarinet virtuoso Thanassis Vassilopoulos invites friends and special guest Omar Faruk Tekbilek for a magical night of world music. From Greek tradition to Sufi sounds and flamenco, this concert blends East and West into one unforgettable evening beneath the Acropolis.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 13 – Stamatis Spanoudakis
After a sold-out concert on October 10, Stamatis Spanoudakis returns for one last Herodion concert before the venue’s closure. His music, balancing classical depth and contemporary emotion, creates an atmosphere of mystery and transcendence — a fitting farewell to the season.
For more info and tickets please go here.
October 15 – The Original Wiener Johann Strauss Capelle
Step into the glittering world of Imperial Vienna under the shadow of the Acropolis! The legendary Wiener Johann Strauss Capelle, founded by the Strauss family itself, brings the magic of Viennese waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas to life at the Herodion.
More than 60 musicians, soloists, dancers, sopranos, and tenors from the Vienna Opera will transform the night into a dazzling spectacle. Expect to hear Strauss’ most beloved works — including The Blue Danube — performed in authentic style, complete with the orchestra’s iconic red tailcoats, a tradition since 1843.
This year’s concert carries special significance, marking the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II, the “Waltz King.” A truly majestic evening that celebrates one of music’s greatest legacies in one of the world’s most iconic venues.
For more info and tickets please go here.
