Acclaimed Greek singer Ioulia Karapataki has been announced as a headline performer for the 2026 Antipodes Festival in Melbourne, one of the largest and most significant celebrations of Greek culture outside Greece.
Renowned for her high-energy festival performances and distinctive velvety voice, Karapataki will bring her dynamic stage presence to Melbourne as part of the Antipodes Festival, the marquee event of the Greek Community of Melbourne’s annual cultural program. Held in the city’s historic Greek Quarter, the major outdoor street festival transforms the precinct into a vibrant cultural carnival, featuring more than 500 performers across three stages, over 100 pop-up market stalls, street entertainment and extended precinct trading, all enjoyed by in excess of 150,000 patrons across the two-day event.
Karapataki will perform live on the Bank of Sydney Main Stage on Saturday, 28 February 2026, as part of a weekend celebrating Greek culture, music, food, language and community in the heart of Melbourne.
Her broad musical repertoire blends contemporary Greek sounds with strong folk influences, earning her a loyal following both in Greece and internationally. Her profile was most recently elevated by the electrifying rendition of “To Glenti” (Το Γλέντι), which dominated Greek summer airwaves and gained widespread traction across social media platforms.
Director of the Antipodes Festival, Jorge Menidis, said Karapataki is a natural fit for the festival’s expansive 2026 program.
“Ioulia Karapataki has been a much sought-after artist, and we are thrilled to welcome her to Antipodes. Her energy is infectious and her connection with audiences is immediate. She is a perfect headliner for our 75-plus-hour program, and we’re excited to bring her spirit to Melbourne.”
With her growing international profile, commanding stage presence and unmistakable charisma, Karapataki’s Melbourne appearance is expected to be one of the standout highlights of the 2026 Antipodes Festival, reinforcing the event’s reputation as a flagship celebration of Hellenic culture within Australia’s multicultural landscape.
Event details
Antipodes Festival
Bank of Sydney Main Stage
Saturday, 28 February 2026
For more information, visit:
www.antipodesfestival.com.au
