Whether you’re visiting Athens or living in the city, summer transforms the Greek capital into a vibrant cultural hub. With its cooler evening temperatures, the city invites locals and tourists alike to enjoy open-air performances across a range of venues—from public gardens and local squares to historic theaters and contemporary stages. From grassroots shows to headline events featuring internationally acclaimed artists, there’s something for every cultural appetite.
At the heart of the season is the Athens Epidaurus Festival, Greece’s premier cultural institution, celebrating its 70th anniversary this summer. Performances unfold across iconic venues including the Odeon of Herodes Atticus beneath the Acropolis, the UNESCO-listed Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, and the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus in the Peloponnese—about two hours from Athens. The festival also extends to Peiraios 260, an urban venue near the Athens School of Fine Arts, which hosts contemporary productions.
In this week’s edition of TO BHMA International, we round up the highlights:
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
Max Richter – July 1
Acclaimed German-British composer Max Richter brings his atmospheric blend of classical and electronic music to the Odeon, accompanied by a string quintet and narrator. The program includes selections from The Blue Notebooks (2004)—hailed by The Guardian as one of the best classical works of the 21st century—and music from his new album In a Landscape. The performance interweaves protest, memory, and poetry, with spoken word excerpts by Kafka and Czesław Miłosz, read by Tilda Swinton.
Sydney Dance Company – July 4
Australia’s celebrated Sydney Dance Company, accompanied by the Zaïde Quartet, presents Impermanence, choreographed by Rafael Bonachela with original music by Bryce Dessner. The work meditates on transience and the fragility of what we take for granted, blending emotional intensity with virtuosic movement.
Münchner Philharmoniker – July 6
In their Odeon debut, the Münchner Philharmoniker, conducted by Andrés Orozco-Estrada, perform Brahms’ Violin Concerto with violinist Hilary Hahn, followed by Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”. A program of powerful lyricism and grandeur under the Athenian night sky.
Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus
Electra by Sophocles – July 4 & 5
Directed by Dimitris Tarlow in his Epidaurus debut, Electra by Sophocles returns to the stage, performed by Poreia Theatre. This timeless tragedy interrogates revenge, justice, and resistance in the face of tyranny. In a world echoing with contemporary social unrest, Electra becomes a mirror of modern ethical dilemmas.
Performed in Greek with English and Greek surtitles.
Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus
Thēbae Desertae – July 4 & 5
Written by Kiriakos Haritos and directed by Olia Lazaridou, this poetic retelling of the Antigone myth blurs prose and verse, memory and dream. Accompanied by live music, the ensemble creates a sensory landscape of loss, remembrance, and resistance.
Part of the Contemporary Ancients cycle, which commissions new works inspired by ancient drama.
Peiraios 260
Objects of Common Interest – Light Installation
To mark the Festival’s 70th year, the award-winning studio Objects of Common Interest presents a captivating light installation. Designed by Elena Petaloti and Leonidas Trampoukis, the installation reimagines Building D through sculptural lighting, exploring the relationship between material and space.
The Bride and the Goodnight Cinderella – July 5 & 6
Carolina Bianchi, winner of the 2024 Silver Lion at the Venice Biennale, presents a visceral performance examining gender-based violence, inspired by the story of Pippa Bacca and the use of date-rape drugs. This acclaimed production, part of Bianchi’s Cadela Força trilogy, blends lecture and physical theatre in a haunting journey through trauma and memory.
War Correspondents – July 5–8
This powerful multimedia work examines the horror of war through real and fictional testimonies, merging theatre and music. Six figures represent voices of the past, reflecting on violence, truth, and the shaping of collective memory—urgent themes in a world still scarred by conflict.
Blindness – July 5–8
Adapted by Simon Stephens from José Saramago’s novel, and directed by Emily Louizou, Blindness is a chilling allegory of societal collapse. When a sudden epidemic of blindness spreads, one woman retains her sight and bears witness to the unraveling of humanity. A post-pandemic reflection on power, fear, and survival.
Hippolytus (in the Arms of Aphrodite) – July 5–8
An immersive augmented reality theatre experience directed by Yolanda Markopoulou. Wearing AR glasses, the audience steps into the myth of Hippolytus, who defies Aphrodite and faces divine revenge. Part of the Horizon Europe VOXReality project, this performance explores storytelling through cutting-edge XR technology.
Live at the Platea: Gadjo Dilo – July 5–8
Gypsy Jazz with a Greek Twist! Athens-based band Gadjo Dilo, formed in 2009, bring their infectious blend of swing-era jazz and reimagined Greek classics to Peiraios 260. Their unique style fuses Django Reinhardt-inspired rhythms with beloved Greek melodies—offering a high-energy musical experience that’s equal parts nostalgia and innovation.
Iliana Tsapatsari (vocals), Sergios Chryssovitsanos (violin), Sotiris Pomonis (guitar), Konstantinos Mitropoulos (guitar), and Giorgos Roulos (double bass) invite audiences to dance under the stars in a joyful celebration of cross-cultural sound.
