Events
Apokries (Carnival)
March/April
Athens’ pre-Lent carnival is a vibrant concoction of street parties, parades and costumed revellers that takes place over three weeks. Apokries translates as ‘goodbye to meat’, so as much barbecuing and gorging on meaty treats as is humanly possible goes down on Tsiknopempti, or Smoke Thursday. The city’s hills and beaches come alive with flying kites on the last day of the celebrations, Ash Monday.
World Jazz Festival
March
An eclectic blend of swing, Afro-jazz, bossa nova, cabaret, Balkan jazz and traditional brass instruments allows the customs of the Macedonian Carnival to be shaken up with New Orleans vibes, resulting in this superb jazz festival each March.
Independence Day
25 March
Traditional Greek costumes and flags adorn the city’s children, as Athens celebrates the beginning of the Greek revolution with a national and religious holiday, punctuated by school and military parades.
European Music Day
June
Technopolis in Gazi joins in the fun that pervades Athens over three days in June thanks to the annual European Music Day. Local and international artists put on free performances of anything from hip hop to classical music on stages across the city.
Athens & Epidaurus Festival
June – July
The ancient amphitheatre of Epidaurus is the focal point of this absorbing celebration of ancient Greek culture. Performances are held here in addition to other venues around Athens, such as the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus.