This is Athens -City Festival Returns for a Second Week – Celebrating Culture Across the City’s Neighborhoods

With vibrant colours, music, performances, and the enthusiastic participation of thousands of residents and visitors, the This is Athens City Festival—delivered by Develop Athens—got underway on 1 May. Running until 1 June, the festival is turning the city into a dynamic stage for culture and entertainment.

Now in its second week, the celebration continues with a rich and varied programme, featuring live music, street parties, dance, theatre, open-air cinema, educational activities, and events for all the family. From central landmarks to the city’s most far-flung neighbourhoods, parks, squares, pedestrian zones, and historic locations are becoming vibrant meeting points for the whole community.

Highlights from the Program: May 7–11

• Lycabettus Sunset Live: Nefeli Fasouli
  Wednesday, May 7 | 20:30–22:30 | Lycabettus Hill
  The beloved singer returns to the festival, with a unique live performance at the idyllic “balcony” of St. George on Lycabettus Hill.
• Fitness Sessions
  Wednesday, May 7 | 18:30–20:30 | Eleftherias Park
  Health and wellness classes in the lush setting of the park, with yoga, pilates, and aerobics led by professional trainers.
• Menta Live with Babis Stokas
  Wednesday, May 7 | 21:00–23:00 | Eleftherias Park
  Bring a blanket, lie on the grass, and sing under the stars with a springtime concert featuring hits from Babis Stokas’ solo career and his days with Pyx Lax.
• 1st Athens International Youth Theatre Festival “City–Citizen–Culture”
  Thursday, May 8 & Friday, May 9 | 10:00–14:00 | Plato’s Academy Park
  A powerful initiative engaging over 250 students from across Greece and Italy. Using ancient drama as an educational tool, young performers reflect on modern-day challenges to democracy, citizenship, and society.
• Midnight Express: Mad Max
  Thursday, May 8 | 19:30–23:00 | National Observatory of Athens
  Open-air cinema under the stars with the legendary Mad Max, hosted in the enchanting garden of the Observatory. (Reservations required)
• Protogenous Spring City
  Friday–Sunday, May 9–11 | Psyrri District
  Concerts, DJs, street food, markets, and surprises turn this narrow downtown street into a must-visit hub of cultural expression and urban nightlife.
• Karagiozis the Environmentalist
  Saturday–Sunday, May 10–11 | Museum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments
  11:00–12:00
  A new eco-themed shadow puppet comedy for all ages, where Karagiozis confronts a mysterious threat hidden in a city tree. (Reservations required)

• Street Outdoors
  Saturday, May 10 | 17:30–23:00 | Eleftherias Park
  One of Athens' most iconic street party crews brings the city's dance music scene to the park for a relaxed outdoor celebration.
• Fun Vibes Family Festival
  Sunday, May 11 | 11:00–20:00 | Rizari Park
  A full-day celebration for families and children, offering sports, educational activities, and bonding experiences in a beautiful green space.
• FΚlub Block Party
  Sunday, May 11 | 18:00–23:00 | Avyssinias Square
  Greece’s first digital club, born during the pandemic to support electronic dance music, hits the streets with its first in-person block party featuring top DJs like Tropical and Second Story.

• Apprenticeship Walk: 20 and 1 Stops
  Sunday–Monday, May 11–12 (& 18–19) | 18:00–19:30 | National Garden
  A poetic walking performance by Theodoros Gonis, featuring actors Eleni Ouzounidou and Thanasis Dimou. Audiences are guided through the garden with stories of poets, politicians, and Queen Amalia, who envisioned this very space. (Meet at the sundial, Amalias Avenue entrance – comfortable clothing recommended)
• Athens Cocktails
  Sunday, May 11 | 18:00–23:00 | Japanese Garden, Nireidon Park
  A relaxing evening with crafted cocktails and top dance music, set in one of the city’s most serene spring spots.

Full festival program until June 1 available at: https://cityfestival.thisisathens.org/en/ 

These events are part of the project “Actions for the Promotion and Enhancement of Tourism in the City of Athens”, implemented under Sub-Project 1 of the “Attica 2021–2027” Program and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.