TiACF24: Street Parties

Spread the word: The summer months are no longer the main act in Athens. May is.

This is Athens - City Festival is back for its third edition this May with free admission*. The biggest annual spring festival in the Greek capital will take place throughout May and will even be stealing a few days from June. You see, this year's programme proved to be so packed, we couldn't possibly squeeze it into just 31 days. Thoroughly designed with a sustainable mindset, the festival’s rich agenda includes more than 250 events that will take place all over Athens in more diverse areas than ever before. Click here for our selection of the festival’s events, or head over to the official website for the full programme.

“Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat
May is here and the time is right
For dancing in the street.”

We're slightly paraphrasing Martha & The Vandellas' 1965 classic here, but we couldn't think of a more fitting introduction to what TiACF24 has in store for party-goers this May. No less than 17 street parties have been announced for the third edition of the festival, taking place in literally every part of the city: from squares, arcades and parks to the city's main shopping strip, Lycabettus Hill and, of course, the Varvakios, there's bound to be a dancefloor near you if you're in town this May. Here's what's happening and when:

Gyzi Street Party, 09/05, 5 - 11 pm: Techno focused party by Reverb Sessions, brainchild of George Apergis (EMEX), one of the forefathers of contemporary electronic music in Greece.
Klafthmonos Square, 10/05, 4 - 10 pm: The extravagant Yucatan crew, known for their gigs that combine music, art, and fashion, take over the city’s biggest park.
Procession from Monastiraki to Varvakios Market, 11/05, 8 pm: Santa Fanfara, the marching band with the cult following, invites all fans of Balkan music to join the parade on two separate occasions this month. On the 11th their arrival at the Central Food Market will kick off the Varvakios party.
Kypseli Municipal Market, 11/05, 5.30 - 11 pm: Eat, drink, dance and shop at the beloved Kypseli cultural hub, courtesy of event crew &beyond. Oh, and bring the kids. Surprises await.
Koumoundourou Square 12/05, 5 - 11 pm: Street Outdoors, the heavyweight of the local street party scene, will take over one of the most under-appreciated squares in the city.
Drakopoulou Park, 17/05, 6 - 11 pm: Reverb Sessions lands at yet another unexpected location, the lovely Drakopoulou Park on Patission Avenue.
Santaroza Square, 18/05, 4 - 11 pm: Inspired by the legendary Greek TV music show of the same name, Mousikorama (Music Vision) is &beyond’s latest mini-festival featuring the hottest names in contemporary Greek pop music.
Elpidas Square, 19/05, 7.30 pm: Join Athenians in the charming Petralona square for a carefree evening with a scent of old times. Local businesses will provide the food and eclectic DJs will spin records ranging from Brazilian grooves to romantic French chansons and yacht rock.
Santaroza Square, 19/05, 1 - 11 pm: "Imagination or Death" read last year the fiery red neon sign at Needless's Santaroza party. One of the city's most versatile party crews returns for an encore.
Attiki Square, 24/05, 8 pm: Reverb Sessions lands in the unlikeliest of locations at this year's festival. Balkan brass band Santa Fanfara will open the event.
Bey Park, 25/05, 5.30 - 11 pm: Known for their imaginative events, Alternative Brains Rule (ABR) brings Cyprus' most famous festival, Afrobanana, to the booming Neos Kosmos neighbourhood.
Nikiou Pedestrian Street, 26/05, 7 - 11 pm: Shedia, the NPO behind the popular Greek street magazine, is throwing a party for a good cause (as they always do) in the heart of Athens, right in front of their restaurant Shedia Home.
Victoria Square, 31/05, 5.30 pm: Set on leading the crowds towards undiscovered locations in Athens, Reverb Sessions lands in one of the city’s most beautiful squares for a techno fiesta open to all types and genres.
Lycabettus Parking Area, 02/06, 6 - 11 pm: The biggest party crews in town join forces for the first time in this must-attend Athens All Stars Party.

* Most events are free entrance and require no tickets, to the exception of some concerts that have a priced ticket, and some events that are free entrance but require pre-registration or are invitation-only. All related information to each of the festival's events can be found on the festival's website, under the page for each event.