TiACF25: Live Music Concerts

This is Athens City Festival returns this May — bigger, bolder, and bursting into more neighbourhoods than ever before. From 1 May to 1 June, over 200 free events will take over parks, squares, rooftops and hidden corners across the capital, inviting locals and visitors alike to explore a different side of the city. Scroll down for a curated selection of this year’s events — or head to the official festival site to see the full programme.

From rooftops to ruins, courtyards to museum gardens — This is Athens City Festival brings together the voices, instruments and moods of May. This year’s music programme spans genre and generation: expect sun-drenched jazz, soulful rebetika, modern classical, electro-acoustic experiments and golden-hour gigs that turn the city into a stage. Below, a selection of this year’s standout concerts:

02/05: Skiadareses Live, Koumoundourou Square: The genre-blurring sister duo bring their soulful, straight-talking songwriting to the streets — blending sharp lyrics with pop-folk charm in a live show that speaks to all generations.

05/05: Andreas Polyzogopoulos Live, Museum of Modern Greek Culture: The internationally acclaimed trumpet player returns with award-winning composer Alexandros Miaris for the world premiere of a collaborative new work.

07/05: Lycabettus Sunset Live: Nefeli Fasouli, St. George’s Courtyard Lycabettus Hill: A voice that defines the new wave of Greek music meets one of the most cinematic backdrops in Athens, in a performance full of elegance, emotion and surprise.

12/05: Lycabettus Sunset Live: Petros Klampanis, St. George’s Courtyard Lycabettus Hill: Rooftop Stories comes to life in Athens as the acclaimed double bassist presents his intimate solo project — a blend of loops, percussion and voice with a view.

14/05: Leonard Cohen Tribute, Athens Book Space: Nalyssa Green, Sugahspank! and Lou Is revisit the timeless songs of Leonard Cohen in a powerful, poetic concert that returns to this beloved venue seven years after its debut.

16/05: Antonia Kauri Live, The City of Athens Gallery: Mysterious and genre-bending, this rising artist brings her electronic-tinged vocals to the heart of Metaxourgio, following standout performances from The Voice to Coldplay's stage.

17/05: De Profundis Live: VBH, Epigraphic Museum: Classical music meets ancient stone in this emotive concert by the De Profundis Ensemble, set in the museum’s serene courtyard. Reservation required.

20/05: Dobrawa Czocher, Roman Agora: A rare appearance in Greece by the internationally celebrated Polish cellist, known for her work with Hania Rani and her captivating blend of classical and contemporary music.

21/05: Lycabettus Sunset Live: Cayetano, St. George’s Courtyard Lycabettus Hill: A defining figure of the local electro scene takes the stage with his band for a cinematic sunset concert, steeped in rhythm and atmosphere.

22/05: Mavroidi – Frintzila Live, Mitropoleos Square: A rich, polyphonic journey across Mediterranean traditions unfolds in the heart of Athens, with Martha Frintzila and the Yasemi Quartet.

24/05: De Profundis Live: HANDEL Meets CORELLI, Catholic Cathedral of Saint Dionysius the Areopagite: The ensemble returns for a second performance — this time in a rare venue that opens its doors for a night of spiritual resonance and classical beauty.

* Most events are free entrance and require no tickets, to the exception of some that have a priced ticket, or 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.