What not to miss in Athens on 2019

Whenever you choose to visit Athens, there’s guaranteed to be an eclectic programme of events running, from international musicians and leading artists to local dance groups and fringe festivals.

So, we gathered some of the events that you should’t miss whilst in Athens on 2019

This year, the Greek National Opera is kicking off a diverse season of productions with Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra (January) and Donizetti’s dramatic Lucia di Lammermore (February & March). Spring will see stagings of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, a perennial favourite for young and old, followed by the more serious tone of Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk (May). The summer season brings distinguished Italian soprano Carmen Giannattasio to the title role of Norma, staged within the framework of the Athens Festival, as well as Verdi’s La Traviata which will be presented for the first time at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Meanwhile, classical music aficionados ought not miss a unique concert at Megaron Athens Concert Hall by the grand dame of the piano, Elisabeth Leonskaja on the 27th March.

The Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s Summer Nostos Festival returns once again, inviting Athenians and visitors to a week of world-class performances and events with free admission for all. Highlights include concerts by Sō Percussion, a collaborative percussion quartet from New York, British-Swedish 90s icon Neneh Cherry and American singer-songwriter Rita Wilson, whilst a star-studded programme of Greek music showcases the work of Yorgos Margaritis, the Michalis Kalkanis Group and YALLA 2.0.

The programme of the Athens Epidaurus Festival 2019 has recently been announced, and promises a summer of sensational performances including a staging of Oedipus by renowned theatre director Robert Wilson, alongside productions of Aeschylus’ Oresteia, Euripides’ Iphigenia in Aulis and Aristophanes’ The Clouds.

For rock music lovers, the Release Athens Festival will return for its fourth year on the Faliro seafront, with global superstar Iggy Pop headlining on the 8th June. Similarly, the 15th Ejekt Festival will return to Plateia Nerou for another summer of alternative and electronic music, with British rock band The Cure headlining on the 17th July. Later in September, Italian star Eros Ramazzotti will come to Athens as part of his 2019 world tour “Vita Ce N’è”, performing to a sell-out crowd at the Tae Kwon Do Stadium in Faliro.

Enjoy the best events in Athens from your base at Life Gallery athens, perfectly situated in the peaceful northern suburbs and just 30 minutes from Athens International Airport.