Contrary to popular belief, Greeks like to plan ahead. Especially when it comes to having fun, an art we are masters of—which is why we've already got our May plans sorted. Spring-time in Athens means that festival season is on its way and will be lasting well into late summer. And for the past 70 years, summer belongs to the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
The leading performing arts festival in Greece, and one of the oldest ones in Europe, recently unveiled its rich 2024 programme, which opens on June 1 and runs until August 24. Over the course of 85 days, the Athens Epidaurus Festival (AEF) will present 93 productions at landmark venues in Athens and at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. During these three months, more than 2,500 artists and performers from all over the world will draw on the rare spirit of our city and channel it onto the festival's diverse stages; from the breathtaking Odeon of Herodes Atticus, to the industrial complex of Pireos 260, the Athens Conservatoire, the National Library of Greece, the Hellenic Cosmos, as well as some fascinating and unexpected venues such as the Sotiria Hospital and the Keratsini Seafood Market.
What follows is a monthly breakdown of the festival's much-anticipated highlights, as well as those buzzworthy underdogs. Sting, Anohni and the Johnsons and Loreena McKennit at the Herodion, might need little hype. But look out for the AEF's GRAPE section in July, for the crème de la crème of Greek creativity in performing arts. As for the ancient greats such as Aeschylus, Aristophanes and Euripides, their unsurpassed works still grace our stages in both classic and modern-day takes. Have a great AEF2024!
Courtesy: Athens Epidaurus Festival
June
June marks the start of the festival with the grand opening at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. For the past 20 years, the festival's contemporary branch has found its home in the industrial landscape of Pireos 260. Show nights at Pireos don't end when the curtain falls; Live at the Platea is a popular series of post-performance parties held in the space's courtyard, where artists mingle with the city's aesthetes to the sounds of live music concerts and DJ sets.
July
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus awakens to host the first shows of the season. Meanwhile, Athens is no less exciting, with big hitters such as Sting performing at the Odeon and the festival's exciting GRAPE initiative in full swing.
August
The Athens leg comes to a close at the end of July, as locals schedule their trips to Epidaurus for an audience with one of the great Greek tragedians.
Courtesy: Evi Fylaktou/Shutterstock
As usual, August's AEF events take place at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus. Apart from the July shows we have recommended you don't miss, which will also be running during August, you'll also be able to see more of the major ancient Greek tragedies, such as Plutus (Aristophanes) by Giannis Kakleas, Not Hecuba (based on the play by Euripides) by the Comédie-Française and Tiago Rodrigues, Bacchae (Euripides) by Thanos Papakonstantinou, Birds (Aristophanes) by Aris Biniaris and The Suppliants (Aeschylus) by the Greek Art Theatre Karolos Koun, Neos Kosmos Theatre and Marianna Kalbari. Also, from the beginning of July to the end of August, the exhibition Hippolytus - Phaedra will be held. During performances at the Argolic theatre, visitors can explore the exhibition, which depicts the iconic hero and heroine as they were known during the 70-year run of the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. If you are taking a day trip to Epidaurus with the little ones, the Little Trackers creative workshop is a great opportunity to introduce them to the wonderful and mysterious world of ancient myths. Book Here