Carnival & Clean  Monday

1 - 4 February

Clean Monday or Kathara Deftera celebrates in the run up to Orthodox Lent and closes includes the traditional serving of Lenten dishes, the flying of kites, dancing and singing. The carnival lays on a party that often includes Argentine tango dancing, Greek music concerts, costume contests, and a set of entertainments for children.

Athens Carnival

17 February - 10 March

Traditional customs, music, and more go on proud display during these months, as the whole of Greece celebrates its heritage in festivals, parades and hundreds of events across the country.

Dora Stratou Traditional Greek Dance Festival

1 May - 30 September

The event evokes the energy, warmth and creativity of the Greek people in a unique and unforgettable visual and aural experience. It is mainly about drawing on the rich folkloric tradition of rural Greece, the highly respected Dora Stratou Theatre Company perform their repertoire of more than 200 dance sequences in sumptuous costume, to the accompaniment of authentic Greek music.

International Petra Festival

June - September

A respectable variety of cultural events takes place in various venues around the city in this popular alternative to the Athens Festival.

Athens Festival

1 June - 31 August

THE biggest cultural event in the city bar none, visitors and locals are completely spoilt by the mind-boggling range of events, performances, exhibitions, and more, all crammed into one of the most spectacular settings in the world, the Herodeion.

Music Day

1 - 30 June

In true exuberant Greek fashion, Athen's edition of the European festival Fete de la Musique is not limited to one, but stretched over three whole, entertainment filled days.

Rockwave Festival

1 June - 31 July

Considered the biggest rock festival in Greece, this event takes place over two separate weekends and draws top entertainers and participants from around the world.

Ochi Day Parade

28 October

Ochi meas No – the anniversary of General Ioannis Metaxas' flat denial to the Italians' request for free passage to invade Greece. The event is marked with extravagant military parades involving soldiers, students and tanks along the main boulevards in Athens and other Greek cities.

Athens Marathon

1 - 30 November

Descendent of the original marathon, this is the biggest sporting event in the city, and predictably draws thousands of participants and spectators.