source: The 2026 summer festival season is here: Music, theatre, dance and cinema at 15 venues – TO VIMA
the Greek summer is defined not only by its beaches and islands, but also by a packed calendar of cultural events stretching from the north Euboea until Kastellorizo and from the Kalamata until Andros and Lake Amvrakia.
These are the most important events of the coming weeks, standing out for their programme, premieres and the unique experiences they offer.
Helmos Mountain Festival (19–22 June)
The Helmos Mountain Festival returns from 19 to 22 June, transforming the Kalavryta Ski Centre into one of the country’s most unique summer destinations. Set against the backdrop of the peaks of Mount Chelmos, the festival combines live music, nature and outdoor activities, offering an experience that goes beyond the confines of a concert. Highlights of this year’s line-up include performances by Yiannis Haroulis, Alkinoos Ioannidis, Pavlos Pavlidis, Pyx Lax, Ioulia Karapataki and Miltos Paschalidis, whilst the electronic sounds of Korolova, Klangphonics and Valeron set the tone for the evening sessions.
A highlight is the new performance at Stygia, at an altitude of 2,340 metres, where Yiannis Angelakas and Nikos Veliotis present *The Wolves*. Hikes, canoeing, e-bike tours and activities in the UNESCO Chelmos–Vouraikos Global Geopark round off a four-day event where, quite rightly, the real headliner is the mountain itself.
5ο Evia Film Project (23–27 June)
«Friday the 13th»
The Thessaloniki Film Festival’s green initiative returns to Northern Euboea with free screenings, VR experiences, open discussions and workshops for children and teenagers. With the forest and the relationship between humans and nature as its central theme, the programme includes classic films such as *The Queen of Africa*, *Pan’s Labyrinth*, «Jurassic Park», «Rambo: First Blood» and «Friday the 13th», as well as significant Greek productions such as «Digger» and «A Flock of Sheep». At the same time, filmmakers, producers and critics are discussing the future of Greek and international cinema.
Philippi Festival (8 July – 6 September)
Partition Walls, Eva Oikonomou Vamvaka
Few festivals in Greece can claim the same longevity as the Philippi Festival. Now in its 69th edition, running from 8 July to 6 September, this Kavala institution continues to centre its programme around the iconic Ancient Theatre of Philippi, whilst simultaneously extending its reach throughout the city via performances specially designed for a variety of venues.
With «Metamorphosis» as its central theme, this year’s programme seeks to explore the power of art to transform faces, places and people. Five original productions by the Kavala Municipal and Regional Theatre, collaborations with leading cultural organisations, and events ranging from theatre and opera to music, visual art installations and shadow theatre, make up one of the summer’s most ambitious programmes. At the same time, the Ancient Drama Workshop is celebrating its tenth anniversary, keeping the festival’s educational and research focus alive.
Plastiras Lake Festival (9–12 July)
The Plastiras Lake Festival has become one of the most distinctive summer music events in the Greek provinces, combining the natural beauty of Lake Plastiras with a diverse programme of concerts and events. From 9 to 12 July, the Neochori Botanical Garden will host artists such as Thievery Corporation, Yiannis Haroulis, Pyx Lax, Pavlos Pavlidis, Paidi Trauma, Marina Spanou and Dani Gambino.
The new «Secret Day» features prominently in this year’s programme, with a screening of the documentary «Per-lipsis – Songs in the Embrace of Nature», in the presence of Thanasis Papakonstantinou, and a a major concert by Dimitris Mystakidis.
Sani Festival (11 July – 15 August)
Robert Plant with Saving Grace and Suzie Dian
Among the festivals that have managed to make a name for themselves on the international music scene, the Sani Festival holds a special place. Set on Sani Hill, overlooking the Aegean Sea and against the backdrop of the natural landscape of Chalkidiki, this year’s event, from 11 July to 15 August, reaffirms its international character by hosting artists who have left a lasting mark on global music history.
The curtain rises on the legendary Robert Plant, the voice synonymous with Led Zeppelin, followed by multi-platinum artist James Arthur, the iconic Waterboys and the pioneers of British soul, Soul II Soul. Greece is represented by Dimitra Galani and Eleni Tsaligopoulou, alongside the Nea Ionia Volos Estudiantina, whilst the festival concludes with a rare appearance by Vicky Leandros, an artist who has made her name through one of the most successful international careers in the history of Greek music.
32nd Kalamata International Dance Festival (17–26 July)
Do Birds Dream of Flying by Fabla Collective (c) Drago Videmsek
Under the direction of Jenny Argyriou, this year’s festival explores the «magic» of dance and its power to create new ways of co-existing. The programme features leading names from the international scene, such as Yoann Bourgeois, Marlene Monteiro Freitas, Jefta van Dinther, Leïla Ka and Kalle Nio, whilst placing particular emphasis on Greek artists. At the same time, the «Dance in the City» events, the ‘Dancing on Screen’ screenings, exhibitions and participatory activities continue in Kalamata and other towns across the Peloponnese.
Dance Days Chania ((20 July – 2 August)
Malta Mortal Heroes© Camille Fenech
If there is one festival that proves that contemporary dance can transcend the confines of the theatre stage and engage with the everyday life of a city, it is Dance Days Chania. Now in its 16th year, running from 20 July to 2 August, it transforms Chania into an open-air movement workshop, hosting performances, workshops, screenings and activities in public spaces.
This year’s programme focuses on the forms of resilience and mental strength that people develop in the face of the challenges of the modern world. Artists from across Europe are presenting works that address issues such as violence, migration, loss, vulnerability, identity and collective coexistence, whilst at the same time seeking new ways of connecting art with society.
A distinctive feature of the festival is its constant presence in public spaces. Performances in neighbourhoods and squares, site-specific works by emerging artists, walking tours and participatory performances.
SYSTEMA – For the Greek Performing Arts (20–26 July (Athens – Epidaurus – Kalamata)
Alkestis | Credit: Gelly Kalabaka
SYSTEMA takes place from 20 to 26 July 2026 as a packed seven-day programme, offering arts professionals from around the world, artists and the general public, to attend 19 theatre and dance performances, both large and small-scale, at historic venues in Athens (the Ziller Building, the Piraeus 260 industrial complex), Epidaurus (the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus & the Small Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus) and Kalamata (Kalamata Dance Centre), as well as at vibrant arts venues in the capital. At the same time, the programme will include networking events, project presentations (pitching sessions) and curated meetings, fostering a fertile ground for dialogue and exchange between artists and industry professionals.
Anavra Fest (24–26 July)
Anavra Fest is making its debut this year, from 24 to 26 July, at the enchanting Anavra Springs Environmental Park, combining music and nature in a three-day summer event in the heart of Thessaly. The diverse line-up brings together a range of musical genres, from art music and Greek rock to hip hop and traditional music.
Among the headliners, Pyx Lax, Eisvoleas and Anser x Eversor stand out, whilst also featuring the Shade-Givers, Mariana Katsimicha, Vasiliki Michalopoulou, Laska and Roubayaat. Set against the backdrop of the springs and the lush green landscape of Anavra, the festival aims to offer an experience that combines live music with an escape into nature, establishing itself as a new cultural institution in the Greek provinces.
12th Andros International Festival (25 July – 24 August)
Eirini Zouganeli
Pantelis Voulgaris continues to put together one of the country’s most cohesive summer festival line-ups.
The 12th Andros International Festival begins on Saturday 25 July with the concert «That’s What Love Is» by Aleka Kanellidou, featuring Eleonora Zouganeli and Katerina Polemi, and concludes on Monday 24 August with Euripides« »Medea’, directed by Nikita Milivojević.
A special place in this year’s programme is reserved for the screening – a national premiere – of the documentary «Lefteris Vogiatzis’s Andros», directed by Ilias Giannakakis, a production by the Andros Festival itself. At the same time, in collaboration with the Poreia Theatre, the premiere of the play «Happy Days» by S. Beckett, directed by Dimitris Tarloou, will take place on Andros.
It is particularly important to hold events in venues other than the Open-Air Theatre, as one of the Festival’s aims is to showcase the island’s landmarks. For the first time, a classical music concert will be held in the courtyard of the Byzantine Church of Taxiarchis in Messaria, conducted by Ioakeim Baltsavias.
The programme also includes an open-air production of Aristophanes« *Peace*, directed by Nikos Karathanos, the show »Sexy Laundry“ starring Spyros Papadopoulos and Renia Louizidou, as well as notable musical acts such as Dimitris Bassis, Maria Papageorgiou and Martha Frintzila.
Young audiences will have the chance to enjoy the show «Mr Vromylos», as well as the concert «If You Listen to the Children» featuring Lefteris Eleftheriou and Alkiviadis Konstantopoulos.
Amvrakia Music Festival 3.0 (31 July – 2 August)
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On the shores of Lake Amvrakia, this festival, born amidst nature, is developing into one of the region’s most exciting new music events. This year’s line-up includes Pyx Lax, Ioulia Karapataki, Hatzifrageta, Miltos Paschalidis, Natassa Bofiliou, Taf Lathos and Logos Timis. At the same time, the public can take part in dozens of activities, ranging from yoga and hiking to painting, robotics and cookery workshops, turning the three-day event into a complete holiday and music experience.
Aegina Music Festival (3–22 August)
DuoMinerva (NancyHorowitz) – Copy
Now in its 20th year, the festival returns from 3 to 22 August with a programme that strikes a balance between classical music, opera and musicals.
The festival opens on 3 August with arias and duets from the operatic repertoire, featuring soprano Eleni Calenos and baritone Tasos Apostolou, followed by concerts featuring guitarist Dimitris Soukaras and soprano Aphrodite Patoulidou (5 August), the internationally renowned pianist and artistic director of the Festival, Dora Bakopoulou, in collaboration with her friends and colleagues (7 August), as well as a tribute to the art of the piano featuring two distinguished performers, Manos Kitsikopoulos and Filivos Gatzios (9 August).
Among the festival’s outstanding evenings is the chamber music concert featuring the internationally acclaimed Lily Maisky, Alisa and Natalia Margulis and Lyda Argerich, who will be performing alongside Odysseas Tsakalidis, a prize-winner at the «We Listen to the Young 2025», co-organised with the Thessaloniki State Orchestra (18 August). The finale, as is customary, will take place by the sea with a tribute to Manos Hadjidakis by Alkinoos Ioannidis, Elli Paspala and Dora Bakopoulou on the piano. (22 August).
Kalami Festival (5 August)
Billie Kark
The Kalami Festival returns on 5 August to the enchanting beach of Mikri Vigla on Naxos, offering one of the most atmospheric musical experiences of the summer. Set amongst the reed beds, with the Aegean Sea as a backdrop and beneath the starry Cycladic sky, this one-day festival combines music with the laid-back island holiday vibe.
This year’s all-female line-up brings to the stage Skiadareses, aggelina and Billie Kark, three artists whose styles range from indie and alternative to electronic music and traditional sounds. With a focus on the sea, music and the collective experience, the Kalami Festival is a small but unique summer celebration that perfectly captures the spirit of the Cyclades.
Anilio Park Festival (7–9 August)
In the heart of the Pindus Mountains, the Anilio Park Festival has, in recent years, become one of the most dynamic fixtures of the Greek summer festival season. From 7 to 9 August, the Anilio Ski Centre in Metsovo is hosting a packed musical programme featuring Vasilis Papakonstantinou, Yiannis Haroulis, Pavlos Pavlidis, the Hainides, Ioulia Karapataki, Marina Spanou, Panos Vlachos and Eisvoleas, whilst a wide-ranging programme of outdoor activities transforms the festival into a complete mountain experience for all ages.
11th Beyond Borders (24–31 August)
Beyond Borders: Castellorizo International Documentary Festival
The international documentary festival that has transformed the remote island of Kastellorizo into a meeting place for filmmakers from all over the world returns with the question: «What remains when you strip away the obvious?». Featuring world, international and Greek premieres, special programmes, educational activities and discussions on history, society and geopolitics, Beyond Borders continues to be one of the most important cultural events in the Mediterranean. The full festival programme will be announced on 22 June.