Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2026

The Athens and Epidaurus Festival is Greece’s oldest and most prestigious performing arts event, running continuously since 1955. Each summer from June through August, it fills two extraordinary ancient venues with theatre, opera, contemporary dance, and music from some of the world’s leading companies and artists.

The venues

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus sits on the southern slope of the Acropolis and holds around 5,000 spectators. Built by the Roman benefactor Herodes Atticus in 161 AD as a memorial to his wife, it was restored in the 1950s and has hosted Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, and Elton John over the decades. Performances here run from late May through early October, with the Acropolis lit above the stage as a permanent backdrop.

The ancient theatre of Epidaurus, roughly 150 km southwest of Athens in the Peloponnese, is considered the finest ancient Greek theatre in existence. Built in the 4th century BC and capable of seating around 14,000 people, its acoustics remain extraordinary: a coin dropped in the orchestra pit can be heard from the top row. Epidaurus hosts performances on Friday and Saturday evenings from June to August, almost always ancient Greek tragedies and comedies in modern Greek translation.

What to expect

Programming covers the full spectrum from Aeschylus and Sophocles to contemporary international productions and world-music concerts. The festival consistently draws major companies from Europe and beyond alongside top Greek ensembles. Check the official programme at greekfestival.gr, which usually goes live in February or March.

Performances at Herodes Atticus typically begin at 21:00. At Epidaurus, start time is also around 21:00 to allow the heat of the day to ease — bring a cushion, as the stone seating is hard, and a light jacket because temperatures drop after dark even in summer.

Getting there

For Athens performances, the Odeon is a short walk from Monastiraki or Akropoli metro stations. For Epidaurus, most visitors join an organised coach transfer from Athens — several operators depart from Syntagma Square on performance evenings and return after the show. Driving independently takes around two hours from central Athens. Booking a seat on a festival coach or renting a car well in advance is advisable, especially for July and August dates.

Tickets range from approximately €15 for upper seats at Herodes Atticus to €60 or more for premium Epidaurus performances. Book via the official website or at the Athens Festival box office on Panepistimiou Street — popular dates sell out weeks ahead.

If you are combining the festival with a wider trip, our 10-day Greece itinerary includes a Peloponnese leg that pairs naturally with an Epidaurus evening performance.