This is held annually at the time that is believed to be the date that Jesus was baptized. This event is held at Piraeus which is a port of Athens. The event starts with a priest flinging a crucifix into the water after which participants jump in to bring it back. The one who finds it is rewarded good luck for the coming year. Fishermen along with their boats also queue up to be blessed.
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City overview
This is held annually at the time that is believed to be the date that Jesus was baptized. This event is held at Piraeus which is a port of Athens. The event starts with a priest flinging a crucifix into the water after which participants jump in to bring it back. The one who finds it is rewarded good luck for the coming year. Fishermen along with their boats also queue up to be blessed.
This carnival lasts till the end of March. The purpose is to celebrate Athens. Whilst it is held all over the city, Central Square is a good location to catch the best of it. There is no entrance fee and the entertainment provided is excellent. It comprises mostly of street performers in traditional dress, dancing and singing giving visitors a clear idea of what Greek culture entails.
This four day festival centers on the viewing of collections by Greek and international designers. Glamorous best describes this event which is held in October as well.
This festival spans from May to September. It is an outdoor event. It features musical and theatrical performances on Lycabettus Hill which provides a breath taking view of all of Athens from it.
This festival starts in May and lasts well into September. The venue is the Dora Stratou theatre named after a woman who was a Greek dance fanatic and who spent her life trying to preserve and promote this art. The dances along with the music and the costumes are traditional, dating back to almost 3000 years ago. Traditional dance performers from all over Greece converge at this theatre.
Entrance is free of cost at this exhibition where the works on display are by lesser known artists and are also available for purchase. It features art which is bold, daring and relevant. Contemporary art is the focus here.
This festival is annual and is held through the months of June- July. This is a significant cultural event held in an outdoor theatre. Different groups of actors and performers converge on Athens from all over Greece. Shows vary from comedies to tragedies.
This festival is held annually and lasts from June well into August. It is held at the Herodeion. Classical Greek dramas are performed and greatly appreciated.
This festival like the Epidaurus Festival lasts well into August and unlike the above mentioned festival this festival has an international flavor. Concerts, performances and plays are put on by artists from the world over including Greece.
This festival lasts 10 days and is held annually in the month of July. This rally dates back to 1964 and is the most prestigious of its kind. Races begin at Faliro Bay where boats of every shape and kind make their way around the stunning Aegean Islands before coming full circle to the starting point.
This festival is held annually on that particular night of August when the moon is full. This night is special since the Athenian authorities allow locals and tourists to visit its ancient monuments and archeological wonders and that too free of charge. It is indeed magical to walk amidst the beautiful city of Athens lit up by the light of the moon and the stars
The venue for this annual event is Attikon Cinema and the purpose is to view and appreciate the lesser known ventures in film making. Short films, documentaries and lower budget productions are screened here. The film-makers participating in this festival are from the world over including the host country Greece.
This annual festival is a treat for book lovers. Hundreds of stalls are set up at the Acropolis. Visitors can browse through the books whilst enjoying the beauty of these historical ruins.
This art exhibition is held annually in the month of September. This exhibition is unique and interesting because it chooses for display those pieces of art which try to portray Athens in a new and different light and attempt to destroy pre-conceived notions associated with this ancient city.
This festival is held in September every year and lasts one whole week. The focus is the exhibition of contemporary art from the world over in the form of theatrical performances, musical performances, short films etc.
This is the biggest of Greece's film festivals. It has been held annually since 1987.It is held at the Trianon Theatre and showcases local and foreign cinema.
This annual race is in memory of the famous messenger who ran all the way from Marathon to Athens to inform the people of the victory of the Greeks over the Persians. The tradition dates back to 490 BC and is still observed. The race now begins at Marathon and terminates at the Panathenaic Stadium which makes it over 40 kilometers long.
The venue for this celebration of Christmas which lasts well into January is Syntagma Square which is beautifully adorned this time of the year. One unique feature is the antique carousel on display which dates back to the late 19 th century. Father Christmas is present along side his elves chatting with visitors. Delectable desserts are also sold at the numerous stalls set up. The atmosphere is both magical and festive.