Zappeion Amphitheater to host Olympia Festival this summer

Athens is set to embrace a vibrant summer of culture with the inauguration of the Olympia Festival. Running from June 21 to July 25, 2026, the festival will unfold at the newly constructed Zappeion Garden Amphitheater, promising a blend of arts, culture, and sports in the heart of the capital.

The festival's opening night on Sunday, June 21, 2026, coincides with World Music Day. The event will feature a free concert, "Swinging with the Big Band," performed by the Athens Big Band. This performance will highlight beloved jazz melodies from its golden age alongside contemporary arrangements designed to capture the enduring spirit of swing music. Sami Amiros will conduct the orchestra.

This inaugural event, with free admission, serves as an open invitation to both residents and visitors of Athens. It marks the beginning of a new cultural institution intended to become a landmark for significant cultural activities within the city. The Olympia Festival is poised to enhance Athens' summer cultural calendar, offering over a month of events that celebrate creativity, music, and artistic expression in the historic city center.

The festival is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Qualco Group and the support of the Institute for Hellenic Music Heritage (IEMH). The Zappeion Garden Amphitheater, still under construction, is revealed in exclusive photographs as a modern space ready to welcome the public, signaling a new era for cultural events in Athens.

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Swinging with the Big Band