Athens & Epidaurus Festival 2026

The festival at a glance

• When: across the summer, roughly early June to late August 2026
• Main venues: Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Herodion), Athens; Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Peloponnese
• Programme: ancient drama, contemporary theatre, dance, classical and world music
• Epidaurus performances run mainly on summer weekends; Athens dates span the whole season
• Tickets: through the official festival box office and partner outlets — popular nights sell out

Herodion vs Epidaurus — which to choose

For most visitors the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is the easier choice: it is in central Athens, walkable from the Acropolis and Plaka, and an evening there — stone tiers, the Parthenon lit above you — is one of the great experiences in European culture.

Epidaurus is the pilgrimage. The ancient theatre sits about two hours from Athens in the Argolid, and seeing classical Greek tragedy performed where it was meant to be heard is unmatched. Many travellers make a weekend of it, combining the performance with Nafplio, Mycenae and the Peloponnese coast.

Getting there and tickets

The Herodion is a short walk from Akropoli metro station (Line 2) in Athens. For Epidaurus, most visitors drive or take an organised coach from Athens; festival shuttle buses often run on performance nights from central Athens to the theatre and back.

Tickets are sold through the official Athens & Epidaurus Festival box office. Programmes are usually announced in spring, and the best nights — especially big-name productions at Epidaurus and the Herodion — sell out early, so book as soon as dates are confirmed.

FAQ

When is the Athens & Epidaurus Festival 2026?

The festival runs across the summer of 2026, roughly from early June to late August. The full programme and exact performance dates are published by the festival each spring — check the official site and our event page before booking.

Where are performances held?

The two signature venues are the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (the Herodion) on the slope of the Acropolis in Athens, and the ancient theatre of Epidaurus in the Peloponnese. Some events use other Athens venues such as the Peiraios 260 complex.

How do I get from Athens to Epidaurus for a performance?

Epidaurus is about a two-hour drive from Athens. Many people drive or join an organised coach; on performance nights the festival often runs dedicated buses from central Athens to the theatre and back.

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets are sold through the official Athens & Epidaurus Festival box office and authorised outlets. Popular performances sell out, so buy as soon as the programme is released in spring.