Set against a spring atmosphere and the deeply devout mood of the period, this year’s Easter is accompanied by a rich program of cultural events that extend throughout Holy Week. Concerts, theatrical performances, musical tributes, educational programs for children, Easter markets and neighborhood activities shape a cultural landscape where spirituality and tradition meet contemporary artistic creation.

Concerts of religious repertoire and musical tributes

Concerts of religious repertoire and classical music, as well as musical tributes focusing on the spirit of Holy Week, are hosted in concert halls, conservatories, museums and churches.

On Lazarus Saturday (4/4), the Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra and Choir, under the direction of Apostolos Paliou and with the participation of distinguished soloists, join forces in a special concert featuring three works by composer Thomas Bakalakos, presented to the public for the first time, at the Olympia Municipal Music Theatre “Maria Callas”. A unique musical journey that connects the philosophical thought of East and West with the timeless power of the “Hymn of Love” by Apostle Paul.

Dedicated to the Divine Passion is the “afternoon concert” of Palm Sunday, presented by the De Profundis Ensemble at the Museum of the B. & M. Goulandris Foundation. The string ensemble performs works of the religious repertoire that engage in dialogue with the universal artwork “The Divine Form” by Doménikos Theotokópoulos, which belongs to the Foundation’s collection.

One of the most popular Easter musical works, the iconic “Stabat Mater” (1736) by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, which describes the mourning of the Virgin Mary beneath the Cross, is once again in the spotlight: on 4/4 it will be performed by mezzo-soprano Lillian Tsatsaroni and soprano Maria Roumani at the “Dielefsis” Cultural Space, while on Palm Sunday (5/4) it will be presented at the Catholic Church of Saint Theresa in Kypseli by the L’ Anima String Quartet, joined by soprano Maria Mitsopoulou and mezzo-soprano Angeliki Kathariou. Then, on Holy Monday 6/4 at the Angeliki Hatzimichali House, it meets works of Latin American baroque in a program that brings different musical traditions and cultural references into dialogue.

A composition of deep spirituality and dramatic intensity is proposed by the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra, which will perform on Holy Monday 6/4 the Oratorio “Paul” (1836), a work rarely presented in Greece that vividly narrates the life and mission of the “Apostle of the Nations”. The work by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, with its monumental choral sections, will be presented at the Ioannis Despotopoulos Amphitheatre of the Athens Conservatoire, in collaboration with leading soloists and three choirs.

Drawing inspiration from the timeless motif of Mater Dolorosa—the mother standing before the Passion of her Son—the Maiandros Ensemble presents on Holy Monday at the Athens Concert Hall the concert “Mater Dolorosa – The Mother of Sighs”, a devotional tribute to the sorrow of the Virgin Mary. Through works by composers such as Albinoni, Vivaldi, Handel, Bach, Schubert, Schumann, Fauré, Mascagni and Vavilov, the concert combines musical interpretation with narration, creating an atmosphere of reflection and emotion. On the same day, the “Musical Walks” of the Athens State Orchestra, with a trio of violin (Nikos Mandylas), cello (Vania Papadimitriou) and piano (Popi Malapani), present at the Byzantine and Christian Museum a program ranging from the era of Joseph Haydn to the present day.

Closing
Also, on Holy Monday at Saint Philip in Monastiraki, the De Profundis ensemble presents the fourth concert of a five-part monthly cycle titled “Metamorphoses”, with works by Bach and Mozart and free admission for the public, while at the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Paul in Piraeus, the Union of Greek Lyric Soloists, under the artistic direction of conductor Mata Katsouli, organizes an Easter concert of sacred music to support the association and its causes.

At the same time, at Technopolis (Miltiadis Evert Amphitheatre), the musical performance “The Ladder to Heaven” approaches Holy Week through set poetry. Thodoris Voutsikakis and Alkmini, under the artistic direction of Lina Nikolakopoulou, perform songs inspired by Greek poetic tradition, creating an atmospheric musical narrative.

On Holy Tuesday, April 7, the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and the Greek National Opera present at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center a concert dedicated to peace. German-Jewish violinist Liv Migdal, known for her expressive and sensitive interpretation, and Iranian-German conductor Yalda Zamani, distinguished for her dynamic and contemporary musical approach, join forces on stage with the orchestra, conveying a strong message of unity and hope through works that combine Passion with Loss. The program includes rarely performed masterpieces by composers from different countries and cultures, such as Bechara El-Khoury (Lebanon), Hossein Dehlavi (Iran), Paul Ben-Haim (Israel) and Richard Strauss (Germany).

An ecstatic journey through Mediterranean traditions is attempted the same day at the Olympia Municipal Music Theatre “Maria Callas” by the Ergon Ensemble, under the musical direction of Markellos Chryssikos, in the concert titled “Bread from Ashes”, bringing into dialogue two emblematic works of contemporary music, “Kyrie Eleison” by John Tavener and “Ayre” by Argentine Osvaldo Golijov, with the participation of Savina Yannatou and Maria Kostraki. Also, at the Anglican Church of Saint Paul, the devotional performance “The Passion” by Magda Mavroyianni and Dimitris Aivaliotis combines narration, music and choral parts in a candlelit ritual setting, dramaturgically following the path to the Resurrection.

The musical events conclude with the established Easter concert on Holy Wednesday 8/4 by the Athens State Orchestra and the Athens Concert Hall. An evening that unites religious feeling with human anxiety in the face of the inevitable. As a “prelude”, Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” will be performed, a model of expressive simplicity and structural perfection. This is followed by Benjamin Britten’s “Sinfonia da Requiem”, a work combining anguish before death with strong anti-war messages. The program concludes with Anton Bruckner’s “Te Deum”, an imposing piece that evokes reverence and awe. Four distinguished opera singers (Sofia Kyanidou, Mary-Ellen Nezi, Mario Zeffiri, Petros Magoulas), the choirs of ERT and the Municipality of Athens, and the Athens State Orchestra unite under the musical direction of conductor Konstantinos Terzakis.

Contemporary readings of the Divine Drama

On Lazarus Saturday, Eleni and Souzana Vogiouklí return to the stage of Theatre of the No (at 21:30) for a special musical ritual of memory and rebirth titled “Laments and Legends”. Through hymns, gospel and cathartic laments from Greece and around the world, the two artists create a performance where mourning becomes a collective experience of catharsis. At Stathmos Theatre, the play “Christ Recrucified” by Nikos Kazantzakis, adapted and directed by Manos Karatzogiannis, brings to the stage a story of love and hatred, courage and endurance (additional performances: 6–8/4).

Easter activities in neighborhoods by the Municipality of Athens

With a wide program of cultural and social activities, the Municipality of Athens welcomes Easter, inviting people of all ages to take part in events that combine creativity, music, tradition and solidarity.

At the Municipality’s Creative Learning Centers in the neighborhoods of Agios Pavlos, Gyzi, Evelpidon, Kypseli and Sepolia, free Easter art workshops for children are held under the supervision of the Organization for Culture, Sports and Youth of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), including crafts, egg painting, traditional basket-making and other activities inspired by Easter customs. In addition, also free of charge, the Municipal Gallery organizes the interactive game “The Chocolate Bunny Hunt”, where children discover elements of art through a creative treasure hunt.

At the same time, the Municipality of Athens plans significant social solidarity initiatives, distributing gifts and essential goods to beneficiary families at the Citizens’ Mutual Aid Hub and to beneficiaries of the Athens Shelter. The activities will culminate on Sunday, April 12, with the Easter Meal of Love at the Rouf Indoor Basketball Court, where the Municipality will offer meals to people in need and the homeless, sending a strong message of solidarity and care.

Educational activities and workshops for children at the National Archaeological Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum

The National Archaeological Museum invites young visitors to take part in specially designed educational activities during the Easter holidays on April 6 and 7, 2026, with free admission. Through these activities, children will make use of their free time by stimulating their imagination and developing their creativity.

In particular, in the program titled “Blooming Treasures in the Museum”, children will have the opportunity to participate in a treasure hunt within the exhibition space, solving riddles and searching for plants, flowers, birds and other elements of spring under the guidance of archaeologists. They will also take part in an art workshop inspired by ancient exhibits and create their own artwork to take home.

The Byzantine and Christian Museum welcomes the Easter festive period with two special educational activities for adults, students and children, inviting the public to explore the deeper meaning of Holy Week through its exhibits. Specifically, on Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, a themed tour of the permanent exhibition “From the Passion to the Resurrection” will take place.

Through a curated route, visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to explore iconographic representations and liturgical objects depicting the events of Holy Week and the message of the Resurrection. At the same time, on Palm Sunday, an original “treasure hunt” begins in the museum’s spaces. Children are invited to solve riddles, discover selected exhibits and travel through images and vestments into the events of the Divine Drama—from the Entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. During the activity, they collect symbolic red eggs and gather materials for their final mission: creating their own Easter “sock bunny”. A hands-on experience combining knowledge, play and creativity, bringing children closer to Easter traditions in an engaging and participatory way.

Easter market at Technopolis

At Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, “The Meet Market – Easter Edition 2026” on April 4 and 5 brings a more extroverted and festive tone to the city’s Easter scene. More than 150 exhibitors present handmade items, jewelry, clothing and Easter creations, while visitors can explore vintage-style spaces and sample products from Greek producers. The program also includes DJ sets, street food options and a rich schedule of free activities for children, such as the Easter Egg Hunt, creating a multidimensional experience.