Music Festivals in Greece: 15 Events That’ll Blow Your Mind

Find the ride you need in Greece

Ready to dance? These 15 music festivals in Greece will inspire you to book ASAP. Discover new events, parties, and festivals here.

girls with hands up at Greek music fest

Whether you’re a veteran or a newbie to music festivals, Greece should be on your radar this summer. It might feel early to think about summer festivals, but tickets will be on sale soon, so it’s never too early to plan.

Alongside being a paradise for history buffs and foodies, Greece is also excellent for music lovers. And if you’re a fan of all three? Well, we’ve found your heaven. From intense rock concerts to hip-hop events, this country takes music seriously. So, plan your Greek holiday around a music festival to take the experience to a whole new level. 

We’ve gathered the best festivals in this country to help you get inspired. Get your backpack ready. It’s time to start planning.

15 Best Music Festivals Greece Has On Offer

woman showing heart sign

Whether you want to rave on a golden beach or party with the Acropolis in the background, the Greeks have your back. 

Don’t bother searching “Music Festivals Greece 2024.” All the hottest events are here. 

Important note: Since music festivals change dates regularly, we’ve included the month they are generally held. But for the most up-to-date info, click the links below for each festival.

1. Shapes Festival

electronic music festival

Where: Zakynthos, Greece

When: TBA 2024

If getting down on the Greek islands is your priority this summer, head to Zakynthos for the Shapes Festival. This multi-genre festival allows attendees to party it up for five days amongst beautiful Ionian Sea views. 

Top music genres at this event include techno, house, electronic, and jazz. There are also evening after-parties, boat parties, and beach raves. The musical celebration literally doesn’t stop for five days. 

This is a must when planning a Greek island party holiday. The drinks will be flowing, and the energy will be electric. However, if you’re looking for a more laid-back event, you might want to skip this one. 

2. Release Athens Festival

crowd dancing at a festival

Where: Athens, Greece 

When: Usually June-July

Release Athens Festival always makes it onto the best list of European music festivals, thanks to its prominent acts and abundance of genres. You can expect to hear notes from pop stars, rock bands, hip-hop acts, metal bands, indie performers, and top electronic DJs. It is truly a festival for those who enjoy all genres.

Plus, as the name suggests, it’s an Athens-based festival. If you’ve always wanted to explore the Greek capital and its historic sites, align your booking with the event — the best of both worlds.

Pro tip: If you want to see big-name stars, this festival is for you. Past acts include The Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan, Rosalia, Siouxsie & The Banshees, and many more. 

3. 2310 Music Festival

rapper at 2310 Greek music festival

Where: Thessaloniki, Greece

When: Usually July

Located in Thessaloniki, a buzzing mainland city, the 2310 Music Festival is here to impress. 

This event is dedicated to the many variations of rap music, and attendees can expect to see trap, hip-hop, and drill all in one place. You’ll never want to leave if you live and breathe rap music. 

2310 Music Festival started in 2021, making it a relatively new festival. It’s been quickly embraced, and now many consider it one of the best events in the country. Greece has a large hip-hop industry and millions of fans, so there’s no wonder this festival is already notorious. 

4. Rockwave Festival

guy crowdsurfing at a music fest in Greece

Where: Malakasa, Athens, Greece

When: Early July

Known as one of the best rock festivals worldwide and one of the top festivals in Greece, Rockwave Festival is a staple of the global music circuit and has been revered by festival-goers since 1996.

Rockwave Festival is hosted in Malakasa’s Terra Vibe Park, providing ample dancing space and campsites for attendees in it for the long haul. It’s also only a two-hour drive from Athens, allowing visitors to experience the capital within the same vacation.

Previous acts from this festival include Deep Purple, The Black Keys, Placebo, Iron Maiden, Evanescence, and many more. 

5. Colourday Festival 

group of people covered in paint at Colourday music festival in Greece

Where: Oaka, Athens, Greece

When: Around late June

If you’re all about color and non-stop dancing, forgo the rock fests and make a beeline for the Colourday Festival

As the name suggests, the Colourday Festival is all about color. Expect color powder bombs, paint sprays, and jaw-dropping stage designs. Many festival goers arrive in neon clothes, creating rainbow crowds and impressive Instagram stories. 

Over 41 artists arrive at this festival, and many are Greek — ideal if you’re on a mission to embrace the country’s vibrant music scene. You’ll also find DJs and dance tents, so bring comfy shoes for non-stop shuffling!

Fun fact: Six tons of paint were prepared for the 2023 festival. 

6. Chania Rock Festival

hands up at at music festival in Greece

Where: Chania, Greece

When: July 

Calling metalheads, rockers, and everyone in between. Chania Rock Festival is the place to headbang.

This festival has been a meeting place for metalheads and the rock scene since 2002, and it’s still going strong today. But it’s not just a place to listen to Greek rock. You’ll also find international artists here.

So, skip your next haircut and pack your band tees. Chania Rock Festival is a must for a spot of hardcore. 

7. Supa Dupa Fly Santorini

sunset at a Greek music festival

Where: Santorini, Greece

When: June 

Londoners, you might recognize this one.

Supa Dupa Fly is a collective that organizes throwback nights, hip-hop events, and R&B celebrations in England’s capital. 

However, they’ve now expanded their reach to Greece! Imagine an electronic dance festival with well-known DJs against the Santorini skyline. It’s a must if you’ve dreamed of raving against the iconic sunsets or experiencing the island’s famous party scene.

And when the party ends? Supa Dupa Fly also includes hip-hop yoga sessions, pool parties, and daytime cave raving. So, the party doesn’t really end. Fabulous. 

8. Take Off Festival

girls on shoulders at music festival in Greece

Where: Crete, Greece

When: Late June/Early July

Another island festival, Take Off, is hosted in Crete, giving partygoers a reason to book an impromptu six-night vacation. 

At this festival, you’ll find DJs, electronic artists, and party musicians in every genre. However, the focus for this event is dance and electronic music — it’s best not to attend if you want a quiet weekend away!

Unlike standard festivals, the Take Off Festival includes pool parties, boat parties, and beach raves. There are even paint raves in the schedule, so pack accordingly — no clothes with delicate wash care.

9. Plissken Festival

singer at a music festival in Greece

Where: Athens, Greece

When: June

Ready for another world-famous festival? Add Plissken to your notes app plans now. 

This Greek festival takes place in Athens and is a stopping point for many prominent artists and their lesser-known counterparts. Uh-huh, alongside famous musicians, Plissken also sheds the spotlight on up-and-coming talent. Recent acts have included Idles, Alice Glass, Bonobo, Slowthai, Yves Tumor, and many more alternative acts.

Like things green?

Plissken Festival is committed to being environmentally friendly and has received awards from the Greener Festival Awards for two years in a row. Extraordinary music, minus the extra emissions. 

10. Olympus Festival

outdoor performance

Where: Pieria, Greece

When: July and August

If you’re looking for something a bit more cultural than rave-centered, check out the Olympus Festival. This annual event celebrates culture, music, and theater and has been a staple of Greek festivities since 1972. 

Expect stunning performances from Greek and international artists, modern arts and dance, and ancient plays and theater favorites — some performed in ancient Greek theaters. From Byzantine tunes to poetry, this is a must for anyone who wants to experience Greece’s diverse history. 

Pro tip: This festival is spread out over a month. Research the individual events and plan your trip based on what you want to see.

11. Phaex Festival

night at a music festitval in Corfu Greece

Where: Corfu, Greece

When: August

Looking for bright lights, big beats, and watching the sun set and rise without going to sleep? Book your ticket for Corfu’s Phaex Festival ASAP. 

This electronic festival mainly focuses on techno DJs, but you’ll find all electronic music here. There are usually over 40 artists on the bill, so don’t miss out on a second of the music. 

You can buy single-day tickets and full-event tickets for this festival. Ideal if you want to join the fun on your terms. 

12. Primer Festival

Where: Athens, Greece

When: August

Located just 15 minutes from Athens’ center, Primer Festival is your go-to for hip-hop and electronic music. This festival has been headlined by Tiesto, Tyga, DJ Snake, J Balvin, and hundreds of other world-famous performers in recent years.

This is one of the largest festivals on the list, and if you’re looking for an exhilarating party, it’s one of the best to attend. After the event, guests take to Athens’ nightlife and keep the night going in the city’s bars and clubs. 

Don’t set an early alarm after this fest. 

13. Free Earth Festival

trance festival in Greece

Where: Azapiko Beach, Halkidiki 

When: Late August and Early September 

Imagine vivid colors, lush beach scenery, and the sound of cutting-edge psytrance. That’s exactly what you can expect from Free Earth — one of the leading psychedelic festivals in Europe. 

This festival will be up your street if you want to dance with like-minded trance lovers while embracing your hippy spirit. You can expect visual sets, great music performances, art installments, and a family area. All of this on an idyllic Greek beachfront. Amazing.

Free Earth may not be one of the biggest music festivals in Europe, but it’s absolutely one of the most unique. 

14. Ejekt Festival

guitar music festival in Greece

Where: Plateia Nerou, Athens, Greece

When: Early July

Any guitar lovers out there?

Ejekt Festival is the event of the summer for you. 

The Athens-based festival is another big name on the Greek event circuit, dedicated to guitar-focused genres with a few electronic artists. 

From rock music to indie tunes, this party always has an impressive range of bands. Past acts have included the Arctic Monkeys, Moby, Pixies, Amy Winehouse, Beastie Boys, and Florence + The Machine. We can’t wait to see what future lineups have to offer.

15. Athens Epidaurus Festival

crowd at a ancient Greek theater

Where: Athens, Greece

When: Throughout June to August

Another more culture-based festival, the Athens Epidaurus Festival, is a significant event that’s been on the country’s schedule since 1955. 

While this isn’t your typical music festival, it does involve excellent music performances and dance acts from professional artists. However, instead of jumping up and down in a mosh pit, you can watch these shows at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. 

An ancient experience you can’t miss.

Weather in Greece

concert with confetti

Most Greek festivals occur in the summer, and we can see why. Across the country, temperatures reach scorching levels, allowing you to enjoy the party season without getting a chill.

Expect the temperature to sit around an average of 32°C (90°F) in the summer (July, June, and August). Of course, this figure fluctuates, and you can expect cooler temperatures in the north and warmer weather in the southern islands. 

In the winter months (December, January, and February), the temperature averages 13°C (55°F), and this can drop to as low as 5°C (41°F) in the northern parts of the country. Brrr. 

Music Festivals in Greece packing list

girl at a music festival in Greece

Inspired by past music festivals in Greece? Us too. Here’s a quick overview of everything you’ll need for the festival season in this European country.

  • Euros
  • Travel insurance
  • Festival tickets
  • ID
  • Portable chargers
  • Blister plasters
  • Water
  • Face paint/glitter
  • SPF
  • Comfortable shoes

With these basics, you can handle whatever the experience throws at you. Now, go forth and dance.

Map of the best music festivals in Greece

We don’t want you to miss a beat (see what we did there?). Here is a map of these 15 festivals so you can start planning your vacation. 

How to get to Greece

red car on coast

Most travelers arrive in Greece via Athens Airport. You won’t need ongoing tickets if your festival is in the capital. 

However, Athens to Thessaloniki is a popular journey to reach the northern part of the country (or 2310 Festival and Free Earth Festival). This takes approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes via Hellenic Train or 5 hours and 20 minutes in a private transfer.

Alternatively, you can travel from Athens to Santorini for some Greek island fun and to access the Supa Dupa Fly Festival. This journey only takes 50 minutes by plane — epic. 

Final Thoughts on Greece’s Best Music Festivals

dj at a music festival in Greece

The music festivals Greece has to offer are diverse and provide world-class entertainment. From discovering new acts to seeing rockstars in the flesh, there’s an event for all needs. Just make sure you book ahead and secure your ticket! You don’t want to be dealing with expensive resale prices. 

Once you’ve reserved your festival ticket, check out your travel options. Bookaway’s Greek routes are here to get you from A to B so you don’t miss a band.

FAQ

Are there any music festivals in Greece? 

Yes! Greece is quickly becoming a musical hotspot thanks to its warm weather and many festival locations. Favorite music festivals include Release Athens, Primer Festival, and Rockwave Festival.

What’s the best music festival in Greece? 

Rockwave Festival is one of Greece’s most popular festivals and has been held since 1996. However, today, there are options in all genres.

What is the largest music festival in Greece?

Colourday Festival is one of the largest in Greece, with over 40,000 attendees each year. 

Posted November 20, 2023
photo of blog writer Isobel
Isobel Coughlan
Isobel is a keen traveler and writer from London, UK. With 40 countries under her belt and months spent on the road, Isobel knows what it’s like to travel without a concrete plan. Her love for freelancing started while studying, and now she embraces the on-the-go life. When she’s not writing, Isobel can be found planning her next trip!
photo of blog writer Isobel