116+ Greek Events for the August Full Moon [List]

Ancient marbles bathed in the silver light of the moon come alive once a year in Greece during the midsummer night’s full moon in August. Archaeological sites and museums around the country open their doors to the public free of charge, giving visitors the chance to enjoy a walk between the moonlit-drenched statues. The accompaniment of music sonatas, theater and dance events just makes the events all the more magical. So much so that you can almost feel the pleasure of the moon goddess Selene, who was depicted by the ancient Greeks as riding her horse side-saddled sprinkling her selas (light) across a twinkling sky.

The Ministry of Culture unveiled a series of events that run from August 17-21, culminating on August 18, the night of the full moon. More than 116 archaeological sites, monuments and museums around Greece will be open to the public from 17:00 until 24:00 free of charge. Scroll down for an event near you.

Events for the full moon night of August 18

EAST MACEDONIA-THRACE

KAVALA-THASOS	Archaeological Museum of Thasos	The museum will be open until 22:00 and the courtyard will be open until midnight.
KAVALA-THASOS	Archaeological Museum of Anaktoroupolis Neas Peramou	Music performance at 21:00
KAVALA-THASOS	Ancient Theater of Philippi	Choral and music presentation at 21:00.
KAVALA-THASOS	Archaeological Museum of Kavala	Open to the public from 19:00-22:00
DRAMA	Archaeological Museum of Drama	Open from 20:00-22:00
DRAMA	Archaeological Site of Kali Vrysi	A performance, titled “In the Light of the Moon”.
DRAMA	Archaeological Site of the Acropolis of Platania	Event, titled “Full Moon at the Acropolis of Platania”.
EVROS	Archaeological site of the Great Gods of Samothrace	Music event by the Saos Quartet, titled “Greek dances”, works by Nikos Skalkotas in collaboration with the Municipality of Samothrace.
XANTHI	Archaeological site of Abdiron	A guided walk and night of poetry from 19:00-24:00.

CENTRAL MACEDONIA

THESSALONIKI	Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki	The ballads of Vassilis Lekkas under a starry night at the central courtyard of the museum makes for a romantic interlude at 21:00.
THESSALONIKI	Roman Agora of Thessaloniki	Open from 20:00-24:00
IMATHIA	Courtyard of the Royal Tomb of Aegis	Music from 21:00-24:00
IMATHIA	Courtyard of the Byzantine Museum of Veroia	Jazz concert with songs from musicals from 21:00-24:00.
IMATHIA	Ancient Theater of Miezas	Philharmonic of the Municipality of Naousa and Echoes group from 21:00-24:00.
PELLA	Ancient Site of Pella	Jazz trio at 21:00. The site is open from 21:00-24:00.
PELLA	Archaeological Site of Longou Edessa	Music event with the Jazz Quartet of Diego Rivera (tenor, saxophone). The event kicks off at 21:00. The site is open from 20:00-24:00.
PELLA	Old Metropolis of Edessa	Open from 21:00-23:00.
CHALKIDIKI AND AGHIO OROS	Ancient Stageira	Concert in collaboration with the Municipality of Aristoteli by the mixed choir of Arnaia. Presentations by Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis and Stavros Xarhakos are to be performed. The site will be open from 08:00-24:00.
CHALKIDIKI	Byzantine Culture Museum	String Demons perform classical, traditional, heavy metal, and even pop, rembetika and ecclesiastic music that they have incorporated into their reportory. Byzantine hymns. Begins at 21:00.
SERRES	Archaeological Site of Amphipolis	Open from 08:00-22:00.
SERRES	Villa Rustica – Archaeological Site of Angista	Open event at the school. The site will be open to the public from 08:00-22:00.
PIERIA	Archaeological site of Kitrous – Ancient Pydna	A music event, titled “Moonlight at Pydna”, kicks off at 21:00.
PIERIA	Ancient site of Livithron, Livithron Park	A music and theater event titled, “A window is a song”, by the Law Association of Katerini and the Leptokarya Arts and Letters Foundation. Kicks off at 21:00.
PIERIA	Byzantine Church of Pydna Temple – Makrygialo Castle	The site will be open until 22:00.
PIERIA	Megaron Kitrous (Louloudies)	The site will be open until 22:00.
PIERIA	Heuzey Macedonian Tomb	The site will be open until 22:00.
PIERIA	Platamonas Castle	The site will be open until 22:00.
PIERIA	Petralona Cave	Free entry for the public from 20:00-23:00.

WEST MACEDONIA

KASTORIA	Tsiatsiapa Mansion at Apozari Kastoria	Music event by Blues Wire from 20:00-24:00.
GREVENA	Old School of TK Spilaio (in the ancient fort)	S. Dimaki speech, titled “Archaeological Palimpsest of the Cave from the Prehistoric to the Roman Period”, at 20:30, followed by speech on Byzantine and Post-Byzantine antiquities at the cave at 21:00 and music from 21:30-22:30.
KOZANI	Archaeological Museum of Aiani	Black-and-white photo display and art events. Music at the courtyard from 21:00-24:00

EPIRUS

ARTA	Archaeological Museum of Arta	Sky observation using telescopes. The area will be open from 08:00-24:00.
THESPROTIA	Archaeological site of Elea	Music event co-orgainzed by the Municipality of Souli. From 20:00-24:00.
THESPROTIA	Archaeological Museum of Igoumenitsa	The museum will be open from 20:00-23:00.
IOANNINA	Archaeological site of Dodoni	The site will be open from 20:00-24:00.
IOANNINA	Archaeological site of Megalos Gardikios	Concert by Greek singer Melina Kana, from 20:00-24:00.
IOANNINA	Castle of Ioannina – Acropolis of Its Kale	Recital by mezzo soprano Alexandra Grava. From 21:30-23:30
PREVEZA	Roman Conservatory of Nikopolis	Music in the light of the moon by the Trio Incontro (soprano, piano and violin). The program is titled “Melodia Sentimental” and includes songs from around the Mediterranean.

THESSALY

KARDITSA	Temple of Apollo	Music event by Lamia Bedioui and the Dessert Fish. Songs from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Spain, Italy and Greece with an ethnic twist. From 20:00-24:00.
KARDITSA	Lighthouse (Fanariou) Castle	Music event by the group “Local Escapes” that is co-organized by the Municipality of Mouzakiou.
LARISA	Byzantine Castle of Velikas	Music event and one-act plays from 20:00-24:00.
LARISA	Ancient Theater of Larisa	Site open to the public from 20:00-24:00
LARISA	Theopetras Cave	Free entry to the cave for the public from 20:00-24:00.
MAGNESIA	Archaeological site of Fthiotidon Thebes Nea Anhialou	Music night with singer Errika Patrikiou and pianist Elias Hatzoglou. Kicks off at 21:00.
TRIKALA	Byzantine Castle	Music event titled, “My Shiny Moonlight”, dedicated to Yiannis Spanos and Mimis Plessas. Open from 20:00-24:00.

IONIAN ISLANDS

ZAKYNTHOS	Domeneginis Castle, Argasi	Photo exhibition and music event at 20:00
CORFU	Old Fort of Corfu, “Versiadas”	Matzaros Philharmonic at 21:00

WESTERN GREECE

AITOLOKARNANIA LEFKADA	Plevronas Archaeological Site	Theater presentation from 21:00-24:00.
ACHAIA	Patras Archaeological Museum	Open from 20:00-24:00.
ACHAIA	Archaeological site of Rio Fort	Music events with Greek and foreign songs inspired by the moon.
ACHAIA	Castle of Patras	Open from 20:00-24:00.
ILIAS	Outdoor Museum of Olympia	String concert dedicated to Greek composers. Begins at 21:00.
ILIAS	Ancient Site of Olympia	Open from 21:00-01:00.
ILIAS	Archaeological Site of the Hlemoutsi Castle – outside	Music meeting of the mixed choir from around the region begins at 21:00
ILIAS	Archaeological Site of the Hlemoutsi Castle	Open from 20:30-00:30.

STEREA ELLADA

FTHIOTIDA EVRYTANIA	Castle-Archaeological Museum of Lamia	Music with saxophone and a tour of the venue from 20:00-24:00.
FTHIOTIDA EVRYTANIA	Byzantine Museum of Fthiotida and Ipati	Music with a tour of the museum from 20:00-24:00.
FTHIOTIDA EVRYTANIA	Archaeological Museum of Atalanti	Music night and a tour of the site from 20:00-24:00.
FTHIOTIDA EVRYTANIA	Archaeological Site of Proerna-Neo Monastiri	Renowned Greek singer Glykeria sings works by Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis from 20:00-24:00.
EVIA	Karababa Castle, Halkida	Photo display inspired by the moon from 21:00-02:00.
VIOTIA	Municipal Square across from the Lion of Heronia statue	Concert with Greek music by Rita Antonopoulou at 21:00. The Archaeological Museum of Heronia will be open from 20:00-24:00.
VIOTIA	Courtyard of the Archaeological Museum of Thebes	Music event with Nona Voudouri and the women’s choir of the region at 21:00. The museum will be open until 22:00.
VIOTIA	Park across from the Archaeological site of Orhomenos	Music event begins at 20:00, however the site will be open from 19:00-22:00.
FOKIDA	Archaeological Museum of Delphi	Sculpture exhibition by Athina and Aphrodite Liti at 19:00.

ATTICA

The Acropolis Museum will also be celebrating the Full Moon with the “Swingin’ Cats” to carry audiences away with their crazy swing and rock ‘n’ roll melodies. Admission will be free and the museum will be open until midnight.

NOTE: The Acropolis is sorely missing from the list because the surface is too slippery and unsafe for night visits in low light situations – that’s the official reason they’re giving us.

EAST ATTICA	Archaeological site and Museum of Vravrona	Guided tour of the site from 19:00-20:30. Jazz music from 21:00-23:00.
EAST ATTICA	Archaeological Site of Sounion, Temple of Poseidon	Open from 20:00-24:00.
CITY CENTER	Numismatic Museum – Iliou Melathron Mansion	Zoe Tiganouria concert with traditional music from around Greece, Asia Minor and the Mediterranean at the cafe of the museum from 20:00-24:00. The museum will be open until 20:00.
CITY CENTER	National Archaeological Museum	Music and dance presentation by the Ballet of Cuban State Television, Alejandro Ceballos. Guided tours around the museum and a display of artworks.
POROS	Archaeological site of Poseidon at Kalavreia and Poros	Piano recital from 20:00-24:00.
AEGINA	Ancient site of Afaia Aigina	Music events titled “Temple” of 45 minutes duration each. The site will be open from 21:00-24:00
KYTHIRA	Castle of Kythira	Open from 21:00-24:00
ELEFSINA	Archaeological site of Elefsina	Concert by Sonia Theodoridou in the framework of Aeschylus festival. Open from 20:30-23:30.

PELOPONNESE

LACONIA	Acropolis of Ancient Sparta	Music event, whereas site to be open to the public from 08:00-24:00.
MESSINIA	Nestoras Palace	Music night by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Mynicipality of Pylos at the courtyard of the Palace of Nestor. Open to the public until 24:00.
MESSINIA	Castle of Kalamata	Open from 20:00-24:00.
ARCADIA	Ancient Theater of Mantinia	Music of Greek and foreign composers, titled “In the Light of the Moon”. The venue will be open to the public until 24:00.
ARCADIA	Castle of Astros	Music event, titled “Swinging Under the Stars”, is a journey through operettas and musicals. Art display focused on the medieval castle in 1256. The castle will be open until sunset.
PYLOS	Pasas Building of the Fort of Pylos	Open from 20:00-24:00.
PYLOS	Makrygianni Building of the Fort of Pylos	Open from 20:00-24:00

NORTH AEGEAN

LESVOS	Upper Castle of Mytilene	Music event features classical opera in the moonlight, from 20:00-01:00.
LESVOS	Castle of Myrina Limnou	Music night in collaboration with the Municipality of Limnos and the Dimitris Mavrakis group. Photo display of the night sky from 20:00-01:00.
CHIOS	Archaeological site of Emboriou	The site will be open from 20:00-01:00
CHIOS	Byzantine Museum of Chios	The site will be open from 21:00-01:00.
CHIOS	Ottoman School and Castle of Chios	Photo display, titled “The School of the Caste: The Transformation of a Building Over the Years”. Open from 20:00-01:00.
SAMOS	Archaeological Museum of Vathi	The museum will be open from 20:30-23:30.
SAMOS	Archaeological Museum of Pythagorio	The museum will be open from 20:30-23:30.
SAMOS	Archaeological site of Iraio	The site will be open from 20:30-23:30.
IKARIA	Archaeological Museum of Aghios Kirykos	The museum will be open from 20:30-23:30.

DODECANESE

PATMOS	Nikolaidis Mansion	Open from 20:00-24:00.
RHODES	Archaeological Museum of Rhodes	Open from 20:00-24:00.
KOS	Roman House – Casa Romana	Open from 20:00-24:00.
DELOS	Archaeological site of Delos	Children’s choir of “Dimitris Finis” in collaboration with the Municipality of Mykonos.
NAXOS	Ygria Naxos	Music, dance and theater from 21:00-23:30.
PAROS	Archaeological Museum of Paros	Poetry tribute to Nikos Kavvadias by the Mythodia Choir. Open from 20:00-24:00.

CRETE

HERAKLION	Archaeological Museum of Herakleion	Music nights. Events to take place from 21:00-23:00.
CHANIA	Archaeological Museum of Kisamos	Art display by Anna Gioumbaki Xyrouhaki, titled the color of the moon from August 13-21.
CHANIA	Archaeological Site of Aptera (Aloni)	Traveling on the wings of music from 21:00-24:00.
CHANIA	Archaeological Site of Rokkas	State Orchestra of Thessaloniki performs with 85 musicians from 21:00-24:00.
HERAKLION	Venetian fort of Rocca a mare	Concert by Cretan traditional singer Loudovikos ton Anogion at the fort at 20:30.
HERAKLION	Archaeological site of Malia	Music event by the choir of Malia. The site will be open from 21:00 onwards.
HERAKLION	Archaeological site of Gortyna	Music event titled, “Singing with Melina”, features works by well-known Greek composers that wrote music scores sung by Melina Mercouri. The site is open from 20:00 until the end of the event.
HERAKLION	Archaeological site of Phaestos	Open from 20:00-23:00.
HERAKLION	Archaeological site of Tylisos	Jazz music by Sol Voyage. The Archaeological site will be open from 21:00 until the end of the event.
RETHYMNO	Kalo Horafi, Mylopotamos	Guided tour from 19:00-20:00 followed by music.
ANOGIO	Cave of Idaiou Androu	Poetry, music, theater and other events begin at 20:00.