Athens Jazz marks its 25 year anniversary with the most packed side events lineup to date
Athens Jazz marks its 25 year anniversary with the most packed side events lineup to date
Athens Jazz brings you a slate of exciting side events for people of all ages that will elevate your festival experience and keep the party going!
25 – 31.05-2026
Free Entry
Athens Jazz returns to Technopolis City of Athens from Monday 25 to Sunday 31 May with its 25th edition and a full slate of side events to complement its diverse musical lineup that includes 20 live acts from Greece and abroad. With a celebratory mood and super creative energy, Technopolis transforms into a vibrant meeting spot for lovers of music, art and the power of the communal live experience, offering free events for people of all ages. Exhibitions, installations and performances, a film screening, a Meet Market bazaar, children’s activities and a Latin jazz party make up a diverse side events lineup that gives this year’s edition its special flavor and creates a festival experience unlike any other in the rich history of the festival.
A definite standout among this year’s side events is the photography exhibition “25 years of Athens Jazz: Images of a Journey”. Curated by Thodoris Markou and Vangelis Patsialos, the exhibition takes us from the stage to the frame with a retrospective look at the history of the city’s most enduring music festival. Visitors will get to relive some of the festival’s most unforgettable moments, documented through the lens of ten photographers whose work has become deeply connected with Athens Jazz over the years.
The comic exhibition Musicoma, in collaboration with Comicdom CON Athens, presents materials from the creative journey of the interactive comic book by Maria-Olia Dakoyianni of the same name, establishing a unique dialogue between image, music and narrative. Guided tours by the author will complement the exhibition and teenage visitors will get the chance to wander through the world of Musicoma and then participate in an imaginative workshop that combines the basic principles of comic book illustration with the history of jazz.
COSMOTE TELEKOM, major sponsor of Technopolis City of Athens, will once again be offering unique and exciting experiences at the ART/TECH AREA by COSMOTE TELEKOM. In its ongoing exploration of the creative space at the intersection of art and technology, COSMOTE TELEKOM presents a live sketching event with doodles from the group Do Do and Do, an innovative multi-performance project by Dimitris Vassilakis and an impressive holographic installation in collaboration with Athens Digital Arts Festival.
Two of the festival’s trusted companions, the radio station Kosmos 93.6 and the Meet Market bazaar will also be present at this year’s edition. The Kosmos Jazz Party, a popular festival institution, is coming on Saturday 30 May with an explosive mix of Latin and jazz. The station’s van will be at Technopolis on Monday 25 and Friday 29 May to broadcast live the performances from two of the festival’s strongest days. Meet Market #JazzEdition returns with summer vibes, more than 100 exhibitors and a rich slate of events, such as DJ sets and children’s activities, to transform Technopolis into an open space for craftsmanship, creativity and social interaction.
The side events lineup takes the Athens Jazz experience off the stage and onto the screen, offering a very special film screening for music-loving cinephiles. On Sunday 30 May, you can watch the film Soundtrack to a Coup d’ État by Johan Grimonprez, which combines suspense, jazz and political intrigue against the backdrop of the Congo in the 1960s to shed light on the intricate connection between music, politics and history.
Finally, the 25th edition of Athens Jazz dedicates Sunday 31 May to our little friends with Jazz for Kids, a program full of activities that turn music into inspiration for self-expression, imaginative play and teamwork. Join the celebration and let rhythm spark your creativity with a diverse slate of events including a treasure hunt, an art workshop, music, movement and theater activities, face painting and a special workshop that teaches our young jazz fans how to make musical instruments out of wood.
Read on for the full lineup of side events for the 25th Athens Jazz.
Monday 25.05 – Sunday 31.05
Photography Exhibition “25 Years of Athens Jazz: Images of a Journey”
Technopolis | New Retorts
Athens Jazz celebrates its 25th anniversary with a retrospective photography exhibition documenting the trajectory of an institution that fosters music as a gathering space ideal for communicating, connecting and sharing. Eleven photographers, all fellow travelers throughout the festival’s life, present images born out of the vibrant presence of music, the silences between the notes, the glances, the movements of bodies alternating between stillness and rhythm, the moments of total dedication to sound and improvisation. The exhibition depicts the relationship between musicians and audience, the intensity of musical creation and the deeply human expression that gives birth to jazz. Through different points of view, the photographs spotlight the spirit of a festival that, for 25 years, has been the meeting point for people who share an unwavering love for music and the unique communal experience of live performance.
Photographers: Thomas Daskalakis, Thrassos Irinis, Chris Kissadjekian, Christos Kopsahilis, Thodoris Markou, Michalis Bothos, Costas Broumas, Ippokratis Navridis, Vangelis Patsialos, Stefania Tsoupaki
Curated by: Thodoris Markou, Vangelis Patsialos
Exhibition hours: Monday – Sunday 19:00 – 00:00
Comic exhibition Musicoma
Technopolis | New Watergas – Ground floor
Musicoma, the comic book by Maria-Olia Dakoyianni that blends the experience of reading with original music and the history of jazz, is coming to Technopolis in collaboration with Comicdom CON Athens. The exhibition includes materials from the entire creative process, from early drafts, timelines and references, to the composition of the music itself and photographs from the live presentation of the project. There will also be guided tours available for the visitors of the exhibition by the comic book creator.
Exhibition hours: Monday – Sunday 19:00 – 00:00
Guided tours: Tuesday – Thursday – Friday 20:00-21:00 & Sunday 19:00 – 20:00
The Meet Market #JazzEdition
Technopolis | Machine works, Machine works – courtyard
Once again, Technopolis hosts the jazziest edition of Meet Market, with over 100 exhibitors and a wide variety of unique local brands selling vintage and handmade creations… and more. With positive vibes and a summer mood, this year’s Meet Market #JazzEdition delivers DJ sets, street food and children’s activities that will keep you busy in between the amazing performances of our 25th anniversary edition.
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 19:00 – 00:00 & Saturday – Sunday 12:00 – 00:00
ART/TECH AREA by COSMOTE TELEKOM
Jazz Doodle Universe
Technopolis | Central Courtyard
What happens when the spontaneity of doodling meets the rhythm of jazz and interacts live with the audience? The creative team Do Do and Do presents Jazz Doodle Universe, a live sketching event where artists create digital sketches in real time and project them on the screen, transforming moments, expressions and characters from the audience into an unpredictable, interactive jazz universe, where the jazz fans themselves become part of the festival experience.
Event hours: Monday – Sunday 20:00 – 00:00
Jazz Improvisation and Artificial Intelligence
Technopolis | Purifier
With the help of high-end technology, internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer Dimitris Vassilakis and his team will present a special multi-performance exhibition for the audience of the 25th Athens Jazz. In this impressive confluence of art and technology, Vassilakis’ saxophone improvisations train an AI system, which interacts with him using music, poetry and prose to create rich, layered soundscapes. Projections, videos and multi-performances that combine visuals, theatre and dance will enrich the exhibition experience, while a conversation on the role of AI in the creative process is sure to leave the most curious among the festival visitors with a lot of food for thought.
This event is co-produced by Jazz Democracy NPO.
Exhibition hours: Monday – Sunday 19:00 – 00:00
Performances: Monday – Sunday 21:30 & 22:30
Astral Music Projections
Technopolis | Purifier
Athens Digital Arts Festival will present an interactive holographic installation specially designed for the 25th Athens Jazz titled “Astral Music Projections”. Using the installation controls, the audience will influence the composition in real time to activate millions of possible variations of sound and image, creating a multicultural universe of music and human interaction. The installation, created in collaboration with MDH Hologram and Strange Pill, invites visitors to a communal and participatory exploration of music as a constantly evolving experience.
Event hours: Monday – Sunday 19:00 – 00:00
Saturday 30.05
Guided tour of the Musicoma exhibition and workshop for teenagers
Technopolis | New Watergas – Ground floor
As part of the art exhibition dedicated to the comic book Musicoma, teenagers aged 15 and up will get the chance to experience a guided tour of this extraordinary exhibition and then participate in an interactive workshop that will introduce them to the basics of comic book illustration, with a bit of jazz history thrown into the mix. Inspired by music and driven by the unstoppable power of their imagination, participants will get to create their own, unique stories.
Tour and workshop session: 17:00 – 19:00
For ages 15+
Film Screening Soundtrack to a Coup d’État
Technopolis | Gasholder 1 – Auditorium “Miltiadis Evert”
The 25th Athens Jazz has collaborated with the streaming platform Cinobo to bring you a fascinating film screening guaranteed to energize music lovers interested in the intersection of politics and art. Director and visual artist Johan Grimonprez composes an explosive cocktail of jazz music and political intrigue in a critically acclaimed film set against the backdrop of the Congo in the 1960s. The film is an indictment of the corporate and colonial interests behind the conspiracy against Patrice Lumumba, leader of the country’s independence movements and Congo’s first democratically elected Prime Minister. Soundtrack to a Coup d’État is an important history lesson about the ghosts of colonialism that haunt Africa to this day.
Screening time: 19:00 – 21:30
Kosmos Jazz Party
Gazarte Roof Stage
After five years of working and partying together, Athens Jazz and radio station Kosmos 93.6 are here to deliver the most exhilarating Kosmos Jazz Party to date. Get ready for a night full of dance and music to the rhythm of jazz and Latin! The night belongs to none other than Rosanna Mailan, who will bring her indomitable Cuban spirit and her 11-member Rosanna Mailan Orchestra to the Gazarte Roof Stage for an unforgettable, electrifying night. Then, your favorite producers of Kosmos 93.6 will take over the decks with one mission: to keep you moving on the dance floor with groovy beats, good vibes and authentic Latin feeling.
Starting time: 21:00
* Tune in to Kosmos 93.6 on Monday 25.05 for the live broadcast of the opening day of Athens Jazz with a full Greek lineup and on Friday 29.05 for one of the most exciting nights of this year’s edition.
Sunday 31.05
Jazz for Kids
Technopolis | Central chimney, Skywalk Courtyard, INNOVATHENS, Playground, New Watergas, Upper Courtyard
The 25th Athens Jazz brings you a day dedicated to the children with a specially designed slate of activities that will fill the venue with color, music and fun for our little jazz fans! From various workshops and performances to face painting and a treasure hunt, our young friends will get to experience an unforgettable day of music and creativity that proves jazz knows no age!
Activities available from 11:00 to 14:00
Jazz Hunt | Free flow treasure hunt
Technopolis | Distribution point for the treasure hunt kit: Shop
The team of the Industrial Gas Museum presents a special treasure hunt that combines the history of the old gas plant and gas production line with the secrets of jazz. Parents and children can get to know one of the most well-preserved industrial museums in Europe through an exciting, unexpected and fun adventure.
Event hours: 11:00 – 14:00
Face Painting
Technopolis | Central Chimney
The incredible Moutzoures are coming to Athens Jazz to spread laughter and colorful designs inspired by jazz music. For children… and children at heart!
Event hours: 11:00 – 13:00
For ages 2+
Jazz up the band! | Art workshop
Technopolis | INNOVATHENS – Ground floor
How many shapes are hidden in a saxophone? How many circles make up a drum? Our little friends cut, connect, and decorate to create the jazziest musical instruments using recyclable materials, in an imaginative art workshop organized by the Industrial Gas Museum. Then, they put them on to become the most amazing jazz band!
Workshop sessions: 11:00 – 11:40, 11:40 – 12:20, 12:20 -13:00
For ages 5-8
Music out of wood | Art workshop
Technopolis | Playground
Children become little jazz instrument makers, building stringed and percussion instruments by combining wood with everyday materials!
The workshop includes the use of carpentry tools, such as saws and sandpaper.
Workshop session: 11:00 – 13:00
For ages 5+
Let’s dance! | Music, movement and theatre workshop
Technopolis | Skywalk courtyard
Children play and experiment with rhythm in an improvisational musical activity where sound and movement blend together freely. With the help of music, they will move through space on “dancing feet” and try different ways of walking and bodily expression. Role playing games and improvisations will transform each kid into a different “jazz animal”, encouraging them to express themselves creatively and participate in rhythmic dialogues. A fun workshop organized by the team of the Industrial Gas Museum.
Workshop sessions: 12:00 – 13:00 & 13:00 – 14:00
For ages 5-8
The sound totem | Theatre performance
Technopolis | Upper Courtyard (between INNOVATHENS and Gasholder 1 – Auditorium “Miltiadis Evert”)
Two multi-instrumentalists and child educators. One magical totem. These will be your guides as you look for the first sound that was ever heard in the world with the help of the accordion, the bagpipes, the bouzouki and various percussion and other makeshift musical instruments. An interactive performance by the group “2 Laloun” filled with music and sounds that will delight children and parents.
Event hours: 13:00 – 14:00
For ages 2-6
Come celebrate our 25th birthday with us at Athens Jazz and enjoy the most extensive slate of side events in the festival’s long history. For an entire week, visitors will get the chance to actively participate in a series of happenings that go beyond entertainment to create unforgettable jazz memories. Seven days of music, seven days of unlimited energy and fun!
*Activities will be available on a first come, first served basis.
**The side events schedule is subject to change. Visit athensjazz.gr to stay up to date.
* For all the latest jazzy news, follow the Athens Jazz Festival pages on Facebook and Instagram and don’t forget to subscribe to the Athens Jazz Festival channel on Youtube. For more information, visit the festival website athensjazz.gr.
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