At a glance
Late May
Seven nights, Monday to Sunday. In 2026: 25–31 May.
0€
Free entry to all concerts.
21:00
The first concert of the night. The next ones follow at 22:00 and 23:00.
~20 minutes
From Ioulianou 50: Line 1 to Monastiraki, Line 3 one stop to Kerameikos.
What Athens Jazz is
The festival is organised by the City of Athens through Technopolis, the old Gazi gasworks turned cultural venue. The stage is set up in the courtyard, among the chimneys and stone buildings, and the crowd gathers in front of it. It's not just for jazz fans: the programme mixes classic jazz, funk, electronic sounds and world music, and plenty of people come simply for a free night of music in the open air.
Each night two or three acts play, one after the other, from 21:00. The 2026 line-up included, among others, Norway's elephant9, Britain's Alabaster DePlume, Italian trombonist Gianluca Petrella with Cosmic Renaissance and Swedish singer Rebecka Törnqvist. Greek bands always have their place; in 2026 the first night was dedicated to Greek jazz.
The Norwegian trio played Athens Jazz in 2026. Here in Norway, 2023.
Saxophonist and poet from Manchester. At Athens Jazz in 2026; here in London, 2017.
The Italian trombonist closed the Friday in 2026. Here in Utrecht, 2019.
The Swedish singer opened the last night of 2026. Here in Stockholm, 2009.
Photos: Birgit Fostervold (CC BY-SA 4.0), Paul Hudson, Dirk Neven, Bengt Nyman (CC BY 2.0), Wikimedia Commons.
How an evening runs
- 21:00: the first concert. If you want a spot near the stage, come a little earlier.
- 22:00: the second act. That's when the courtyard is busiest.
- 23:00: the last concert, on nights with three acts.
Around the concerts there are side events. In 2026 there was a photo exhibition for the festival's 25 years, a comics exhibition, a party on the Gazarte rooftop and, on Sunday morning, workshops for children with «Jazz for Kids».
Technopolis
Technopolis is the old Athens gasworks, at Pireos 100. The chimneys, warehouses and metal gasholders were kept as they were, and today the venue hosts concerts, exhibitions and festivals all year round. Around it is Gazi, one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in Athens at night, full of bars and restaurants.
The symbol of Technopolis, as seen from Pireos Street.
Ermou Street ends right opposite Technopolis.
The courtyard around it fills with people on festival nights.
The gasholder's frame has stayed as it was when the factory was working.
The Technopolis courtyard lit up, here during a 2017 Christmas event.
Photos: George E. Koronaios, Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0), Georgios Liakopoulos (CC BY-SA 3.0), Wikimedia Commons.
How to get to Technopolis
- Ioulianou 50 → Victoria station: 3 minutes on foot.
- Line 1 (green): towards Piraeus, two stops to Monastiraki.
- Line 3 (blue): one stop to Kerameikos.
- Kerameikos → Technopolis: you come out on Gazi square; the Technopolis entrance is opposite, at Pireos 100, a 2-minute walk.
About 20 minutes in total. Alternatively, Line 1 to Thissio and a 12-minute walk, or a taxi in about 10 minutes. After the last concert, around midnight, the metro is still running; check the time of the last train that evening.
You come out on Gazi square, opposite Technopolis.
Photo: philip.mallis, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
🎷 From Ioulianou 50 to Technopolis
Line 1 to Monastiraki, Line 3 to Kerameikos. Tap Technopolis for the route in Google Maps.
Kathy's tip: bring a light jacket, as late-May evenings get cool, and eat before or after at one of the places in Gazi. If you have children, Sunday morning with «Jazz for Kids» is the best time to come with them.
Frequently asked questions
When is Athens Jazz in 2027?
The dates have not been announced. The festival takes place every year in the last week of May; we expect Monday 24 May to Sunday 30 May (estimate).
Do I pay to get in?
No. All concerts are free, with no booking.
What time do the concerts start?
In 2026 the first concert each night started at 21:00, with the next ones at 22:00 and 23:00.
How do I get to Technopolis?
Line 1 to Monastiraki and Line 3 one stop to Kerameikos. About 20 minutes from Ioulianou 50.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. The venue is open and safe, and in 2026 there were workshops for children on Sunday morning.
— Kathy
