Ancient temples, archaeological sites and museums across Greece will open their doors after sunset on Friday, August 28, offering visitors a rare chance to experience the country’s cultural heritage under the light of the August full moon.
The annual celebration returns for its 27th year, with 126 archaeological sites, monuments, historic places and museums across Greece taking part with free admission. But the programme goes beyond simply opening historic sites at night.
Of the 126 participating locations, 61 will host special cultural events, including concerts, theatre performances, dance, exhibitions and guided tours. A further 65 sites will remain open for free evening visits, generally from around 7:30–8:00 PM until 11:00 PM or midnight, depending on the location.
Concerts and cultural events at historic sites
Some of the most interesting parts of this year’s programme bring well-known Greek artists and cultural performances into historic settings.
Among the highlights are:
- Manolis Mitsias & Giota Negka in Concert — Archaeological Site of Malia, Crete, from around 8:30–9:00 PM.
- Christos Thivaios — Acropolis of Megalo Gardiki in Epirus, from 9:00 PM.
- Elli Paspala — Ottoman Fortress of Sigri, Lesvos, from around 8:30–9:00 PM.
- When Mikis Theodorakis Met Nikos Kazantzakis — Archaeological Site of Abdera, Xanthi, at 8:30 PM.
- Rita Antonopoulou — A musical tribute to Mikroutsikos and Theodorakis at the Archaeological Site of Plevrona.
These are just some of the events included in the wider nationwide programme, which is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in cooperation with local authorities and cultural organisations.
Ancient Olympia, Delphi and other iconic sites after dark
For travellers who would rather explore Greece’s archaeological heritage at their own pace, several major sites will simply open for evening visits with free admission.
Ancient Olympia will welcome visitors from around 8:00 PM until midnight, while Delphi will remain open until midnight. Mystras, the UNESCO-listed Byzantine city near Sparta, will combine evening access with a musical event.
Other participating locations include the Archaeological Museum of Rhodes and Ancient Corinth, giving visitors the opportunity to see some of Greece’s most important historic sites in a completely different atmosphere.
The Acropolis Museum is also extending its opening hours on August 28 and will remain open continuously from 9:00 AM until midnight. Admission is with the museum’s standard ticket, although its temporary exhibition Inspirations: Ancient Greek Art Living in Italy will be free to visit that day.
The celebration continues beyond August 28
The August Full Moon programme is not limited to the main celebration on Friday.
Additional events are scheduled for August 26, 27, 29 and 30, turning the occasion into several days of cultural activity across Greece.
For travellers visiting Greece at the end of August, this offers an opportunity to add something different to a summer itinerary. Instead of exploring an archaeological site during the heat of the day, visitors can experience ancient ruins, historic monuments and museums after sunset, with the August moon providing the backdrop.
With events taking place from Crete and the Dodecanese to Epirus, the Peloponnese and Northern Greece, the celebration offers plenty of reasons to spend one summer evening discovering a different side of Greece.
Opening hours and individual event details vary by location, and the Ministry of Culture notes that the programme may be updated. Visitors are therefore advised to check the latest information before visiting their chosen site.
