Athens’ Landmark Lykavittos Theater Reopens in September with Concert

Lycabettus open air theater in Athens. Photo source: Lycabettus hill.

The iconic Lykavittos open-air theater atop Lycabettus Hill in central Athens, reopens on September 15 with a concert by Greek composer Stavros Xarchakos.

The 3,000-seat Lykavittos Theater opens after major upgrade works carried out by the Municipality of Athens. The theater will make its ‘debut’ with the Xarchakos concert at 9pm officially launching the “new era” for the “Municipal Lykavittos Theater” with this year’s program titled “Celebration for Lykavittos” featuring singers Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Manolis Mitsias, Iro Saia, and Zacharias Karounis.

The theater, which has hosted some of the world’s and Greece’s greatest stars, including Peter Gabriel, Moby, James Brown, Tito Puente, Jethro Tull, Radiohead, as well as Mikis Theodorakis, Haris Alexiou, and Pyx Lax, remained closed for 15 years due to safety hazard.

Greek composer Stavros Xarchakos. Photo source: Municipality of Athens

The overhaul of the venue was decided in 2021, when management of Lycabettus Hill was handed over to the  municipal authority which announced a 1.5-million-euro revamp program to be funded by the European Investment Bank. Works included the reconstruction and reopening of the theater, maintenance of the hill’s trails and footpaths, anti-flooding and anti-corrosion works, lighting and road upgrades with the use of sustainable materials.

“I am especially pleased that the refurbished theater will be delivered to the residents and visitors of Athens with a wonderful festival. Returning from our holidays, the [Lykavittos Theater] festival will welcome us with a series of magical evenings,” said Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis.