The 42nd Horto Festival returns this year with a rich summer program of music, theater, choral and educational workshops, concerts and experiential activities for all ages. Horto is a place that has been associated with creativity, artistic inspiration and cultural activity for over 70 years and this year the tradition continues. Once again, between late June to the end of October this year, Horto becomes a place where well-known Greek and international artists and the public can meet and where innovative, experiential and entertaining events are presented in the Open Air Theatre.
June 28 – July 5 In the Safety of Violence theater workshop
with director, choreographer and actor Sanja Krsmanovic Tasic
July 1 Psarogiorgis in Horto concert by Giorgos Xylouris together with Andreas Arvanitis: lyra and ascomandoura (traditional Cretan bagpipe), Angelina Klavdianou: lafta and Yiannis Zannis: tabla
July 4 Paths Between Horizons final performance of the theater workshop
July 17 – 26 Flute, Bassoon and Piano time music seminar with daily individual, group lessons and concerts
July 18 Chamber Music for two flutes and a piano
with Nikolos Dimopoulos and Giorgos Tsiardakas: flute, Dimitris Dimopoulos: piano
July 25 Final Concert of the “Flute, Bassoon and Piano” seminar
July 27 – 31 School Choir Experiential Workshop under the guidance of Maria Emma Meligopoulos
August 1 Apokopos concert to music by Natalia Kotsani and Tasos Kofodimou
with Ross Daly: lyra and Vangelis Zografos: double bass
August 1 – 4 Jam in Horto a jazz improvisation workshop under the guidance of Stathis Anninos
August 5 – 18 Cinema in the Garden with selected films and documentaries
in collaboration with the CINOBO platform and independent producers
August 8 Eternal Women – The First Look concert with Efthychia Mitritsa: voice, Takis Farazis: piano
August 12 Lost in Daydreaming concert with Maria Thoidou: vocals, Barbara Sauter: violin/vocals, Haris G. Kavalieratos: guitar, Michalis Poulakis: double bass
August 20 Recital concert with Nikos Spanos: countertenor, Anastasios Strikos: piano, Giorgos Tsiardakas: flute
August 22 Plaza Ensemble and Elsa Mouratidou film music, tango and Greek art song with Elsa Mouratidou: voice, Thanasis Bililis: piano, Akis Archontis: violin, Kostas Tsougras: accordion, Yiannis Polymeneris: double bass and mandolin
August 22-24 Masterclass of lyrical singing and piano accompaniment
with countertenor Nikos Spanos and conductor Anastasios Strikos
August 29 The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady the music of Charles Mingus with the Fables of Mingus Ensemble under the direction of Martin Zenker
August 30 – September 6 Hortus Canticus 2026 choral course with maestro Philipp Amelung, the Camerata Vocalis of the University of Tübingen and a section of the Yannis Mantakas Choir of the Aristotle University.
September 5 Final Concert of the Hortus Canticus 2026 choral course
September 6-13 What Moves Me theater workshop for participants aged 50+ with director, choreographer and actress Sanja Krsmanovic Tasic
September 12 Final Performance of the theater workshop
September 19 Trio Orpheus concert with Apostolis Mitras: violin, Irini Barouta: cello, Panos Galanopoulos: piano
September 24 – 27 Early Music Workshop with Johanna Seitz, harp, basso continuo – Elisabeth Seitz, psaltery – Jörg Meder, viola da gamba, violone
September 27 Final Concert of the Early Music Workshop
October 2-4 Choral Group Meeting with guest conductor Tasos Tataroglou of “ElGreChor”
October 10 ExSilentio concert with Bilini-Moraitis: vocals/ viol/ percussion, Dimitris Kountouras: medieval flutes, Electra Miliadou: viol
October 24: Chamber Music Concert featuring works by Beethoven and Brahms with Maria Efstratiadi (piano), Vanessa Athanasiou (violin), Elli Filippou (cello)
All events take place at the Horto Open-Air Theatre or the George Hadjinikos Hall in Horto. For start times, tickets, and further information, please visit www.horto.net Advance tickets are available 10 days before ticketed events from more.com and one hour before the concert at the venue entrance.
This year’s festival is being supported by the Municipality of South Pelion and the Ministry of Culture. The Fables of Mingus Ensemble and Hortus Canticus 2026 choral course are sponsored respectively through a Goethe Institute grant and the Hellenic-German Youth Foundation and the concert entitled ‘Recital’ by the Austrian Embassy in Athens.