The Athens State Orchestra Christmas Gala
The Athens State Orchestra Christmas Gala is an annual orchestral gala held in late December at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall, Athens. The 2026 edition is scheduled for late December at the Christos Lambrakis Hall, under artistic director Loukas Karytinos.
The Athens State Orchestra Christmas Gala is an annual orchestral concert series presented in late December at the Christos Lambrakis Hall of the Megaron Athens Concert Hall. Greece’s oldest orchestra, the Athens State Orchestra descends from the Athens Conservatory’s symphony orchestra of the late nineteenth century and was formally established on 28 February 1943. It has been led since October 2020 by artistic director Loukas Karytinos.
The gala has held its late-December date across editions, with programmes that range from bel canto and operetta to orchestral miniatures drawn from concert and film music. George Petrou conducted the 2018 edition, Byron Fidetzis the 2022, and Alexandros Myrat the 2025 — titled Around the World in 80 (and a Few) Minutes, given on 29 and 30 December with five soloists. The specific programme and conductor for the 2026 edition are announced as part of the Megaron’s seasonal programming.