The festival day by day
Friday, September 18 (19:30 – 22:15):
The historic city of Corfu turns into a large open-air music stage. From the squares and historic landmarks of the Old Town to the grand international parade, the philharmonics and musical ensembles of Corfu meet musicians from Greece and abroad in a celebration of culture, music, and international cooperation.
Saturday, September 19 (20:30):
The main artistic event of the festival (Grand Festival Event) at the Lower Square (Kato Plateia) of Corfu, featuring music, dance, and choral ensembles, specialized formation displays, the joint performance of the city’s three historic philharmonic societies, and the participation of the Corfu Choirs Association.
International Marching Bands Festival of the Ionian Islands 2026
music • culture • tradition • international cooperation • peace
GUEST STAR: AL BANO
SPECIAL PARTICIPATION: FOTEINI DARRA
CORFU CHOIRS ASSOCIATION
Creative Direction / Event Design / Composition of Musical Themes:
THANOS GEORGOULAS (Artistic Director of A.O.P.I.N. S.A.)
⏰ Start time: 19:30
⏰ End time: 21:00
📍 Venue: Historic Center of Corfu
The first phase of events brings the musical heart of the Festival into the historic center of Corfu.
Musical ensembles from the city’s historic Philharmonics, as well as the Anemomylos Mixed Choir “Thomas Flagginis”, will present short artistic programs at selected spots around the old town.
This initiative aims to create a vibrant, polyphonic musical experience, where different musical ensembles coexist within the historic urban fabric of Corfu.
Annunziata Square
Saint Spyridon Square (Plakado)
Kofineta
Liston
Pentofanaro
Mantzaros Philharmonic Society (Participating with two distinct musical ensembles):
Woodwind and brass ensemble directed by Dimitris Argyros named “Jazz on the move”
Percussion ensemble directed by Spyros Aspiotis named “Drum line on the road”
Philharmonic Society of Corfu – Old: Represented by the Bandina (60-70 young musicians); the 15-minute musical program will feature works by Manos Hatzidakis, Giorgos Katsaros, and Yannis Markopoulos. The Bandina will be conducted by Assistant Conductor Spyros Kakarougas.
Anemomylos Mixed Choir “Thomas Flagginis”: The choral ensemble will perform well-known pieces from the Heptanesian tradition under the direction of Andreas Gousis.
Municipal Philharmonic of Zakynthos, D.E. Artemision: Will perform pieces from the Zakynthian tradition. The band is conducted by Maestro Dionysis Mallias.
Indicative performance duration for each ensemble: 12–15 minutes.
Performances will take place with organized rotation of the musical ensembles across the selected spots, creating a continuous musical presence in different locations of the historic center.
(18/9 | 19:30 – 21:00)
ANNUNZIATA
19:30 — Philharmonic Society of Corfu – Old (Bandina)
20:00 — Mantzaros Philharmonic Society (JazzontheMove / DrumLineontheRoad — Alternating every 15 mins)
SAINT SPYRIDON PLAKADO
19:30 — Mantzaros Philharmonic Society (Jazz on the Move / Drum Line on the Road — Alternating every 15 mins)
20:00 — Philharmonic Society of Corfu – Old (Bandina)
20:30 — Choral Ensemble from Anemomylos Mixed Choir “Thomas Flagginis” (Accompanied by instruments)
LISTON
20:30 — Philharmonic Society of Corfu – Old (Bandina)
KOFINETA
19:30 — Municipal Philharmonic of Zakynthos – Artemision
20:30 — Mantzaros Philharmonic Society (Jazz on the Move / Drum Line on the Road — Alternating every 15 mins)
PENTOFANARO
20:00 — Choral Ensemble from Anemomylos Mixed Choir “Thomas Flagginis” (Accompanied by instruments)
20:30 — Municipal Philharmonic of Zakynthos – Artemision
⏰ Start time: 21:00
⏰ End time: 22:15
Upon completion of the first phase, the music moves to the streets of the city.
The International Parade of Local and Guest Musical Groups will cross the historic center of Corfu, connecting local philharmonics with guest musical ensembles from Greece and abroad.
The grand parade will feature musical groups from Corfu, Zakynthos, Italy, Serbia, Ukraine, and Poland, creating a unique international musical gathering in the heart of the city.
Local Philharmonics of Corfu:
Gastouri Philharmonic of Corfu «Omonia»
Philharmonic of Sinarades, Corfu
Guest Philharmonics – Musical Groups:
Fanfara of Bedizzole: Bersaglieri (ITALY)
Police Orchestra of the City of Belgrade (SERBIA)
Representative Orchestra of the Border Guard (POLAND)
Crazy drummers: A project by Studio-117 (UKRAINE)
Philharmonics of Zakynthos (Three Philharmonics from Zakynthos):
Municipal Philharmonic of Zakynthos, D.E. Artemision
Municipal Philharmonic of Zakynthos, D.E. Alykes
Municipal Philharmonic of Zakynthos, D.E. Zakynthion
📍 Starting point: Spilia – Agios Antonios
🗺️ Route: Nikiforou Theotoki ➔ Liston ➔ Right turn onto Evgeniou Voulgarews ➔ Georgiou Theotoki ➔ Municipal Theatre Pedestrian Street
🏁 Finish point: Municipal Theatre Pedestrian Street
Route Duration: The estimated route duration for each musical group is approximately 12–15 minutes.
Sequential Starts: To ensure smooth parade flow and prevent overcrowding, musical groups will start every five (5) minutes.
Sequential starting intervals allow for sufficient spacing between participants while providing a continuous flow of music along the entire route and an enhanced experience for the public.
Grand Presentation of Music, Dance, and Choral Ensembles
📍 Venue: Specially designated area – Lower Square (Kato Plateia), Corfu
⏰ Start time: 20:30
The second day forms the central artistic event of the festival, featuring musical, dance, and choral ensembles.
The event will take place in a specially arranged space at the Lower Square of Corfu, with organized infrastructure for welcoming the public and staging the artistic groups.
The venue will feature all necessary infrastructure for a complete presentation of the artistic program, including suitable sound and lighting coverage as well as spectator grandstands.
Formations & Movement: Musical groups opting for march formations and organized choreography will be allocated strictly: 10 minutes.
Standard Parade: Musical groups opting for a simple musical parade within the designated area without formations will be allocated: 5 minutes.
Strict adherence to allocated times is essential for the smooth operation and precise timing of the overall artistic program.
The order of appearance of the philharmonics will follow chronological order of foundation, as indicated on the official poster and event material.
Presentations will proceed from the newest to the oldest philharmonic, based on its founding year.
This sequence highlights the historical trajectory and evolution of the philharmonic tradition, with special emphasis on the unique musical heritage of the Ionian Islands.
Musical groups will present organized formations (Tattoo) and movement displays. A special dance performance will be presented by the Niki Giannou Dance School dedicated to World Peace.
A key highlight of the artistic program will be the joint performance of the three historic philharmonics of Corfu town:
Philharmonic Union of Corfu «Kapodistrias»
Mantzaros Philharmonic Society
Philharmonic Society of Corfu – Old
The three historic philharmonics will perform and parade together in a symbolic moment of the festival, highlighting Corfu’s unique musical heritage and the enduring contribution of the philharmonic tradition to the cultural identity of the Ionian Islands.
Special mention goes to the CORFU CHOIRS ASSOCIATION, participating with all choral ensembles of the island to perform two pieces: an arrangement of “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven, and a new piece together with world-renowned Italian tenor AL BANO and special participation by FOTEINI DARRA.
Music • Culture • Tradition • International Cooperation • Peace
#moments 2025
