The Greek Festival

The Greek Festival is a highly anticipated annual celebration of Greek culture within Birmingham. This year was the 49th year of the Festival. The Festival is three days long and is hosted by the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral, the seventh-oldest Greek Orthodox parish in the United States. The Cathedral was chartered in 1906, and not only is it the seventh oldest in the United States, but it is also the fourth oldest in the southeast. Self-guided tours of the church are available on all three days of the Festival. Visitors can go in and explore the beautiful and inspiring interior. The Festival allows free admission, and they provide seating, entertainment, and tons of authentic cuisine.

The biggest crowd pleaser of the Festival is by far the food. They use the freshest and finest ingredients available to make their delicious cuisine, including gyros, dolmades, spanakopita, and so much more. All entrees and pastries are homemade, which is how they have been for the past forty-eight years! Some desserts and pastries at the Festival are baklavas, melomakarona, and much more. The food is so popular that they even created a convenient drive-through that allows customers to arrive and remain in their vehicles with no call ahead needed. Customers can drive up and be greeted by the welcoming servers that will deliver to their car.

The Greek Community of Birmingham shares its heritage, culture, faith, and cuisine with the city of Birmingham annually through the Greek Festival, which receives approximately 30,000 visitors annually. You will hear and dance along with Greek music while enjoying authentic Greek food. In the middle of the Festival, there is a stage where Greek community members are performing. Greek dancers of all age groups perform on all three days of the Festival. Most are unaware that some Vestavia Hills High School students participate in these yearly performances. At the Festival, you can also visit the Greek Market Place, where you can purchase Mediterranean and Orthodox Christian souvenirs. Since 1972, the Greek Festival has had a major impact on many charitable organizations. The Festival has donated great portions of its proceeds, which have been over three million dollars, to local and national charities. In recent years the Festival has donated to Magic Moments, The Greater Birmingham Ministries, Alzheimer's of Central Alabama, and many others. The 2022 Greek Festival worked with charities such as Children's of Alabama and the Ronald McDonald House Charities. It was sponsored by nine organizations and companies, including Coca-Cola, 20 Midtown, Jones McLeod, and more.

The Greek Festival is one of the most loved events in Birmingham that is known for bringing out community together and allowing guests to experience different cultures. It provides a positive and welcoming environment for the whole community.