This spectacular three day Greek Festival will take place at 600 East Boulevard and is a wonderful family event that each year draws more than 45,000 visitors from around the greater Charlotte area. Guests of the festival can plan to enjoy mouthwatering Greek cuisines, tours of the Cathedral, a kids play land, live music with traditional Greek dancing by the youth of our community and much more.
To kick off the start of the festival, the Yiasou Greek Festival 5K took place on Saturday, August 26, 2023, and was presented by Novant Health.
Details of the 2023 Yiasou Greek Festival
Cathedral Tours:
The heart of our Festival is the Cathedral itself. The Cathedral serves as the center foundation of our religious community. Built in 1954, our cathedral consists of beautiful iconography and Byzantine architecture.
*Tours and lectures on the history of their church are given every day, every hour on the hour, except during Choir Performances Saturday 3:00, 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm.
To learn more about the Greek culture and Orthodox faith, visit the Hosanna Bookstore and the Greek cultural exhibits. Here you will learn about Greek art, the Greek language, the traditions and rituals of the Greek people. "The Yiasou Festival provides the opportunity and the means for us to share our rich tradition as Greek-Americans with friends and those who come to honor us and participate in the Festival. We talk about our faith and Church, offer homemade foods and pastries, play our music and perform our dances, as well as display and present our culture and heritage. The many vendors on the grounds are there to help everyone get souvenirs and items for all ages. I thoroughly enjoy myself with this amazing celebration of Ethnic Tradition. The Yiasou Festival affords a way for our hardworking people to share our traditions with a welcoming smile to our honored visitors," adds Rev. Fr. Michael Varvarelis, Dean and Cathedral Priest.
Changing of the Guards-
The Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a popular tourist attraction that still takes place daily at the Parliament Building in Syntagma Square in Athens today. Come be a part of the crowd and witness the reenactment of these carefully selected presidential guards known as Evzones. Their performance is a display of uniquely synchronized movements as well as motionless stances. Evzones dress in traditional costumes that stem from different eras in Greek history. Their white flared sleeved shirts accompany a wool studded vest and pleated kilt or fustanella topped with pom-pom decorated footwear. This performance is both eye catching and sure to draw the attention of crowds of spectators.
Authentic Greek Cuisine-
Come with a big appetite and leave the cooking to them! They have put their heart, soul and favorite Greek seasonings into their many delicious foods prepared just for you. From entrées including: Roasted Lamb, Baked Chicken, Grecian style pizza, Dolmades (grape leaves wrapped around ground beef and rice), Spanakopita (layers of phyllo stuffed with spinach and cheese) Gyros and Souvlaki sandwiches and more, they have something to satisfy any appetite.
With desert on your mind, consider their very famous baklava sundae and the always popular dessert selections including Baklava (layers of nuts and phyllo soaked in honey), Kourambiethes (oval-shaped butter cookies covered with powdered sugar), and much much more! Plan to taste some of Greece's finest wines at the wine tasting booth and enjoy a cold Greek "Frappe" coffee. After all, this is your pass to a Grecian feast!
Greek Grocery Store-
Visit the Bakaliko (Greek grocery store) and purchase Kalamata olives, olive oil and fine cheeses.
Outdoor Drive-Thru Booth-
Don't have time to dine-in, Drive-up and choose from our selection of combination dinner plates, gyro and souvlaki sandwiches, and assorted pastries. This drive-thru is located on Winthrop Avenue between East Boulevard and E. Worthington Avenue. If you're thinking of going through our drive-thru line, print out a menu form from their website. This will help make your drive-thru experience run more efficiently.
Live Music and Dancing-
This year they have a Charlotte based band, Notes Nostalgias, who will entertain you on the indoor stage, performing classic Greek songs.
Holy Trinity's very own youth, ranging from Kindergarten (5 years) to High School, and College (age 25), will perform traditional village dances in their colorful traditional Greek costumes on one indoor stage and two outdoor stages.
*See festival guide for dance times and stage locations.
Choral Performance-
The Holy Trinity Cathedral Centennial Singers will be giving two choral concerts featuring the rich heritage of ancient and modern musical styles of the Greek Orthodox Church. Both concerts will be accompanied by a presentation on the history of Holy Trinity in honor of the Centennial Anniversary of the Cathedral. Holy Trinity's unique Byzantine Choir returns this year.
Centennial Singers Choral Performances: Saturday 3:00 & 4:00 pm
Byzantine Choir Performance: Sunday 1:00 pm
Gift Shops-
There will be a variety of gift shops both inside and outside during the festival. Browse the many beautiful shops offering gold jewelry, costume jewelry, cookbooks, imported clothing, t-shirts, hats, aprons, tote bags, religious items, novelties and Greek Festival souvenirs.
Kid's Play Land-
Complete with rides, inflatables, face painting and more. Don't forget to get some hot popcorn and cotton candy, which supports the Holy Trinity Preschool programs!
Win a Trip for 2 to Greece-
Win a Trip to Greece Raffle- Yiasou Festival visitors can take a chance at winning two-round trip tickets from Charlotte to Athens, Greece, compliments of Showmars Restaurant. Raffle tickets are $2 each, $5 for three and $10 for 10.
General Information:
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral- 600 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28203.
Festival Hours:
Sep 8 - 10, 2023:
Friday (09/08): 11am - 10pm
Saturday (09/09): 11am - 10pm
Sunday (09/10): 11am - 6pm
Festival admission is $5.00. Children 12 and under are admitted free, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Trend Magazine Onlinetm hope your visit to the Yiasou (Hello, Goodbye, Cheers) Greek Festival is fun, festive and full of Greek cheer!
For any additional questions, please contact:
The Festival Directly via Email or telephone (704) 334-4771.
Join Us on our QCT Charlotte Daily City Toursm which travels past the festival!
Voted Best International Festival and continuing the tradition that is now in its 45th year, we welcome you to Charlotte's annual Yiasou Greek Festival! With the hospitable nature that Greeks are known for, it is with great pleasure and excitement that we invite you to experience our Greek culture Friday September 8th through Sunday September 10th (Or 2nd weekend in September) on the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
