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, 2024, and was presented by Novant Health. 🏥
Details of the 2024 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, the cathedral boasts beautiful iconography and stunning Byzantine architecture. 🏛️ It stands as a beacon of faith and tradition, drawing visitors from near and far. 🌟 Be sure to take in the rich history and spiritual significance during your visit. 🕯️ The warmth and spirit of the community come alive in this sacred space. 🙏 Each corner tells a story of devotion and heritage, making it a must-see for festival-goers. 🌟 Don't miss the opportunity to witness the intricate details and craftsmanship that have been preserved through the decades. ✨ The cathedral’s grandeur is a testament to the enduring faith and unity of our community. 💒
To learn more about the Greek culture and Orthodox faith, visit the Hosanna Bookstore and the Greek cultural exhibits. 📚 Here, you’ll discover Greek art, the Greek language, and the rich traditions and rituals of the Greek people. 🎨💬 "The Yiasou Festival provides an opportunity for us to share our rich tradition as Greek-Americans with friends and those who come to honor us. We talk about our faith, offer homemade foods and pastries, play our music, and perform our dances, while proudly displaying our culture and heritage." 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 dessert 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 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 delicious Kalamata olives, olive oil, and fine cheeses. 🧀
Outdoor Drive-Thru Booth-
🚗 Don't have time to dine-in?
Drive-up and choose from their 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 the drive-thru line, print out a menu form from their website. This will help make your drive-thru experience run more efficiently. 📝
✨ The drive-thru offers a quick and easy way to enjoy your favorite Greek dishes without leaving your car. 🚙 Whether you're in the mood for a classic gyro or craving some baklava, they’ve got you covered. 🍴 Don't forget to grab some extra pastries for later—they're perfect for sharing (or not)! 🎁 Experience the flavors of Greece, even on the go! 🇬🇷
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 Singers will be giving two choral concerts, showcasing 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 Cathedral's Centennial Anniversary. 🎼 Holy Trinity's unique Byzantine Choir returns this year for another captivating performance. 🕊️
2024 Holy Trinity Cathedral Singers: Saturday, September 7, 2024, 3:00 & 4:00 pm ⏰
2024 Byzantine Choir Performance: Sunday, September 8, 2024, 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 unique Greek Festival souvenirs. 🎨
Kid's Play Land-
🎡 Complete with rides, inflatables, face painting, and more. 🎨 Don’t forget to grab 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, 2024:
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!
#CharlotteNC #TravelEvent #GreekCuisine #CulturalCelebration #GreekHeritage #AnnualFestival #ExploreCharlotte #TrendMagazineOnline
Voted Best International Festival 🏆 and continuing the tradition that is now in its 46th 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 6th through Sunday, September 8th (Or 2nd weekend in September) on the grounds of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. ⛪
