Nashville Greek Festival 2024 in Tennessee

The annual Nashville Greek Festival takes place during a weekend in September at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Thousands of visitors can try world-famous Greek foods, enjoy traditional dancing and signing, interact with the local Greek diaspora and celebrate the vibrant culture of Greece in the good old South.

Greek Food & Beverages

The main allure of the festival is most definitely its impressive selection of mouth-watering Greek food. With a bountiful of Mediterranean flavors, the use of olive oil, and aromatic herbs, the cuisine of the Hellenic Republic captivates thousands worldwide. At the Nashville Greek Festival, you'll have a chance to taste numerous delights, including moussaka, gyros, dolmades, baklava, spanakopita, loukoumades, and kourabiedes. To sate your thirst, sample some Greek coffee or beer, and of course, don't forget to raise a glass of delightful Greek wine.

Entertainment Events & Activities

Each day of the festival includes ensembles celebrating Greek heritage with colorful folk dances, Tsamikos, Kalamatianos, and many others, and performances on bouzouki, a long-necked lute, originating from Greece. Dance troupes perform in traditional costumes, showcasing the beauty of Greek national clothing. Consider staying away from food closer to the evening since you'll have a chance to participate in the dances yourself and experience the vibrant Mediterranean culture firsthand.

Holy Trinity church will also be open for educational tours and lectures about the Orthodox faith and the local Greek community. Dozens of vendors at the Nashville Greek Festival offer a variety of art and craft items, including jewelry, Greek clothing, paintings, ceramics, icons, copper, books, leather goods, and other souvenirs.

Schedule & Admission

The festival welcomes new visitors from 4 pm until 9 pm on Friday, from 10 am until 9 pm on Saturday, and from 11 am until 9 pm on Sunday. Admission to the fest costs $5 for the whole weekend. If you're attending with children under 12 years old, they can enter for free. First responders have free admission if they provide valid identification.

History of the Festival

The first Greek festival in Nashville was hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in 1987. Since then, it has become one of the most popular ethnic festivals in the city. The current home of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was completed in 1992, but the Greek-American community started bonding together and attempting to establish their cultural hub long before that, at the beginning of 20th century. The Nashville Greek Festival is a celebration of Greek religious and cultural customs.