One of Houston’s most beloved cultural celebrations is back for three days of food, dance, shopping, and family fun.

The Original Greek Festival returns this weekend, Thursday, October 6 through Saturday, October 8, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral for an astounding 55th year.

More than 35,000 Houstonians are expected to pack the church’s complex to devour the famed and authentic, homemade Greek food, take in traditional dance performances, and — also a crowd favorite — lots of shopping.

Ahhh, baklava...

Arguably the biggest festival draw is the enormous food spread, all of which is prepared by Annunciation Greek Orthodox clergy members and much of coming from generations-long family recipes. Expect souvlaki (marinated seasoned beef cubes), tiropita (a triangular shaped cheese-filled puff pastry), spanakopita (tubular shaped spinach and cheese filled puff pastry), and dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with beef and rice).

Greek sweets include flaky baklava (nuts and spices layered in phyllo with honey syrup), kourambiedes (butter cookies with toasted almonds topped with powdered sugar), and loukoumades (hot honey puffs) made to order.

Authentic Greek beer Fix Hellas, imported Greek wine, and a variety of domestic beers will refresh those strolling the food offerings.

Song and dance

Visitors clamor to watch a variety of traditional Greek dance performances by groups of adults and children. Musician Alex Kalos — known as “The Golden Greek” — will perform, where fans can practice or learn Greek dance. Young fans can check out the children’s activities area, the Athenian Playground.

All about the agora

Shoppers, once full on food and properly refreshed, always stop by the festival shop (agora) to peruse the veritable feast of jewelry, clothing, cookbooks, icons, and religious items. Purists can find imported olive oil, popular Greek grocery store items, and even olive trees.

Keeping the faith

Fittingly for the venue, the festival offers cathedral tours, hosted by cathedral clergy who will explain the symbolism represented in the Byzantine style and the new hand-painted iconography in the cathedral.

Here’s a rundown of the festivities:

Thursday, October 6
5 pm – 10:30 pm
Dance program begins at 6 pm

Friday, October 7
11 am – 10:30 pm
Dance program begins at 6 pm

Saturday, October 8
11am – 10:30 pm
Children’s dance program begins at 11:30 am
Adult dance program begins at 5 pm

Festival tickets are $5 for adults, with children under 12 admitted free; free admission between 11 am-3 pm on Friday.

Fans can rest assured their money is going to a good cause: a portion of ticket proceeds benefit the Children’s Assessment Center, Harris County Sheriff's Office, S.E.A.R.C.H., the Covenant House, and more.

Consider this family fest a chance to celebrate Greek friends and neighbors, one of the biggest Greek communities in the U.S., and of course, a chance to scarf down all the souvlaki and baklava.

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