The 38th Annual Galveston Greek Festival 2022 celebrates Hellenism with food, wine, pastries, and dancing. Presented by The Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Two full days of Opa! and YaSou!, the event features authentic food prepared on-site, Greek wines, Greek beer, bouzouki, a Greek DJ, dancing, vendors, gifts, and tours of the Church.

Father Stelios Sitaras, their parish priest, will conduct educational tours of the church. The public is invited to attend Divine Liturgy on Sunday, at 9 am. The Service is approximately one hour in length.

Galveston Greek Festival – A Brief History

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IT ALL STARTED WHEN…The first Greek immigrants to arrive in Galveston worshiped with the Serbians and Russians at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Church. These brave people who were to become the nucleus of the present colony of Greek-Americans, deserve our highest praises for their courage not only in coming to a new land, but also for their dedication to their faith, their high hopes for the future, and for surviving in the face of all the problems that confronted them during those difficult first years on foreign soil.

The 2021 Greek Festival chair is Mary Jo Naschke. The event promises a rich cultural experience at an event that features the best in food, drink, entertainment, and history. A celebration of Hellenism, the Greek Festival is designed to welcome visitors to a community steeped in tradition and brimming with hospitality.

Galveston Greek Festival 2022 – Food & Drinks

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The experience starts at the festival entrance, where you’re met by the pleasant aroma of home-baked pastries and the animated voices of new and old acquaintances looking for unusual gifts. You start to detect the tempting aromas of typical Greek street food, such as souvlaki (shish kabob) and gyros (beef and lamb served in pita), which are cooked over coals and served ala carte with fresh pita bread in the shade of the tent in the backyard.

To complete your sensory experience, make a brief visit to the beverage booth where you may choose from Greek Wines, Greek Beer, Soft Drinks, and Water. A full Greek dinner, including Pastitsio (baked pasta with beef), Tiropites (cheese puff triangles), Spanakopita (spinach triangles), Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), Keftedes (meatballs), and Greek Salad with Olives and Feta, is available for $24 per plate. The cost of à la carte souvlaki or gyros and desserts like loukomades and baklava ranges from $2 to $16. Tickets are available in $2 increments and can be redeemed for food and drinks. Although there is no entrance price, donations are much appreciated.

Visit the Loukoumades Booth outside where bakers make your dessert to order while you watch after enjoying the dance and delicious meal. Kids of all ages love this sin-on-a-dish, which is the Greek equivalent of beignets. Loukoumades is a delicacy that should not be missed. It can be served with powdered sugar, honey, or both. Before leaving, don’t forget to stop by the Pastry Booth inside the Community Center for a variety of treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth for days after the event!

It is possible to purchase Baklava (phyllo dough with a honey nut filling), Melomakarona (spiced honey cookies with walnuts), Kourambiedes (shortbread cookies), Kouroulakia (twisted butter cookies), Paximadia (spiced biscotti), and Karidopita (walnut cake) by the piece or in a variety of boxes.

Believe that at the Galveston Greek Festival, nobody ever goes home hungry!

Galveston Greek Festival 2022 – Events, Entertainment & Shopping

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Souvenirs and merchandise from Greece are hand-selected for the Galveston Greek Festival. Icons, jewelry, Greek Christmas ornaments, soaps, gift boxes, and much more make for unique gift-giving. Grocery items like olive oil, olives, pasta, and other imported canned goods will be available too. Since supplies are limited, don’t hesitate to make your purchase right away!

Bouzouki and DJ entertainment is under the tent out back.

As you know, Greeks have a passion for line dancing that goes back more than two millennia. That’s why we’re going to encourage you to dance too. It’s not only a great way to digest your meal and stay fit, but also a great opportunity to make new friends with the people whose hands you’re holding while repeating the ‘step, kick, step, kick’ of the Bouzouki Beat.