The Grecian spirit will be brought to life again at the 33rd annual Wilmington Greek Festival, held at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church from May 16 to 18.

“The Wilmington Greek Festival is a celebration of centuries of music, food and faith,” said Lee King, this year’s festival co-chair and senior vice president of ClinChoice. “From dancers to sweet pastries to Mediterranean spirits, we have something for everyone at the festival.”

The festival celebrates a Greek community with a rich heritage in Wilmington, where some families have called the Port City home for over 100 years.

The first official Wilmington Greek Festival was established 32 years ago when church members Basile Katsikis and John Saris proposed creating an annual festival to support church fundraising efforts, inspired by similar events they had experienced at parishes up north, King said.

After much discussion, it was agreed that the festival should be more than just a traditional plated dinner fundraiser. Thus, the Wilmington Greek Festival was born, designed to bring the community together to celebrate Greek food, music, culture and the Orthodox faith.

In its early years, the festival occurred the week after Labor Day. However, when Hurricane Fran struck in 1996, the festival became a way to support first responders involved in recovery efforts. In 1998, the festival was rescheduled to its current dates, which usually fall on the weekend after Mother’s Day each year.

Around 2015, former festival chairman Katsikis came up with the idea of implementing a drive-thru as an option for the elderly, the handicapped and those who simply wanted a quick, convenient meal. According to a previous Business Journal article, Katsikis also proposed that a drive-thru could be useful should inclement weather arise.

In 2020 when the global COVID pandemic hit the area, the Wilmington Greek Festival was rescheduled to October as a drive-thru-only festival.

According to King, the festival typically attracts 6,000-7,000 people, and an average of 2,500 cars use the drive-thru.

“For the ancient Greeks, hospitality, or philoxenia, was considered a sacred duty, and it is that same spirit that fuels us here at Saint Nicholas,” said Steven Klund, pastor of Saint Nicholas.

Some new vendors are joining the festival this year, including Samarian Gifts, Greek Shops of North Carolina, Rich Gecko Home Fashions and The Olive Oil Connection. The market is open all hours of the festival, giving attendees the opportunity to shop for imported Greek food items, handmade crafts, jewelry and religious items.

Front Street Brewery has also created a new heather ale named “Tomb Rocker,” which will be the festival’s official craft beer. A new drink called the “Santorini Sunrise” will also be introduced as this year’s official cocktail. It is made with ouzo and offers a refreshing burst of citrus and island charm, King said.

A portion of this year’s festival’s proceeds will support the Good Shepherd Center and the Bread for Life Senior Pantry.

“Bring the whole family and help support food-based charities here in the Cape Fear region,” said King.

Attendees can enjoy authentic Greek dishes such as roast lamb, pastitsio, moussaka, dolmades, loukoumades, spanakopita, Greek salads and gyros while watching performances by award-winning Hellenic dance troupes. The band Lazaros will provide live traditional and popular Greek music.

Greek cooking demonstrations will take place at 4:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The church sanctuary will be open for visitors to explore anytime during the festival. In addition, the church offers special group presentations about the church and the traditions of Orthodox Christianity.

The festival will be held on the church grounds located at 608 S. College Road. It will take place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on May 16 and 17, and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 18. No pets are allowed.

There is no need to pre-order food. Attendees can use the drive-thru, which will be open from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Free parking is available at the University of North Carolina Wilmington auxiliary lot behind Taco Bell on College Road. A free shuttle service will take attendees to the festival.
 

Want to go?

When: The 33rd Wilmington Greek Festival runs May 16-18, starting at 11 a.m. May 16
Where: Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 608 S. College Road
Admission: $5; free before 5 p.m. May 16 and free for children ages 12 and under
Info: stnicholaswilmington.org/greek-fest-2025