Entertainment
13 June, 2026
Greek Festival a smashing hit once again
LARGE crowds turned out for the Cairns Greek Festival at Redlynch on 7 June, with visitors enjoying a full day of food, music, dancing and cultural celebrations.
The annual event transformed the grounds at St John’s Community Care into what organisers described as a vibrant slice of Greece, with picturesque gardens and the Byzantine church providing the backdrop for the festivities.
Festivalgoers were greeted by traditional Greek food, sweets and coffee, alongside live music and dance performances throughout the day.
Entertainment included Greek music and dance, belly dancing, multicultural performances and interactive demonstrations. A special attraction this year was the Cypriot Dance Group from Brisbane, which showcased traditional costumes and dance performances reflecting generations of Cypriot culture.
Live Greek music was provided by Mihali and Nick, featuring the distinctive sound of the bouzouki. Performances by the Redlynch State College choir were also well received by the audience.
Families gathered picnic-style across the grounds, sharing food and enjoying the festival atmosphere. Children took part in activities and competitions, while adults joined Zorba dance lessons, plate-smashing, honey-puff eating challenges, olive-spitting competitions, and cooking demonstrations.
Church tours remained one of the festival’s most popular attractions, offering visitors the opportunity to view Byzantine icons and learn more about the church’s spiritual significance. Nearby, Greek women prepared fresh honey puffs, a tradition that attracted steady crowds throughout the day.
To assist visitors, organisers provided an all-day shuttle bus service from Lutheran College and Redlynch State School, helping ease parking pressures and improve access to the event.
Favourable winter weather helped maintain strong attendance from morning through to the afternoon as visitors continued to eat, dance and celebrate.
