Entertainment
25 May, 2025
It’s just like visiting Greece
PREPARE to be transported to Greece for a day when the annual Cairns Greek Festival takes you on another journey of delicious cuisine, tradition and entertainment this June.
With a history of over three decades, the Cairns Greek Festival by the St John’s Greek Orthodox Parish, is a feast of the senses for Far North Queenslanders looking to get immersed into Greek culture and cuisine.
The event, which atracts more than 5000 people every year, is returning on Sunday, June 8 with lots of classic features that the community knows and loves, like the olive spitting and honey puff eating contest and new cuisine elements.
The festival begins at 10am and finishes at 3pm and entry is free with a gold coin donation at 450-462 Kamerunga Road in Redlynch next to St John’s Parish Church.
Festival coordinator Effie Bacalakis said there was a jam-packed program perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
“This year in the entertainment program we’ve got Mel Lathouras and Kat Manolatos from Brisbane. They’re seasoned performers from Girl From Greece, which is going to be fun to see,” she said.
“We’ve got the Cypriot dance group returning and we’ve got Alistair McLeod from Master Chef doing a cooking demonstration showcasing the flavours of Greece.
“Our very popular competitions are coming back – the olive spitting and the honey puff eating competitions – which the kids really enjoy and people also enjoy seeing how the women cook the puffs.
“In our food area this year we’re introducing haloumi cheese wraps as well.”
Ms Bacalakis said it was a fun day out where you could learn about Greek culture.
“It’s a great family day. Last year we had over 7000 people coming through and every year the festival grows and grows,” Mrs Bacalakis said.
“It’s been 32 years and people keep coming back. We started over at the Esplanade and then we moved to the beautiful church grounds.
“This is a taste of Greek culture, people will feel as if they’re in Greece, join in the Zorba dancing and it’s lots of fun and it keeps growing with the Cairns community.
“We get so much enjoyment of running this event, seeing everybody have fun and engage the whole community with Greek culture.”
“Also a tip for everyone coming, I recommend carpooling so they don’t have to worry about parking or take an Uber.”
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