About the Festival
Greek food, hospitality, and faith in downtown Birmingham
Welcome!
Dear Visitor,
On behalf of the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Birmingham, I would like to warmly welcome you to the Annual Birmingham Greek Festival.
The Greek (or Hellenic) Community of Birmingham is proud to share its Greek culture, heritage, faith tradition, and cuisine with you. Each year we offer this celebration to approximately 30,000 visitors, so that together we in Birmingham can experience a heritage that is not only historically important, but also a culture that celebrates life.
Greece, of course, has a rich pre-Christian history that includes the great epics of Homer and the philosophy of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. This was the birthplace of Christianity in Europe, when Paul planted some of the earliest Christian communities in Thessalonica and Corinth, which have existed uninterrupted for the last 2000 years. All of this history and heritage is given form—takes on "flesh and bones"—in the rich sights, sounds, and taste of this culture that you will experience in your visit today.
Of course, Greek or Hellenistic culture has never been reserved only for people of a certain DNA. Beginning especially with Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, Hellenism was the ecumenical or universal culture for most of the known Western world, spreading as far as India in the east. The same is true today. Our community and church is home to Greeks and people from all nations. Everyone is welcome to join us!
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank the members of our Greek Orthodox Community who have worked tirelessly for many months to put together this year's Greek Festival. Their hard work is inspired by their love for their Church and their desire to share their lives, culture, and faith with the Birmingham Community.
Please feel free to ask me or any of our members for help during your visit.
We thank you and the entire city of Birmingham for your ongoing support. As a token of our appreciation, we annually donate a portion of the proceeds to local (as well as national) charities.
May God bless you and your families, and I pray that your time with us is enjoyable and edifying.
Sincerely,
Fr. Gregory Edwards
Dean of the Cathedral
The Parishioners Behind the Festival
Parishioners prepare the food, serve the meals, and teach the dances.
Baklava trays, gyros, pastries, and dance rehearsals take months of work at Holy Trinity–Holy Cross — parish families, longtime volunteers, and younger members working beside them. The Ladies Philoptochos Society began this festival in 1972; the parish still runs the kitchen and the grounds each year.
Our History
Begun in 1972 by the Ladies Philoptochos Society, the Birmingham Greek Festival has grown into one of Birmingham's longest-running Greek festivals.
For over 50 years, the parishioners of Holy Trinity–Holy Cross Cathedral have prepared and served authentic Greek meals, performed traditional dances, and welcomed more than 30,000 visitors each year for Greek food, dancing, music, and cathedral tours.
The festival grew from parish family life, Orthodox faith, and Greek cooking — an act of love from our community to yours.
Our Mission & Impact
Our mission is to share Greek culture and the Orthodox Christian faith while giving back to the Birmingham community.
Since its founding, the Birmingham Greek Festival has donated over $3 million to local and national nonprofits. Thanks to your support, we have helped organizations including:
Recent Beneficiaries
- •Firehouse Shelter
- •First Light
- •Urban Ministry
- •Children's of Alabama
- •Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama
- •Magic Moments
- •The Exceptional Foundation
- •Safe House
- •Folds of Honor
- •The Bell Center
- •Pathways
- •The WellHouse
- •MS Society
- •Alzheimer's of Central Alabama
- •Family Connection
- •Jimmie Hale Mission
- •AHEPA 3 Charities
- •Magic City Harvest
and many more
2026 charity recipients will be announced soon.
About the Cathedral
Founded in 1906, Holy Trinity–Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral is one of the oldest Greek Orthodox parishes in the Southeast.
The Cathedral's Byzantine-style interior is open during the festival for self-guided tours, with parishioners available to answer questions about the Orthodox faith.
