By mid-morning on Sunday, September 21, the grounds of St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church in Parramatta, Sydney were already bursting with colour and sound.
The chatter of families, the laughter of children queuing for face painting, the clip-clop of donkey rides, and the sizzling aroma of souvlaki set the tone for a day when close to 70,000 people came together for the biggest Let’s Go Greek Festival yet.
Everywhere you looked, there were scenes of joy: toddlers with blue-and-white painted cheeks chasing balloons, teenagers snapping selfies in front of the food stalls, grandparents proudly pointing out traditional costumes, and young adults reconnecting with friends they hadn’t seen since last year’s festival.
“It’s always fantastic. The Greek community is very connected and close – whenever we come to these events, it feels like home,” festivalgoer Dion Omeros said, standing beside Melina Menelaou.
A festival of food and family
With more than 80 food and market stalls, there was no chance of going hungry or missing a cool buy. The day’s most spectacular culinary feat – the preparation of a 500-kilogram gyros, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere – drew huge crowds eager to watch as chefs from Victoria Yeeros carved sizzling layers of meat from the spit.
Loukoumades, honey-drizzled and dusted with cinnamon, were devoured as quickly as they were fried, while tables overflowed with handmade sweets.
Children had their pick of carnival rides, donkey rides, a petting zoo, and craft activities. Volunteers ran face-painting stalls where kids queued to transform into butterflies, superheroes, or to wear the blue-and-white stripes of the Greek flag.
Parents lingered nearby with plates of souvlaki, while grandparents strolled proudly with coffee. It was a festival designed for every generation, and all of them turned up in force.
From tradition to pop stardom on stage
At the heart of the day was a stage alive with tradition and spectacle. The program opened with the St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Parish Choir, whose rendition of the national anthems and hymns filled the precinct with pride.
Then came the dancers:
- St Ioannis Parramatta Greek Junior Dance School & Sutherland Greek Dance School.
- The Hellenic Lyceum Dance Group Sydney.
- Greek Orthodox Community of NSW Dancers.
- Paroula’s Dance Group.
- St Paraskevi Blacktown Greek Dance School.
- Aristotelion Academy of Greek Traditional Dance (Intermediate and Senior Group).
- Pontoxeniteas NSW
- 17-year-old Niko’s spotlight piece “My Zeibekiko Journey.”
- Kalymnian Association of NSW.
- Canberra Hellenic Dancers.
- Sydney Sizmos Greek Dance Company.
Between sets, emcee and Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou kept the crowd engaged, reminding them that “this festival belongs to you – the people.”
As daylight faded, the cultural program gave way to modern sounds. IHO NYX, Maraya Vavasis, Nikita Ellenis, and clarino player Jamison kept the crowd dancing, supported by the ever-popular DJs Georgie D and Jimmy V.
And then, as twilight turned the sky purple, came the headline act: Giannis Ploutarhos, one of Greece’s most beloved singers, performing after his daughter Katerina with his full band flown in from Athens. Thousands pressed towards the stage, singing along word-for-word as phones lit the night. It was a once-in-a-lifetime concert – and Ploutarhos, a clear fan favourite, delivered what many described as the festival’s most unforgettable moment.
Official guests join celebrations
The sheer size of the crowd was matched by the calibre of the official guests who joined in the celebration.
The festival welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, parish clergy, and community leaders, alongside a roll call of political and diplomatic figures: Federal MP Dr Andrew Charlton, NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper, NSW Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis, Shadow Minister Mark Coure, State MP Donna Davis, and Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter.
They were joined by Greek Consul General George Skemperis, Deputy High Commissioner of Cyprus Nikolaos Varellas, councillors from Parramatta, Bayside and Cumberland, President of the St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church Kos Dimitriou, festival organiser John Bris, and Chair of the Greek Festival of Sydney Nia Karteris. Their presence underscored just how significant Let’s Go Greek has become on Sydney’s cultural calendar.
With so many leaders gathered under one roof — political, diplomatic, ecclesiastical, and community — the official speeches on the day carried both weight and warmth.
Words of faith and unity
Archbishop Makarios was the first to speak, offering both blessing and inspiration.
“This event is a witness that we as Greeks and as Orthodox, are united. Whatever we do, we do it with love and faith… The past is not an option for us. We are looking only to the future, and we move forward towards it united, with the blessing of the Church,” he declared.
Consul General Mr Skemperis, who has only been in Australia for a month, charmed the crowd with humour and heart.
“I grew up in Macedonia, Greece, famous for Alexander the Great and the best gyros in the world. If someone told me I’d have to cross an ocean to a place with poisonous snakes and spiders to eat the best gyros of my life, I’d say no way. But here I am!” he joked.
Turning serious, the Consul General urged parents and grandparents to “speak to your grandchildren in Greek at home… do whatever you can to keep the language alive.”
For Deputy High Commissioner Mr Varellas, the festival was about bridge-building: “It gives the opportunity not only to Greeks, but to the broader community, to participate in a festival that showcases all aspects of Greek culture while creating inclusivity across New South Wales.”
Pride in community
NSW Minister Mr Kamper drew cheers when he proclaimed: “Why wouldn’t you want to celebrate being Greek? It’s one of the best things you could have.” He also noted the state government had “doubled support” for the festival.
Shadow Minister Mr Coure echoed the theme: “This seems to be getting bigger and better each and every year. We are lucky in NSW – one of the most multicultural states in one of the most multicultural countries in the world. Communities like the Greek community grow from strength to strength because of events like this.”
Federal MP Mr Charlton hailed the festival as “an absolute institution in Parramatta” after just 11 years: “Eleven years of culture, eleven years of great food, eleven years of faith, eleven years of family.”
Local MP Ms Davis described the parish as a beating heart for the city: “This is a fabulous precinct that celebrates not just on Let’s Go Greek day, but every single day of the year. It’s your community spirit that means so much to Parramatta.”
Lord Mayor Mr Zaiter connected the festival to Parramatta’s wider story: “Parramatta is no longer Sydney’s second CBD. We are Australia’s second global city. The Let’s Go Greek Festival is a shining example of the kind of world-class cultural experiences we want here. Greek culture is woven into the fabric of our city.”
Finally, festival president Mr Dimitriou gave heartfelt thanks: “Your sacrifice and dedication is the heartbeat of this event… Kids, enjoy being Greek for the day.”
Raffle, sponsors and fireworks
Throughout the day, raffle tickets sold fast, offering chances to win $20,000 cash, two return tickets to Greece, jewellery, restaurant vouchers, and more.
The festival flourished thanks to the generous support of the NSW Government, Multicultural NSW, the City of Parramatta Council, and sponsors including Aussie Industries, Greek Law, and Divine Family Funerals.
By 9.30pm, as tired children leaned against parents’ shoulders clutching fairy floss, the sky exploded in a blaze of fireworks, closing the day in spectacular style.
A living legacy
From its beginnings in 2014 to drawing nearly 70,000 people in 2025, the Let’s Go Greek Festival has grown into a living legacy of heritage, faith, and unity.
Children with painted faces, teenagers dancing to DJs, parents sharing souvlaki, grandparents singing along with Ploutarhos – it was a true festival of generations.
That sense of home – in the music, the dancing, the food, and the faces of every generation – is why Parramatta’s Let’s Go Greek Festival has become one of the most beloved multicultural events in the nation.
*All photos copyright The Greek Herald / Andriana Simos
