The countdown is officially on for Melbourne’s most iconic Greek street festival, with the full performance program for Antipodes Festival 2026 now released ahead of its return to Lonsdale Street on Saturday, February 28 and Sunday, March 1.
Marking its 38th year, the free, two-day festival will once again transform the heart of Melbourne’s Greek Precinct into a vibrant celebration of Hellenic culture, food, music, dance and community spirit, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across Victoria and beyond.
First held in 1987 as a continuation of Greek Cultural Week, Antipodes has grown into one of Melbourne’s most beloved multicultural events, showcasing the enduring presence and cultural contribution of the Greek community in Australia.
Organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne, the festival blends tradition with contemporary expression, offering something for all ages and backgrounds.
With the program now confirmed, festival-goers can look forward to multiple stages across Lonsdale Street, featuring a packed schedule of performances spanning traditional folk dance, contemporary Greek music, community ensembles, school groups and headline acts.
From energetic Pontian and Cretan dance troupes to modern Greek performers and crowd-favourite competitions such as Zorba ’Til You Drop, the weekend promises non-stop entertainment.
Food remains at the heart of the Antipodes experience, with classic souvlaki, gyros, loukoumades, Greek coffee and sweets lining the street alongside market stalls offering handmade crafts, jewellery and cultural merchandise.
Family-friendly programming, cooking demonstrations and interactive activities ensure the festival remains accessible and welcoming to all generations.
Ioulia Karapataki to headline Saturday night
One of the highlights of the 2026 program is the appearance of acclaimed Greek singer Ioulia Karapataki, who will headline the Bank of Sydney Main Stage on Saturday, February 28.
Fresh from a standout Greek summer, Karapataki arrives in Melbourne following the enormous success of Το Γλέντι (To Glenti), a modern festival anthem that dominated airwaves and social media across Greece. Known for performances that blur the line between concert and celebration, her sound blends contemporary Greek music with deep folk roots, creating high-energy, communal experiences designed for open-air festival crowds.
Antipodes Festival 2026 – Official Program
Saturday, February 28 – Bank of Sydney Stage (Main Stage)
- 1:00pm – Sophia Ventoris School of Greek Dance
- 1:15pm – Zorba ’Til You Drop
- 2:00pm – Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts of the Archdiocese of Melbourne (joint with Kogarah School of Greek Dancing, Sydney)
- 2:30pm – Flambouro Philanthropic Society of South Australia
- 3:00pm – Hellenic Dancers – Hobart
- 3:30pm – Pontian Association of Melbourne “Panagia Soumela”
- 4:05pm – Canberra Hellenic Dancers
- 4:30pm – O Periklis
- 5:40pm – Dance with Alki
- 5:55pm – Florina Aristotelis Dance Group (Seniors & Intermediates)
- 6:35pm – Greek Lyceum of SA School of Greek Dance and Culture
- 7:00pm – Central Pontian Association of Melbourne & Victoria “Pontiaki Estia” (Seniors)
- 7:50pm – Greek Orthodox Community of SA Dance Academy
- 8:10pm – GCM Dance Group
- Evening Headliner – Ioulia Karapataki
Saturday, February 28 – A&A Holdings Stage
- 12:15pm – O Periklis (Intermediates)
- 12:30pm – Zorba ’Til You Drop
- 1:15pm – Macedonian Halkina Brass Band Stageshow
- 2:15pm – Mavrothalassites Youth Ensemble – Pontiaki Estia Melbourne
- 3:15pm – Kaliopi Stavropoulos
- 4:15pm – Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne (Intermediates)
- 4:50pm – Epidexia
- 5:45pm – Opa Opa
- 6:30pm – Kaliroy – K Studios School of Greek Singing & Performance
- 7:45pm – Δημοτική & Λαϊκή Παρέα
- 8:45pm – Cypriot Style Entertainment
- 9:45pm – Nico Entertainment
Saturday, February 28 – #LoveLonsdale Stage
- 11:00am – Cooking Demonstration
- 11:45am – Oakleigh Grammar Middle & Senior Dancing Group
- 12:05pm – Cooking Demonstration
- 12:50pm – DanceIt Fitness
- 1:10pm – Cooking Demonstration
- 2:20pm – Cooking Demonstration
- 3:15pm – Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts of the Archdiocese of Melbourne (Teens)
- 3:45pm – Smoking Figs
- 4:45pm – Gales Back
- 5:30pm – Pancretan Association Pre-Senior Dance Group
- 6:00pm – Nugas Dance Group
- 6:30pm – Antonis Pitsokos, Anastasis Karamintzas & Harrison Giavris
- 7:15pm – Halkinades
- 8:30pm – Demotika
- 9:30pm – Nikos Pontikakis, Giannis Spinthakis & Charalampos Vagionakis
Sunday, March 1 – Bank of Sydney Stage
- 11:00am – Rythmos DJ Set
- 11:40am – Kalymnian Dance Group
- 1:30pm – Alphington Grammar School Greek Band
- 2:15pm – GCM Greek School Dance Group
- 3:15pm – Chora Dance Academy
- 3:45pm – Akrites Tou Pontou
- 4:15pm – Messinian Dance School of SA
- 4:45pm – Ipirotiki Compania
- 5:50pm – Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne (Seniors & Intermediates)
- 6:20pm – Pegasus Dance Academy (Seniors)
- 6:50pm – Mavrothalassites – Pontiaki Estia
- 7:45pm – GCM Dance Group
- 8:15pm – Apostolis Kasparidis
- Finale – Konstantina Touni
Sunday, March 1 – A&A Holdings Stage
- 11:00am – Melbourne Bellydance
- 11:30am – St John’s Folk Band – Paradosi
- 12:05pm – Florina Aristotelis Dance Group (Juniors)
- 12:35pm – Pontian Association of Melbourne “Panagia Soumela” (Juniors)
- 1:05pm – Pegasus Dance Academy (Juniors)
- 1:40pm – Pancretan Association (Juniors)
- 2:15pm – Central Pontian Association of Melbourne & Victoria “Pontiaki Estia” (Juniors)
- 2:55pm – St John’s College Performing Group
- 3:30pm – Cretan Brotherhood of Melbourne (Juniors)
- 3:50pm – Pegasus Dance Academy (Intermediate)
- 4:25pm – Lefteris Christofis Trio – A Mediterranean Jazz Odyssey
- 5:15pm – Cyprus Community of Melbourne & Victoria
- 5:45pm – Anastasios Theofanous
- 6:45pm – Omados
- 7:45pm – Nisiotika – Traditional Greek Island Music
- 8:45pm – Dio Patrides Band
Sunday, March 1 – #LoveLonsdale Stage
- 11:00am – Cooking Demonstration 1
- 12:00pm – Cooking Demonstration 2
- 12:45pm – Hellenic School of Dance, Culture, Music and Arts of the Archdiocese of Melbourne – Children’s Group
- 12:55pm – Cooking Demonstration 3
- 2:30pm – Cooking Demonstration 4
- 3:30pm – Valia Gianinska
- 4:00pm – Florina Aristotelis Dance Group – Veterans
- 4:25pm – Greek Orthodox Community of SA
- 5:00pm – Nestoras College Music Students Tribute to Achillea
- 5:35pm – Central Pontian Association of Melbourne & Victoria “Pontiaki Estia” (Intermediates)
- 6:15pm – Trio Petra
- 7:45pm – Estudiantina of Melbourne
- 8:45pm – DJ Set
