The Best Greek Festivals and Celebrations in New Jersey
This is Your Guide To The Best Greek Festivals. They Feature New Jersey's Popular Greek Fests, Celebrations, and Orthodox Church Public Events
Greek festivals in New Jersey are usually organized by either a Greek Orthodox church with a large following or a Greek community service organization with an interest in promoting their culture and providing knowledge and stories for future generations to benefit from.
Greek Festivals typically have a religious underpinning and are apt to create celebrations that follow the Greek Orthodox calendar.
These Greek Celebrations typically include a taste of Greek Culture with Greek food, live music, traditional Greek Folk Dancing and hospitality. and Church tours.
Greek Festivals typically run for three to four days around a summer weekend and in addition to promoting the Greek culture, they raise money to support many worthwhile charitable causes.
At this time, and until further notice, COVID-19 executive orders in effect apply to large public gatherings such as concerts, festivals, and fireworks.
Some outdoor recreational areas and businesses have been able to restart their operations. These include;
Beaches, State and Municipal Parks, and recreational campgrounds are open for passive recreation, including fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, jogging, biking, birding, horseback riding, and more.
Atlantic City's casinos will be able to reopen July 2 at 25% capacity.
Playgrounds and outdoor amusement parks, water parks, and arcades in the Garden State can also reopen on July 2. Parks
and boardwalk rides will be limited to 50% of typical guest capacity
and must enforce social-distancing rules on rides and in lines. Face coverings for guests and staff are required
Currently most public gatherings are limited: Indoor gatherings are limited to 25% capacity of the rooms in which they will take place, with a maximum of 100 persons. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 500 persons.
Restaurants are open for outdoor dining only. Indoor dining has been postponed until further notice
With near term cancellations occurring at a rapid rate, and despite trying to remove them as soon as we learn of the cancellations or restrictions, we recommend viewers contact the event sponsors before heading out to a listed event to confirm their status.
2020 Greek Festivals and Events
June 12, 13, 14, 2020
St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church
1447 Sussex Turnpike
Randolph, NJ
973-584-0388
Website
Experience a 'little bit' of Greece featuring artistic talents in music, dancing and handicrafts made by Greeks. Cooks and bakers prepare a variety of traditional Greek dishes in the same manner as their mothers and grandmothers did. The St. Andrew dance troupe that entertains audiences each year is comprised of dedicated youth and the Greek community who seek to preserve the character and ties to Greek culture. During the festival, guests tour the church and see the craftsmanship and intricate work in colorful icons and wood carvings, and colorful glass windows.
Friday, June 12, Saturday, June 13, , & Sunday, June 14, 2020; (Friday, 11:30am - 2:00pm (luncheon) 5:00pm - 11:00pm (main); Saturday, 1:00pm - 11:00pm, & Sunday, 12:00pm - 8:00pm)
818 Valley Road
Clifton, NJ 07013
Website
(973) 779-2626
Experience the wonderful sights, sounds, and delicious smells that beckon us to a beautiful place far warmer than it is here now. This year's festival will again feature authentic Greek food, live entertainment including Bouzouki music and the color and pageantry of Greek folk dancing, a host of activities for our children, shops offering many beautiful Greek items, and tours of the church showcasing an up-close look at the Byzantine style iconography and hand carved alter facade that were imported from Greece over 40 years ago as well as an opportunity to learn more about the Orthodox life and faith.
September 11, 12, 13, 2020; (Rain or shine)
St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church
85 Vorhees Corner Road
Flemington, NJ
info@opafestival.com
Website
Enjoy Greek food, shopping, fun, and entertainment. Guests can dine indoors or outside under the tent, enjoying classic oven baked items and popular grill selections such as souvlaki and gyros. Greek pastries, coffee, wine and beer also available. All can enjoy carnival games, shopping, and folk dancing entertainment. Among the many charities supported, this year the parish is also fundraising to support the building of the St. Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero. Parking is free.
September 11, 12, 13, 2020
Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church
20 Hillcrest Road
Holmdel NJ
Website
(732) 739-1515
kimisisfestival@gmail.com
Enjoy a taste of Greek Culture with Greek food, pastry, specialty items, folk dancing, music, rides, games, and prizes. Some of the mouth-watering gourmet menu items include traditional lamb shanks, pastitsio, moussaka, cheese and spinach pies (tiropites and spanakopites) and so much more! Festival goers can also enjoy a gyro, or souvlaki, in a pita or on the stick. Among the selection of traditional homemade pastries are baklava, diples, loukoumades (honey puffs) and also new dessert items baklava sundaes and ouzo cake. All items are available for take-out. Complimenting the food is the culture of Greece. Festival goers will have the chance to partake in and also watch traditional Greek folk dances that are performed by costumed children from the various Kimisis dance groups. Music and entertainment is presented all weekend long. Free parking is provided at the St. Benedict's Catholic Church, a half mile from Kimisis Tis Theotokou, and a free shuttle transports visitors to the festival. On-site parking is available for visitors who need easy access to the festival.
September 24, 25, 26, 27, 2020
1101 River Road
Piscataway, NJ
732-463-1642
stgeorge@gocnj.org
Website
This annual event attracts thousands of people each year who come to enjoy a taste of Greek culture with homemade Greek food, live music, traditional Greek Folk Dancing, and Church tours.
During the Festival, our community showcases their Greek spirit by providing the surrounding towns with an event filled with delicious food, live entertainment, and dancing. Free parking and shuttle service is available at the Church and Rutgers Stadium.
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