45th Annual Cardiff Greek Festival
September 12-13
The Cardiff Greek Festival returns to North San Diego County on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026. Held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, the two-day festival celebrates Greek food, music, dancing, faith and community.
Visitors can enjoy traditional Greek meals and pastries, live music from The Olympians, folk dance performances, dance lessons, church tours, children’s activities and a marketplace inspired by a traditional Greek bazaar.
Cardiff Greek Festival Schedule Dates and Hours
| Date | Festival Hours |
|---|---|
| Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM |
| Sunday, September 13, 2026 | 11:00 AM–9:00 PM |
The festival takes place across the grounds of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. The event organizers have announced some layout changes for 2026 because of construction on the property, but the main food, music, dancing and cultural experiences will continue.
Cardiff Greek Festival Location
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church
3459 Manchester Avenue
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Phone: 760-942-0920
The church is located near the Manchester Avenue exit from Interstate 5 in the Cardiff and Encinitas area of North County San Diego. Festival entry is accessible through the north end of the adjacent MiraCosta College parking area.
Greek Food and Traditional Dishes
Food is one of the main attractions at the Cardiff Greek Festival. Guests can choose from traditional Greek entrées, grilled meats, vegetarian dishes, appetizers, pastries and coffee.
The festival menu includes lamb shank slowly cooked with herbs and sauce, Greek lemon chicken, pastitsio, spanakopita, tiropita, dolmathes, fasolakia, rice pilaf and Greek salad.
The outdoor grill serves gyros, chicken or pork souvlaki, Greek loukaniko sausage and feta fries. Vegetarian choices include spinach-filled phyllo pie, cheese-filled phyllo triangles, stuffed grape leaves and salads.
Available menu items may vary during the weekend.
Greek Pastries and Coffee
The festival’s Kafenio offers Greek coffee and a large selection of traditional pastries and sweets.
Dessert choices can include:
- Baklava with walnuts and honey syrup
- Loukoumades, also known as Greek honey doughnuts
- Galaktoboureko with custard and phyllo
- Kataifi with shredded pastry, walnuts and honey
- Kourambiethes butter cookies
- Melomakarona honey cookies
- Koulourakia Greek butter cookies
- Karidopita walnut honey cake
- Greek and American coffee
Visitors can also purchase pastry variety boxes while supplies last. The festival does not accept advance pastry orders.
Greek Wine, Beer and Beverages
Festival bars serve Greek wine, Greek beer, domestic beer, ouzo, soft drinks and water.
The event also features Greek wine experiences focused on the country’s vineyards, grape varieties and winemaking traditions. Guests can learn about Greek red, white and dessert wines and how they pair with traditional dishes.
A water refill station is available, and visitors may bring a reusable water bottle.
Live Greek Music
The Olympians perform traditional and modern Greek music on the Taverna Stage throughout the festival weekend.
Their live performances create the atmosphere of a pop-up Greek village and provide music for both scheduled dance presentations and open dancing. Guests are welcome to join the dance floor and take part in the celebration.
Greek Folk Dancing and Lessons
Youth dance groups from the Saints Constantine and Helen community perform traditional Greek folk dances in cultural costumes.
The performances highlight different regional dances and traditions while giving younger parish members an opportunity to share their heritage with festival guests.
Guided dance lessons are also offered during the festival. Visitors can learn several traditional steps before joining the open dance floor and celebrating with an enthusiastic “Opa!”
Church Tours
Father Michael Sitaras leads scheduled tours of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
Church tours are held at:
| Tour | Time |
|---|---|
| First tour | 12:00 PM |
| Second tour | 2:00 PM |
| Third tour | 6:30 PM |
The tours introduce visitors to the Greek Orthodox faith and the church’s Byzantine-inspired design. Guests can view its mosaics, marble work, religious iconography and distinctive golden dome.
Kids’ Activities
The Cardiff Greek Festival is designed as a family-friendly community event.
The Kids’ Zone includes inflatable attractions and face painting. Families can also use the free photo booth, which features props and a Santorini-themed backdrop with a Greek donkey display.
Children under 12 receive free festival admission and do not require a ticket.
Shopping and Greek Products
Festival guests can browse a Greek-style marketplace with specialty products, gifts and cultural items.
A Greek deli also offers Mediterranean foods and pantry products that visitors can take home. Available vendors and merchandise may vary during the weekend.
Admission Information
Children under 12 are admitted free.
First responders, veterans and active-duty military personnel also receive free admission with proper identification. The official festival website provides current adult ticket and presale information.
Free Parking
Free general and accessible parking is available in the adjacent MiraCosta College parking area.
Drivers travelling on Interstate 5 can take the Manchester Avenue exit and travel east approximately one-quarter mile toward the college parking area. Festival entry is located at the north end of the lot, and an accessible ramp is available.
Guests should allow extra time for traffic, parking and walking to the festival entrance, particularly during peak lunch and evening hours.
Animal Policy
Pets are not permitted on the festival grounds.
Only credentialed guide, signal and service dogs that meet applicable legal requirements are allowed. Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the festival policy and are not permitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Cardiff Greek Festival in 2026?
The festival takes place on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026.
What are the Cardiff Greek Festival hours?
The festival is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturday and from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Sunday.
Where is the Cardiff Greek Festival held?
The festival is held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 3459 Manchester Avenue in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.
Is parking available?
Yes. Free general and accessible parking is available at the adjacent MiraCosta College parking area.
Is the Cardiff Greek Festival family-friendly?
Yes. The festival features children’s activities, folk dance performances, live music, food and cultural experiences for families. Children under 12 receive free admission.
What food is served at the festival?
Food choices include lamb shank, Greek chicken, gyros, souvlaki, pastitsio, spanakopita, tiropita, dolmathes, Greek salad, pastries, loukoumades and Greek coffee.
Are there vegetarian options?
Yes. Vegetarian dishes include spanakopita, tiropita, stuffed grape leaves, fasolakia, feta fries, Greek salad and several pastries.
Can visitors tour the church?
Yes. Church tours are scheduled at noon, 2:00 PM and 6:30 PM and include information about the church’s mosaics, iconography, architecture and Greek Orthodox traditions.
Are pets allowed?
No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed. Properly credentialed service dogs are permitted.
Important Festival Information
Festival activities, menu items, entertainment times and ticket availability may change. Visitors should review the official Cardiff Greek Festival website before attending.
The Kids Fun Zone offers games to ensure children enjoy their time as much as the adults. Attendees can take a free photo with the San Diego Padres mascot, Swinging Friar, and the Pad Squad at a photo booth from 1pm to 4pm both days. There is an opportunity to win $10,000 first prize cash and a second prize of $5,000! Only 750 tickets will be sold for $20 each. Father Michael Sitaras, Pastor of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, hosts tours of the church and enlightens guests about the mosaics, iconography, and Byzantine architecture.
Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church welcome the San Diego community to join the celebration at the 45th Annual Cardiff Greek Festival on September 12 and 13. The festival runs from 10am to 10pm on Saturday and from 11am to 9pm on Sunday. The Cardiff Greek Festival received the Best Annual Event/Festival Gold Award for 2026 (2nd consecutive year), and Best Arts and Cultural Event Silver Award in North County.
Attendees can enjoy Hellenic cuisine, entertainment, and hospitality, as the church grounds are transformed with unique cultural elements of Greece. Festival attendees are transported into a quaint Greek village serenaded by the renowned Southern California Greek band, The Olympians. The parish’s youngest members – ages five through high school – perform folk dances in traditional costumes. Attendees can show off fancy footwork, too, and shout “Opa!” with guided dance instruction.
The marketplace simulates a traditional bazaar, featuring Greek imports, pottery, fine jewelry, artwork, Greek deli, and an array of other treasures. Delicious delicacies are available, such as Greek-style roasted lamb shanks and lemon chicken, souvlaki (shish-kabobs), pastitsio (baked layers of macaroni, seasoned meat, cheese, and béchamel sauce), loukaniko (sausage), dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), and gyros. Vegetarian fare includes tiropitas (cheese triangles in filo), spanakopita (spinach pie), feta fries, and Greek salad. The Kafenio (café) boasts mouth-watering Greek pastries and coffee.
The Kids Fun Zone offers games to ensure children enjoy their time as much as the adults. There is an opportunity to win $10,000 first prize cash and a second prize of $5,000! Tickets are $20 each. Father Michael Sitaras, Pastor of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, hosts tours of the church and enlightens guests about the mosaics, iconography, and Byzantine architecture.
Admission is $4 per person. Children under 12, active military, police, and firefighters with ID receive free admission. Free parking is available at the adjacent Mira Costa College. Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is located at 3459 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff. For more information, visit www.cardiffgreekfest.com.
