The Grecian Festival in Albuquerque takes place the first weekend of October. It’s also the first weekend of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, so you can make a real party of it and get a flavor of the many cultures in our city. Albuquerque has 56 different countries and ethnic groups represented in the city, so you can find everything from Asian markets to Mediterranean spice stores, Thai restaurants to Buddhist temples.
Find out about the many other festivals and events in Albuquerque throughout the year on our Albuquerque Attractions page. For much more on things to do in Albuquerque, download our free vacation guide to help plan your perfect trip to Albuquerque.
the Grecian Festival in Albuquerque
where and when
The Grecian Festival is held on the first weekend in October at St. George Greek Orthodox Church at 308 High Street SE in Albuquerque. The festival goes pretty much all day and well into the evening on Friday and Saturday. It ends at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Plan to go early and spend at least several hours. This is a popular festival and the lines can be long but they move quickly.
eat some Greek food–Opa!
The focal point of this festival is the food, and they do it right! To keep the food lines going quickly, buy tickets upon admission for anything you wish to purchase. Expect all of the classic Greek foods–souvlaki, spanakopita, gyros, rice pilaf, those wonderful potato wedges with the Greek spices, Greek salad, and more. Beverages include sodas and water, as well as ouzo, Greek wine and Greek draft beer. Pick up drinks on the way to your table and wait for the dancing to begin.
join in the dancing
In the huge tent, sit at tables or on the bleachers to watch a variety of traditional Greek dances. The live band on the stage keeps the music going throughout the day and long into the evening. Watch spectacular dancers in regional Greek costumes doing various demonstration dances, then jump in when they call “everybody dance!” The fancy footwork is intricate, complex and quite amazing.
take a tour of St. George Greek Orthodox Church
This beautiful church is open to the public for tours during the festival. Look for incredible mosaics on the walls and a spectacular altar area. The large church grounds are equipped with plenty of seating for everyone. Before leaving, take a selfie at the photo op. During the Grecian Festival, everyone gets to be Greek!
shop in the Greek marketplace
Look for Greek food including olives and cheese, and spices, and be sure to take home some baklava. You can buy Greek books and jewelry, religious icons, clothing and artifacts, as well as fine art.
where to stay when you attend the Grecian Festival
Stay at the Bottger Mansion of Old Town Bed & Breakfast! It’s centrally located in Albuquerque, right in Old Town. With over 100 shops, galleries, restaurants, and museums in the Old Town historic district, there’s plenty to do when you’re not at the Grecian Festival in Albuquerque. Our city is incredibly busy in October, so make your reservations early! We look forward to hosting your stay.
