The beloved Paniyiri is one of the longest running cultural festivals in Queensland, celebrating decades of Greek tradition and heritage since 1976. The vibrant weekend-long festival takes attendees on a tour of the rich culinary and cultural world of Greece. Each year offers a host of cultural performances, cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, traditional Hellenic dancing, market stalls and, of course, mountains of glorious Greek food. 

Follow your nose through the festival’s market-style food stalls representing 11 different Greek regions. Salivate as you watch succulent souvla being barbecued slowly over coal, sip on Greek wine, eye off slabs of sweet baklava and savour golden, fluffy honey puffs (loukoumades). Brisbane is invited to BYO picnic rug and appetite and settle in on the grass for the fun-filled day of deliciousness. 

The stage is stacked with plenty of performances as well to keep you thoroughly entertained as you feast on glorious Greek fare, drinks and treats. The festival’s 2024 entertainment program is headlined by a pop-up Greek Village where visitors can experience the sweet Greek life without needing their passport, as well as The Hellenic Dancers. As Brisbane’s first Greek dance club, this group was formed as part of Paniyiri 1977 and continues today to showcase this celebrated cultural tradition. There will also be – as always – carnival games and rides as well as fireworks to finish the night. 

Paniyiri takes place on Saturday May 18 and Sunday May 19, 2024, at Musgrave Park in South Brisbane. Tickets are available now! Head to the festival website to purchase.

To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.