Festivals & Events
Myrtle Beach Greek Festival Preview
The Greek Festival is one of the best times of the year for Myrtle Beach residents and visitors! Everyone looks forward to this four-day event filled with the most authentic Greek foods and entertainment around. Cookies, salads, pastries, breads, gyros and even more Greek fare will fill you to the brim.
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church on the corner of Hwy 17 Bypass and 33rd Avenue N hosts this tasty annual tradition. This year’s festival will take place Oct 10th – Oct 13th, 2024.
Thousands attend the festival to see live entertainment featuring traditional Greek music and dancing, to shop at the many vendors as well as a gift shop and coffee room, and take a tour of the beautiful facility.
But the big draw is the food, and there’s lots of it. Booths prepare Greek classics such as gyros, roasted lamb, Spanikopita, Mousaka and Greek salad. Homemade Greek breads and pastries are for sale, as are a wide range of soft drinks, beer and Greek wines.
There’s also plenty to keep the children involved, including a play area, arts and crafts and other activities. A raffle and other fund-raising events will feature prizes donated to the church’s charity work.
Event Details
Dates/Hours
The event will take place Oct 10-13, 2024 from 11am to 9pm Thu-Sat and 12pm to 7pm on Sunday.
Admission
Entrance into the festival is free for kids 10 and under and $3 for everyone older than 10.
Parking
Free parking is available at Captain George’s Seafood Buffet. A shuttle will run between there and the festival every 10 minutes. Limited handicap parking is available in the church parking lot.
Food Guide
The Greek Festival is full of entertainment and vendors, but food is definitely the main event for most fans. The options can be as overwhelming as they are delicious, so we put together this handy guide to the Greek treats you’ll want to explore.
Hungry patrons can start at the St. John’s Fellowship Hall, located just past the main entrance to the Greek festival. It is home to many of the main dishes of the event. Limited seating is available as is Greek beer and wine. You’ll pass the desserts on the way, and you’ll want to make a stop on your way out!
Greek main dishes
Gyro – The traditional gyro includes a mixture of lamb and beef in a warm pita bread with tomato, onions and Tzatziki sauce (a delicious combo of cucumber, yogurt and garlic). You can also order a gyro with chicken instead of the lamb and beef.
Mousaka – This filling casserole features eggplant with ground beef, cheese and potatoes topped with a cream sauce.
Pastichio – This baked pasta dish includes layers of macaroni, ground beef and cheese seasoned with nutmeg and cinnamon. It is topped with a cream sauce.
Greek salad – If you’re looking for lighter fare, try a Greek salad. Served either with or without chicken, the salad includes iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onions and feta cheese with an oil-based Greek dressing. The salads are served with warm pita bread.
Souvlaki – This freshly grilled pork tenderloin is served on skewers. Follow your nose to the grill outside of the main building at the Greek Festival.
Locanica – Greek sausage flavored with orange and served with onions on a roll.
Greek side dishes
Spanikopita – Triangles of spinach pie baked in phyllo dough with feta cheese, cream cheese, egg and herbs.
Tiropita – Triangle of cheese pie baked in phyllo dough with feta, cream cheese and eggs.
Roasted Greek potatoes – Tender roasted potatoes flavored with lemon juice, olive oil and oregano.
Dolmathes – Rice and meat rolled in grape leaves.
Greek desserts
Baklava – A flaky pastry with layers of crushed walnuts, almonds and butter topped with spiced honey. Variations at the Greek festival include baklava drizzled with chocolate and baklava sundaes.
Loukoumades – Fried donut holes topped with spiced honey syrup, cinnamon and powdered sugar. Find these made to order in a vendor tent at the festival. A serving includes enough to share.
Diples – Crisp pastry dipped in honey and topped with cinnamon.
Kourambiethes – Similar to Italian wedding cookies, these are simple butter cookies covered with confectioners sugar.
Melomakorona – These egg-shaped cookies — a popular Christmas treat — are topped with spiced honey and walnuts.
Kok – A greek cream puff made with sweet butter, custard and whipped cream, topped with chocolate.
