Greek food, live music, rides and more. Bring your family to become “Greek for a day” and also help support Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.
Enjoy incredible Greek food, music, dancing and rides. The festival is FREE for the entire family. People visit from miles around to taste the famous Greek chicken, delicious gyros and homemade Greek desserts. A FREE family festival.
There’s a reason why Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church has been putting on its annual Greek Fest for more than 50 years. Milwaukeeans can’t get enough gyros, lamb and chicken roasted on a spit. Throw in some family fun and carnival rides, and it’s a party!
One regular visitor describes the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s annual festival as “the biggest Greek restaurant in the city.” Gyros, chicken dinners and baklava are the featured attractions at this festival, which operated for 40 years in the shadow of Annunciation, Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic architectural marvel on the Northwest Side. Although it no longer provides a backdrop for the proceedings, Annunciation is never far from the thoughts of long-time festival goers.
It’s well-known that if you want great lamb, you’ve got to get to Greek Fest early. But why wouldn’t you want to? You can also try the delicious shish kebabs, Ouzo lemonade for the adults and pastries like koulouria, kourambiethes and loukoumades (deep fried dough balls drizzled in honey).
There is also Greek music and dancing, rides, children’s games, a Greek market and more!
Where: Wisconsin State Fair Park
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
MILWAUKEE GREEK FEST 2017 FAQ
Friday June 23 11am-11pm
American Band: 4 on the Floor
Greek Music 1-10pm
Greek dancing kids 6pm Adults group 7pm
Sat. June 24 11am-11pm
Amer. Band: Vintage Groove (afternoon), Liam Ford band (evening)
Greek Music 1-4pm, Live Greek band 4pm-11pm
Greek Dancing kids 4pm/6pm, adults 5pm/7pm
Sun. June 25 11am-9pm
American band: Miller Rhythm and Brews band
Greek Music 1-4pm, Live Greek Band 4pm-11pm
Greek dancing kids 4pm/6pm, adults 5pm/7pm
Admission: Free. Parking is $5.
Highlights: The move from the Annunciation grounds to State Fair allowed festival organizers to expand the midway, which is a hit with kids. Unlimited carnival rides are available from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. all weekend with the purchase of a daily $20 wristband. Single ride tickets are also available. The traditional dancing is popular, as well. The biggest draw at this festival, though, is the food. The gyros are a staple, along with chicken dinners and pastry. And don’t forget the traditional Greek music all weekend long!
The annual festival previously operated in the shadow of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic architectural marvel on the Northwest Side. During the 1950s, Milwaukee’s Greek Orthodox congregation lobbied Wright to design the new church. Wright designed the church, which he called “Little Sofia” after the Hagia Sofia Greek Orthodox church in Constantinopolis.
Though Wright died before the groundbreaking at 91st Street and Congress, the church was built according to his drawings and has been a beacon for architecture students and Wright aficionados since opening in 1961.
The traditional performances are popular, but the biggest draw at this festival is the food. The Friday fish fry is a staple, along with authentic Greek chicken, souvlaki, gyros, saganaki, lamb dinners and pastries.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
9400 West Congress Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53225
Phone (414) 461-9400 www.annunciationwi.org