Cardiff Greek Festival: A Weekend of Greek Food, Music, and Dancing by the Sea
Opa! For one weekend, Cardiff-by-the-Sea turns into a little slice of Greece — souvlaki, honey-soaked pastries, live music, and line dancing at the Greek Orthodox church. September 12–13.
Overview
Once a year, the coast at Cardiff-by-the-Sea fills with the smell of grilling souvlaki and the sound of bouzouki music, and the whole community comes together to celebrate Greek culture. The Cardiff Greek Festival takes over Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church for two full days of authentic food, traditional music, and spirited dancing — and it happens Saturday and Sunday, September 12–13, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
It's the kind of warm, welcoming, all-ages event that's as much about community as it is about the food (though the food is very much the point). Fill up on gyros and honey-soaked pastries, browse the vendors, watch the dancers, and don't be surprised if you get pulled into a line dance yourself. It's a genuine taste of Greece right here in Encinitas.
What You Actually Need to Know
- Event: Cardiff Greek Festival
- Dates: Saturday & Sunday, September 12–13, 2026, 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
- Where: Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Cardiff-by-the-Sea (Encinitas)
- Admission: Kids under 12 free; first responders, veterans, and active military free with ID [CONFIRM general admission price]
- Good to know: Only credentialed service dogs are allowed on the grounds — leave other pets at home
- Info: cardiffgreekfestival.com
What to Expect
The heart of it is the food — this is a festival you come hungry to. Expect Greek classics done right: souvlaki, gyros, and a table's worth of honey-soaked pastries like baklava, plus more traditional dishes to work through across two days. Wash it down and settle in, because there's plenty to do:
- Live traditional music filling the grounds all day
- Spirited Greek dancing — folk and line dances you can watch or, better, join
- Vendors and marketplace stalls to browse between bites
- A warm, welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that's pure Greek hospitality
It's relaxed, joyful, and easy to spend a whole afternoon at — wander, eat, watch the dancing, and soak up the culture.
Good to Know
- Come hungry — the food is the main event, so pace yourself across the savory and the sweet
- Kids under 12 are free, making it an easy, affordable family outing
- First responders, veterans, and active military get in free with ID — thank you for your service
- Service dogs only — only credentialed service animals are allowed on the grounds
- Join the dancing — you don't need to know the steps; that's half the fun
- Bring a little cash for vendors and pastries, and plan for parking or rideshare, as church-lot space is limited during a festival
However you celebrate it, the Cardiff Greek Festival is one of the most joyful, delicious weekends on the North County calendar. Opa! For more happening around the county, browse our full event calendar, or explore more of Encinitas.
