Festival shifts to August to sidestep FIFA World Cup
The long‑running Surrey Greek Food Festival, usually held in June, will instead take place this year from Saturday, Aug. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 23 at the North Surrey corner of 132 Street and 96 Avenue. Organisers said the move was driven by concerns about the timing and costs of staging the event during the FIFA World Cup.
John Kantarakias, a festival planner, said the committee feared competing with global soccer coverage and the logistical pressures that come with a major sporting event. "We were afraid to compete against FIFA... we decided to do it in August this year," he said.
"We were afraid to compete against FIFA (World Cup soccer tournament) and what costs would be to run the festival during that time."
What visitors can expect
The site will be covered by big tents and set up with seating for 600 people. There will be an entertainment stage, raffle draws and a market selling merchandise. Organisers have retained the popular drive‑through and online ordering options introduced during the pandemic to speed service for patrons on the go.
- Festival dates: Aug. 15–23 (drive‑through service begins Friday, Aug. 14)
- Seating capacity: tables and chairs for 600
- Entertainment: live Greek band and dance on weekends; DJs on weekdays
- Ordering: online pre‑orders via surreygreekfoodfest.com and a drive‑through pick‑up lane
Organisers stressed that the drive‑through has become a fixture since the pandemic. "We somewhat perfected it last year... our first crack at this, believe it or not, was during COVID when the festival turned only into a drive‑through then," Kantarakias said, noting the convenience for those not dining at the site.
Food, music and community purpose
The menu highlights traditional Greek festival fare. Among offerings are plates of pork and chicken souvlaki, fire‑roasted lamb, calamari, spanakopita, Greek salad and several dessert options. A two‑skewer souvlaki plate with sides is listed at $25. Other items include pita with hummus and tzatziki, oven‑roasted potatoes and loukoumades.
The festival is run by volunteers as a fundraiser for Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church and its community programs. As with previous years, performances and Greek dancing will be a central attraction on weekend evenings with music continuing until about 10 p.m., while weekday programming features a DJ.
| Festival hours | Times |
|---|---|
| Weekdays | 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Weekends | Noon to 10 p.m. |
For many Surrey residents, the festival is both a cultural touchstone and a neighbourhood event that brings together volunteers, families and visitors from across the region. The decision to reposition the dates highlights how international events can ripple into local planning — from volunteer schedules to traffic and vendor logistics.
Organisers noted that offering pick‑up and to‑go service helps manage long lines and serves customers who prefer to eat elsewhere. "People can pre‑order, come pick it up. They don’t have to wait in line... We actually serve them from the alleyway, bags of food ready to go," Kantarakias said, describing the efficient system now in place.
Residents planning to attend should allow for increased activity at the event site during the festival week, especially on weekend evenings when live music and dancing are scheduled. The festival’s website offers details on menus, online ordering and volunteer opportunities.
Where: Corner of 132 Street and 96 Avenue, North Surrey
When: Aug. 15–23 (drive‑through begins Aug. 14)
Hours: Weekdays 4–10 p.m.; weekends noon–10 p.m.
