Opa! Be Greek on July 28 and 29th

Santa Barbara Greek Festival

11 am - 7 pm

Oak Park

for directions to Oak Park, click here:

Santa Barbara's 38th Annual Greek Festival

Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2011

Santa Barbara's Annual Greek Festival is taking place from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31, 2011 in beautiful Oak Park. The festival evokes the sights, sounds and tastes that define the traditional Greek way of life. Stroll through Santa Barbara's beautiful Oak Park, and experience the simple pleasures of life in a Greek village.

Dozens of volunteers enthusiastically staff their booths, creating a convivial, welcoming atmosphere. Festival-goers return year after year for the food. — Delectable festival favorites like gyros and moussaka. And no Greek village would be complete without homemade pastries from Yiayia's traditional recipes: baklava, melomakarona, and kataifi are just a few of the sweet treats to delight you.

Listen to the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki and other exotic instruments played by authentic Greek musicians who perform traditional and popular songs. Delight in the beauty of the elaborate costumes worn by performers as they share their carefully practiced steps and intricate dances with the enthusiastic audience.

Take advantage of a free Greek dance lesson, and enjoy participating in the same dances you would perform in the traditional villages of Greece. Dance the afternoon away, eat a little (or a lot), shop in the Greek marketplace, relax and enjoy yourself under the oaks in the warm embrace of the best Greek culture has to offer.

So maybe you can't make it all the way to Greece this year. The Santa Barbara Greek Festival is the next best thing to being there!

(all information and photos from Greek festival website)

for more information and directions, click here