Tens of thousands gather at Darling Harbour to experience the beauty of Greek culture at the Greek Festival of Sydney
The Greek Festival at Darling Harbour was a resounding success this year, with thousands of visitors flocking to experience the vibrant beauty of Greek culture. Organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) as part of the esteemed 43rd Greek Festival of Sydney, this iconic event celebrated Greek culture and marked a significant milestone in the heart of the city. Proudly presented by the Bank of Sydney and supported by Multicultural NSW.
The weekend was packed with spectacular performances, incredible music, and vibrant energy, the event was a true testament to the strength of the Greek community and their love for their heritage.
Mr. Harry Danalis, President of the GOC NSW, led the official inauguration of the Festival, joined by esteemed guests including; The Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia; the Hon. Mr. Ioannis Mallikourtis, Consul-General of Greece in Sydney; The Hon Mr Stephen Kamper, MP – Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Rockdale, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Sport, Member of the Australian Labor Party representing Premier NSW, The Hon Mr Chris Minns, MP, The Hon Mr Matt Thistlethwaite, MP – Assistant Minister for Immigration, and Member for Kingsford Smith, representing the Hon. Mr Tony Burke, MP, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Leader of the House, Australian Labor Party; The Hon Mr David Coleman MP –Shadow Minister for Communications, Federal Member for Banks, Member of the Opposition (Liberal Party) representing The Hon Mr Peter Dutton MP, Leader of the Opposition, Member for Dickson; The Hon Mr Mark Coure MP – Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Oatley, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, Shadow Minister for Jobs, Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, and Shadow Minister for South-Western Sydney, Member of the Liberal Party; Cllr Zann Maxwell, Deputy Lord’s Mayor – representing Lord Mayor Clover Moore, City of Sydney; The Hon Mrs Sophie Cotsis MP – Member of the Legislative Assembly, Member for Canterbury, Minister for Industrial Relations, and Minister for Work Health and Safety, Member of the Australian Labor Party; Mr Nikolaos Varellas – Deputy High Commissioner for Cyprus representingH.E. Mr Antonis Sammoutis, High Commissioner for Cyprus at the High Commission of Cyprus in Australia and Mr Melos Sulicich, CEO Bank of Sydney.
The festival saw a stunning showcase of Greek dance, with some of the finest dance groups from across the region delivering lively and graceful performances over Saturday and Sunday. The skilled dancers brought traditional Greek folklore to life, with a sprinkle of moder greek thrown in between. Their energetic routines and beautiful costumes captivated the crowd, with each performance offering a window into Greece’s rich cultural heritage.
Saturday afternoon’s Cretan festivities kicked off with the Cretan Association of Sydney and NSW, who warmed up the crowd with an energetic and captivating performance. Accompanied by traditional live instruments, their performance was a perfect introduction to the evening’s celebrations. Their lively tunes and bold dance moves set the stage for the incredible acts that followed with the upbeat tunes of Xylourides, who energized the crowd and set the stage for an unforgettable weekend. The festival reached new heights with a stunning performance by Nikos Zoidakis, the internationally renowned Greek singer. His powerful vocals and captivating stage presence had the audience cheering and dancing, cementing his place as a festival highlight.
The energy continued into Sunday as the festival showcased an electrifying line-up of local talent. Iho Nyx took the stage, delivering an unforgettable performance that had the crowd dancing with their infectious rhythms. Their fusion of modern sounds with Greek influences added a fresh, dynamic twist to the festival. Following them, Bouzouki Entertainment brought the crowd to their feet with the heart-pounding rhythms of the bouzouki, delivering an authentic, high-energy Greek experience that had everyone dancing in celebration.
Hosting Sunday’s festivities with their signature humor and wit, Anthony Locascio and the Boys from Ouzo Talk Tom Skoularikis and Nick Aathanasaiou, kept the crowd engaged and entertained. Their lighthearted commentary and infectious energy ensured the event flowed smoothly while keeping the mood lively and fun.
The weekend’s grand finale on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular, with Rena Morfi closing the festival with an electrifying performance. Rena’s incredible voice and captivating presence had the audience singing and dancing until the very end, creating a perfect finish to a weekend of pure celebration.
The Greek Festival at Darling Harbour continues to grow and evolve, and the event’s success is a testament to the ongoing support from our incredible sponsors, including Bank of Sydney, whose commitment has been key to making this year’s festival possible.
“The Greek Festival continues to be an amazing success, and this year was no exception. From the local talent to the international stars, it was a celebration of everything that makes Greek culture so special,” said Nia Karteris, Festival Chair. “We can’t wait to continue growing this festival and make next year even bigger and better!”
The Darling Harbour festivities marked the commencement of 27 events scheduled throughout the three-month duration of the 43rd Greek Festival of Sydney.
