Overview The Birmingham Greek Festival is a free three-day food festival at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral on 19th Street South, where the parishioners cook every plate, serve the meals and teach the dances. The cathedral's Ladies Philoptochos Society started it in 1972, and the festival billed its 2026 edition as the 53rd annual. The festival says it has given more than $3 million to local and national nonprofits since it began. The cathedral was established in 1906. On site The grounds stay open from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and food goes out five ways: at tented tables, at open-air tables set out in the street, in a covered garage dining area, at the walk-up and take-out windows, and through a drive-thru that closes at 6:30. The menu runs to souvlakia, pastichio, Greek chicken, spanakopita, dolmathes, gyros and Greek salad, with melomakarona, kourambiethes and baklava for dessert; parish families spend months on the baklava trays and pastries beforehand. Greek music and dancing run through the day, and the cathedral opens for self-guided tours. Parking is free a block away at the Liberty National garage on 20th Street South. Track record The money goes out to charities every year. Recent beneficiaries have included Firehouse Shelter, First Light, Urban Ministry and Children's of Alabama, plus 18 or more other organizations, and the 50th festival was run to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama. Brand presence Sponsors are thanked from the main stage and on festival banners, and every level comes with Greek Festival gift cards. The presenting sponsor is featured across the festival's press, TV, radio and online promotion, with its logo on the main-stage banners, eight mentions from the stage, dedicated social posts and a link on the website. The levels below step down through festival ads, e-blasts and social posts to a single stage mention and online recognition.