Saint Demetrios Greek Festival offers a ‘passport-free’ trip to Greece in Upper Darby

Get ready to eat, dance and say ‘Opa!’ — the Saint Demetrios Greek Wine and Food Festival is back this weekend.

Hosted by Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church — a fixture of the Upper Darby community since 1942 — the four-day celebration (May 14 to 17) will transform the church grounds into an energetic showcase of Greek culture, cuisine, music, and hospitality.

Described as a “passport-free” trip to the Mediterranean, the volunteer-driven festival offers visitors a taste of Greece through traditional foods, live entertainment, and family-friendly festivities. Every dish is prepared by parish volunteers using recipes passed down through generations, creating what many attendees call a true “Yiayia-standard” Greek meal —aka the kind of homemade experience rarely found outside a Greek family kitchen.

“This festival is a reflection of who we are as a community and how we preserve and share our Greek culture, traditions, and faith with the next generation,” says Spiros Koulas, Chairman of the Saint Demetrios Greek Festival. “For us, it’s not just about the food or the music. It’s about opening our doors and inviting everyone who walks in to feel like part of our family.”

This year’s celebration will also debut the Interactive Heritage Series, a fresh line-up of immersive experiences that put guests right in the center of the action.

Highlights include a free community-style Backgammon (“Tavli”) Tournament (advance registration recommended via Luma) hosted by the Backgammon Social Club on opening night, where pros and beginners can partake, recreating the spirit of a traditional Greek café.

Guests can also explore Greece’s culinary heritage through guided wine and spirit tastings featuring regional wines, ouzo, and Metaxa, as well as a “Yiayia-approved” cooking workshop focused on the art of hand-rolled phyllo dough. There will also be a “Kefi” dance lesson, where visitors will learn traditional Greek folk dances.

As a release notes, designed with accessibility in mind, the festival offers a “frictionless” experience for visitors of all ages, with free admission and complimentary valet parking. The festival and all of its efforts are powered by more than 100 parish volunteers, with longtime church families working alongside newer generations to preserve and share their heritage through the spirit of “Philoxenia” — the Greek tradition of warm hospitality and generosity toward guests.

Ultimately, the experience serves as an annual open house for the Philadelphia community with a mission to bring people together through food, music, and connection.

The Saint Demetrios Greek Wine and Food Festival will take place May 14 to 17,  at 229 Powell Lane in Upper Darby, with festivities running Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11  a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. To find out more information, visit  udgreekfest.com

MORE: What’s new on Philly’s waterfront: Glow rides, aqua bikes and more