The Greek community turned out in large numbers for the 2026 Oakleigh Glendi, with thousands gathering at Warrawee Park on Saturday despite rain affecting the earlier hours of the festival.
The 11th edition of the annual celebration brought together families, performers and visitors for a day of Greek music, dancing, food and entertainment, with the weather eventually clearing to allow the festivities to get into full swing.
President of the Greek Community of Oakleigh, Chris Damatopoulos, said he was pleased to see the crowds continuing to arrive after the rain.
“God certainly gave us a lot of rain, but thank God it has cleared up and now thousands of people are gathering here,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has come and continues to come, because I can see the queue – people are still arriving.”
Damatopoulos also acknowledged the support of the Victorian Government, the City of Monash and the festival’s sponsors, saying the celebration was organised for the Greek diaspora.
“This celebration tonight is for all of you,” he said.
Among the main attractions was Greek singer Kelly Kelekidou, who headlined the entertainment program and welcomed the opportunity to perform in Oakleigh.
“I am so, so happy to be here today in Oakleigh,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“The Greek community and the Greek diaspora have come together for a wonderful celebration, and I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for this invitation and for your hospitality.”
Kelekidou said the crowd were in for a memorable evening, sending her love to Greek Australians across the country.
“We are going to have an amazing time,” she said.
Her performance was followed by a fireworks display, bringing another highlight to the evening’s celebrations.
The festival’s program also featured traditional dance performances, live music and entertainment from a range of cultural groups, reflecting Oakleigh’s multicultural community.
While the rain initially threatened to dampen proceedings, the improving conditions brought more visitors into the park, where food stalls, artisan markets, cooking demonstrations, amusement rides and free face painting offered something for all ages.
For Damatopoulos, the turnout was a reflection of the community’s ongoing connection to the annual celebration, which has become a fixture on Melbourne’s Greek Australian calendar.
Kelekidou’s appearance was also a major drawcard, with her performance drawing in a massive crowd around the park.
The enthusiasm extended beyond the performers and organisers, with visitors and stallholders embracing the opportunity to be part of the festival.
Gabriel Apostoli, of Prestige Events, which operated the festival bar, said he had attended Oakleigh Glendi several times as a visitor but was working at the event for the first time.
“I like the atmosphere, to be honest. I like how it’s on the park, everyone can kind of be together and it’s a bit more inclusive,” he said.
“It’s a nice and safe space, and a lot of families are here. I feel like this is a very good vibe.”
For jewellery business SINAI Jewellery, the festival has become an annual fixture.
Co-owner Stephanie Tsimiklis, who is Egyptian and married into a Greek family, said this was the third time the business had taken part in Oakleigh Glendi.
“We love the vibe, we love the people. We don’t do too many markets and stuff, but we really like the Oakleigh Glendi festival for the vibes that it brings, the food, the culture,” she said.
Tsimiklis said many of the business’s customers were of Greek background, making the festival a natural place to showcase its collection.
She also spoke of her affection for Greek culture, describing Oakleigh as the heart of Melbourne’s Greek community.
Andrew Lekkas, founder of olive oil business Tears of the Gods, was attending for the first time, bringing olive oil from Messinia in the southern Peloponnese.
Despite the wet start, he said the atmosphere was improving as more people arrived.
Meanwhile, visitors Alex and Sienna, both young Greek Australians, said the festival continued to deliver an enjoyable atmosphere.
“I come every year, but it’s buzzing. Absolutely amazing,” Alex said.
For Australian visitor Andrew, whose Greek name is Pantelis and who is married to a woman of Greek heritage, the music was a particular attraction.
He said he had come especially to see Kelekidou, who is from Thessaloniki and has also lived in Darwin, giving her performance an Australian connection.
With its combination of Greek traditions, live entertainment and community participation, the 2026 Oakleigh Glendi once again brought generations together, with the rain doing little to keep the crowds away.
More photos
