One of South Australia’s most iconic cultural celebrations is marking a major milestone, with the Semaphore Greek Festival set to celebrate 45 years on the picturesque Semaphore Foreshore in January 2026.
Returning on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January, the much-loved festival will once again transform the beachfront into a vibrant celebration of Greek culture, community and connection — and, true to tradition, entry is completely free.
Now recognised as one of South Australia’s largest cultural festivals, the Semaphore Greek Festival continues to grow year on year. In 2025, more than 45,000 people attended across the weekend, enjoying over 41,000 loukoumades, countless yiros and souvlaki, and an atmosphere that pulsed with pride, nostalgia and shared celebration.
Organisers expect 2026 to be even bigger, as the community comes together under the theme “Όλοι Μαζί – All Together.” The message reflects not only the spirit of the weekend, but the story of the festival itself.
What began as a small community gathering has grown into a two-day cultural phenomenon that brings generations together. For Greek families across Adelaide, the festival has become a treasured annual tradition. For visitors from interstate and beyond, it offers an immersive introduction to Greek culture through food, music, dance and storytelling.
At the heart of the festival are its people. This milestone year honours the hundreds of volunteers who have helped shape the event over four and a half decades. In 2025 alone, more than 340 volunteers came together to cook, prepare, welcome, dance and deliver the magic that defines the Semaphore Greek Festival. In 2026, that same community-driven energy will power the event once again — όλοι μαζί, all together.
Festival-goers can expect a vibrant program showcasing the richness of Greek culture, with live music and dance performances filling the foreshore across the weekend. Dance troupes of all ages will take the stage, reminding audiences that Greek heritage isn’t just remembered — it’s lived, passed down and celebrated in motion.
Food remains a centrepiece of the experience, with an impressive spread of authentic Greek flavours on offer. From sizzling yiros and souvlaki to golden haloumi, handmade pites including spanakopita, tiropita, prasopita and kremidopita, and succulent lamb kontosouvli, the festival delivers a feast that keeps people coming back year after year. Sweet tooths can finish with honey-drizzled loukoumades, paired with traditional Greek coffee or refreshing drinks to complete the experience.
Set against the iconic beachfront, the festival invites families and friends to bring a picnic rug, soak up the summer sunshine and enjoy live entertainment with the ocean as the backdrop.
Whether you’re Greek by birth, Greek at heart, or simply a lover of great food and culture, the 45th Anniversary Semaphore Greek Festival promises a weekend that celebrates community, history and togetherness — all by the sea.
The Semaphore Greek Festival in 1984
Event Details
Semaphore Greek Festival – 45 Years
When: 17 & 18 January 2026
Time: From 11am
Where: Semaphore Foreshore
Cost: Free entry
Info: https://www.facebook.com/sema4greekfest
