San Antonio Greek FUNstival Returns Oct. 16-18 During St. Sophia’s Centennial Year

Three-day festival features authentic Greek food, live music and dancing, expanded marketplace and new cultural experiences.

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES, September 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Original Greek FUNstival returns to San Antonio Oct. 16-18, 2026, as St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church celebrates its 100th anniversary with a weekend of authentic Greek food, live music and dancing, cultural experiences and family-friendly fun.

Following its successful revival in 2025, the three-day festival will once again transform the grounds of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary’s St., into a lively celebration of Greek culture and hospitality.

“During our Centennial year, FUNstival gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only our Greek heritage, but also the generations of families who built and sustained this parish,” said the Rev. Thomas Newlin, priest of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. “For one weekend, our church becomes a little piece of Greece in the heart of San Antonio.”

Greek Food Takes Center Stage

Authentic Greek cuisine remains at the heart of FUNstival, with parish volunteers preparing traditional favorites including gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, dolmades, baklava, loukoumades and Greek pastries.

New for 2026, the festival is expanding its Greek Grill into a larger dedicated tent designed to increase cooking capacity, shorten lines and give visitors a front-row view of the grills in action.

The festival will also expand its Greek coffee offerings, including traditional Nescafé frappés inspired by the iconic iced coffee enjoyed throughout Greece.

More Greek Culture and Family Fun

Throughout the weekend, St. Sophia’s youth and adult dance groups will perform traditional Greek folk dances in authentic regional costumes, accompanied by live Greek music.

A new Greece Learning Zone will offer children and families interactive activities designed to introduce visitors to Greek history, language, traditions and culture.

Visitors can also explore an expanded AGORA Greek Marketplace featuring a wider selection of vendors, imported goods, specialty products, gifts and artisan offerings. The festival’s Greek Wine Bar will return with Greek wines, imported beer and other beverages.

“Every dish, dance and musical performance tells a story about who we are, where we came from and why these traditions continue to matter,” said Christy Welzbacher, chairperson of the San Antonio Greek FUNstival. “We want every visitor to feel like an honored guest of our community.”

Celebrating 100 Years in San Antonio

Founded in 1926, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church is celebrating a century of faith, service and Greek heritage in San Antonio in 2026. FUNstival has long served as one of the parish’s signature opportunities to share its culture and traditions with the broader community.

Proceeds from the festival benefit St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church and its ministries, programs and community outreach efforts.

EVENT DETAILS

What: The Original Greek FUNstival
When: Friday, Oct. 16-Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
Where: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 2504 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78212
Hours: Friday, 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
Admission: $5 per person; children 12 and younger are free
Payment: Cashless event
Information: sagreekfunstival.org

Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, organizations and individuals. Additional festival information, schedules and ticket details are available at sagreekfunstival.org.

About St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church

Founded in 1926, St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church has served as the spiritual and cultural home of San Antonio’s Greek Orthodox community for 100 years. The parish is dedicated to worship, fellowship, education, philanthropy and service while preserving and sharing the traditions of the Orthodox Christian faith and Greek heritage.

Anthony Kylitis
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church
info@sagreekfunstival.org