The smell of grilled meat and the sound of live music will return to Old York Road next month as Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park hosts its OPA! Festival from Thursday, May 7 through Sunday, May 10.
The festival takes place at 7921 Old York Road and is open to the public with free admission. It runs rain or shine, with off-site parking and shuttle service available throughout the weekend. Additional details, including daily hours, are available at epgreekfest.com.
At the center of the weekend is the food that has come to define the event for many visitors. Gyros are sliced fresh from the cone, with traditional Greek dishes, pastries, and sweets prepared alongside them. Music and dancing continue throughout the day, while church tours offer a quieter way to move through the space and see the parish up close.
The festival also reflects how the parish stays connected to the surrounding area. In recent years, proceeds have supported local organizations, including the Jenkintown Food Bank, Cheltenham Police Department, Cheltenham Emergency Medical Service, the Cheltenham Volunteer Fire Department, and the Jenkintown Food Cupboard, along with relief efforts for Greece wildfires and Ukraine through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and International Orthodox Christian Charities.
For those who return each year, the reasons tend to be consistent. People come for the food, stay for the music, and end up spending more time than they planned.
Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending, as dates, times, locations, and registration information may change.