Opa, Temecula. The Greek Festival of Temecula Valley returns to Promenade Temecula on Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18, 2026, with gyros, souvlaki, loukoumades, live Greek music, and dancing. Friday night is free for everyone, and the rest of the weekend costs $4.
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church runs the festival, and proceeds support the parish’s ministries, outreach, and charitable programs. Here is what is cooking, when to go, and what to know before you arrive, from the festival’s website and 2026 flyer as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Friday, October 16, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 18, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Where | Promenade Temecula, 40820 Winchester Road, Temecula, CA 92591 |
| Highlights | Greek food and pastries, live music by The Four Greeks LA, dancing, marketplace, Kids Zone |
| Ages | All ages |
| Admission | $4. Free on Friday night. Always free for U.S. military, veterans, first responders, and children under 12 |
| Parking | Free |
| Pets | Licensed service animals only |
| Official site | temeculagreekfest.com |
What’s on the menu
The festival says all the food is authentic Greek cuisine. Its menu page highlights:
- Gyros, which the festival calls perhaps its most famous booth: lamb and beef shaved off a rotisserie with tomatoes, red onions, and tzatziki in warm pita. The festival suggests adding feta fries.
- Souvlaki: grilled chicken, beef, and lamb in a homemade marinade, cooked over an open flame.
- Moussaka: roasted eggplant, potato, zucchini, and ground beef layered with béchamel, with a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Pastichio: baked ziti, ground beef, and béchamel.
- Loukoumades: Greek donuts glazed in honey with walnuts and cinnamon. The 2026 flyer also lists baklava sundaes.
- Greek cookies, including melamakorona, koulourakia, and kourabiedes, plus handmade Greek coffee.
- The Taverna pours beer, soda, and Greek liquor. The flyer also lists wine.
Music and dancing
The Four Greeks LA play classic Greek songs, and the festival invites everyone, young and old, to join the dancing. The flyer also lists a Mediterranean marketplace for shopping.
Pick your day
| Day | Hours | Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Free for everyone |
| Saturday | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. | $4 |
| Sunday | 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | $4 |
Friday is the budget pick. Saturday is the longest day. Military members, veterans, first responders, and kids under 12 get in free any day.
Family notes
The Kids Zone has bounce houses, carnival games, a video game trailer, and face painting. With free admission for kids under 12, a family day costs only the adults’ $4 tickets on Saturday or Sunday.
Getting there
The festival is at Promenade Temecula, 40820 Winchester Road. Parking is free, per the festival flyer. The festival has been held at the Promenade since 2024, when it moved there from its earlier location, according to Canyon Lake Insider.
Tips
- Leave pets at home. Because of Riverside County Environmental Health rules, only licensed service animals are allowed.
- Go early for gyros if it is the booth you came for. The festival calls it its most famous.
- Save room for dessert. Loukoumades, cookies, and Greek coffee are their own course.
Accessibility
The festival has not published accessibility information. Questions can go to temeculagreekfest@yahoo.com.
Still to come
Menu prices, a vendor list for the marketplace, and a music schedule have not been posted. The 824 Journal will update this guide if they are.
Sources
- Temecula Greek Festival, official site (dates, hours, address, music, Kids Zone)
- Temecula Greek Festival: Menu
- St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: 2026 Festival Flyer (admission, free days, parking, offerings)
- St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church: Greek Festival of Temecula Valley 2026 (organizer, service animal rule, contact)
- Canyon Lake Insider: Greek Festival Returning to Temecula (August 12, 2024)
Featured photo: Pf1127 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
