While you can't travel to Greece from Charlotte (yet), you can experience Greece in Charlotte. The 46th annual Yiasou Greek Festival floods the Dilworth neighborhood with traditional cuisine, live dances and performances, and lifetime memories.

"We call it the biggest block party in Charlotte because that's how it is," said John Shelton, the Communication Director at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

City Editor Maria, here. This is one of the biggest festivals in Charlotte. Here's just a snippet of what to expect.

Annually, the Yiasou Greek Festival draws more than 45,000 people. | Photo by Helen McGinnis via Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Festival happenings

The festival kicks off Friday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. through Sunday, Sept. 8. Tickets are $5, children 12 and under are free.

Editor's note: The money earned from ticket sales is redistributed into community nonprofits.

Savor fresh Greek cuisine like Athenian baked fish, homemade baklava, pastichio, and more.

"I am super excited about [the Athenian fish] because I did some taste testing the other day and the recipe we've decided on is just out of this world," laughed Shelton.

Get your dancing shoes ready for live music, dancing, wine tastings, art, and shopping.

New this year, guests can watch a three-course cooking demonstration showcasing the origins and health benefits of Greek dishes.

Where to park

The festival is at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Organizers recommend parking two blocks away, at INVLIVIAN Housing Refined.

Pro tip: Parking is free after 5 p.m. Friday, all day Saturday, and Sunday.

Street parking is also available + the Light Rail can be taken to the East/West Boulevard Lynx station.

The Yiasou Greek Festival began as a one-day festival before expanding to a three-day festival, drawing visitors from across Charlotte and the Carolinas. | Photo by Helen McGinnis via Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral

History of the festival

The festival is rich with tradition, starting as a one-day event in the 1970s. In 1978, the festival grew to a three-day event.

Today, it draws 45,000+ visitors to the Charlotte region.

"My favorite thing is being able to get everybody together in one spot and just enjoy all the good things about life," Shelton said with a smile.