Paniyiri Greek Festival 2017

Overview

For two days each May, most of Brisbane heads to Musgrave Park to pretend they're in the Mediterranean. Yes, it's Paniyiri time again, with the city's massive Greek festival taking over West End with quite the array of food, drink, partying and more. There's a reason that more than two million people have gone along over the past four decades.

In the event's 41st year, there's grapes to stomp, coffee to sip and plates to smash, plus TV stars to rub shoulders with and cooking demonstrations to watch, too. And, it wouldn't be Paniyiri without everyone's favourite entertaining displays. If dancing is more your style, watch Greek Dancing with the Stars or celebrate 40 years of the Hellenic dancers. If devouring as much as you can is your idea of fun, take part in the festival's regular food contests. Can you eat more olives or honey puffs than anyone else? Here's your chance to find out.

Because you're never too old to try new things, Paniyiri has also added something different to the mix in 2017: The Plateia, which aims to recreate the sights, tastes and smells of a traditional Greek Village. Inside, you'll find Greek coffee, a sweet shop selling desserts, a seafood tavern cooking fresh octopus on the coals, a wine bar serving up Greek brews and tipples, and a traditional taverna whipping up souvlaki. Make sure you leave room for some haloumi, calamari and dolmades as well.