St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival returns to Atlanta Oct. 10-11

St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the 48th Annual Middle Eastern Festival in Atlanta on Oct. 10-11, bringing food, music, church tours and family activities to a cashless weekend event. The festival is one of the city's longest-running cultural celebrations and draws visitors of all backgrounds.

Why it matters: - The 48th Annual St. Elias Middle Eastern Festival is one of Atlanta’s longest-running cultural events. - The weekend celebration brings food, family programming and church tours to a broad public audience. - The event highlights Middle Eastern hospitality, Orthodox Christian tradition and community heritage in one place.

What happened: - St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the festival on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, and Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Atlanta. - The festival runs Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - The church is at 2045 Ponce De Leon Ave NE in Atlanta. - The festival is cashless, and guests are expected to use credit cards, debit cards or other accepted electronic payment methods.

The details: - The menu includes stuffed grape leaves, kibbeh, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouli, falafel, kafta and chicken plates. - Guests can also buy Arabic coffee and traditional sweets including baklawa, ma'amoul and knafeh. - Much of the food is prepared by St. Elias community members using family recipes passed down through generations. - Families can visit the Kids Corner for bounce houses, face painting, cotton candy, crafts and children's activities. - Visitors can take guided church tours to learn about the church's architecture, icons, history and the Orthodox Christian faith. - Church tours are scheduled for Saturday at 12:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. - Religious services are scheduled for Saturday Vespers at 5:00 p.m., Sunday Matins at 8:50 a.m. and Sunday Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. - Festival information is available at the festival website, by email at StEliasFest@gmail.com or by phone at 404-378-8191. - The church also shared festival updates on Instagram and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The festival has grown from a community gathering into a signature Atlanta tradition. - The event is designed to welcome visitors of all ages and backgrounds, not only church members or members of the Middle Eastern community. - The mix of food, faith and family programming turns the festival into both a cultural showcase and a community outreach event.

What's next: - Atlanta residents and visitors can attend throughout the Oct. 10-11 weekend. - Guests planning to purchase food or goods should arrive prepared to pay electronically. - Future festivals will likely continue centering the church's role as a cultural and faith anchor for the local community.