MELBOURNE, November 2026 — Thousands of people attended the 11th Oakleigh Glendi at Warrawee Park over the weekend, with Greek singer Kelly Kelekidou headlining Saturday night and Maria Maroulis closing the festival on Sunday.
The Greek Orthodox Community of Oakleigh and District organised the free two-day festival, which ran from noon to 10pm on Saturday 31 October and from noon to 7pm on Sunday 1 November, according to the official festival program.
Rain fell during the early hours on Saturday. However, the weather later cleared and crowds kept arriving through the afternoon and evening.
Kelekidou, who is from Thessaloniki, performed on the main stage from 7:30pm to 9:50pm. A 10-minute fireworks display then closed the first day.
Oakleigh Glendi main stage program
Earlier on Saturday, the main stage opened with a Welcome to Country. Performers from across Melbourne’s Korean, Serbian, Russian and Greek communities followed, including the Maya Dance Group and School of Dance, the Hansarang Korean Cultural Centre, Folklorna Grupa Sumadija and the Cretan Brotherhood.
In addition, the Lider Russian School, the Rusichi Russian Dance Ensemble, Opa-cize Dance Fitness and La Descarga took the stage, before the band Demotika played from 6:20pm.
Sunday at the Oakleigh Glendi carried a stronger Greek focus and fell on the feast of Saints Anargyroi, Kosmas and Damianos, patron saints of the local parish. The festival also came days after OXI Day on 28 October.
Oakleigh Grammar students also marched in Oakleigh on Sunday as part of the festival.
After a formal welcome at noon, students from Oakleigh Grammar and the Sts Anargiri Greek Language Centre performed. The Lemnian Community of Victoria, K Studios School of Greek Singing and Performance, the Pancretan Association of Melbourne and Pontiaki Estia followed.
Dio Patrides then played, before Maroulis closed the Oakleigh Glendi with a set from 5:30pm to 7pm. MCA Insurance Brokers announced the raffle results during her set.
Food, markets and family activities
Alongside the main stage, visitors browsed food stalls and an artisan market, while chefs and cooks gave demonstrations on the Cooking Stage. A loukoumades eating competition ran on both days.
Kids Kingdom, carnival rides and free face painting also catered for younger visitors. The Glendi Bar, near the main stage, also offered a licensed area for patrons aged 18 and over.
The City of Monash and the Victorian Multicultural Commission also support the festival, which drew more than 20,000 visitors in 2025, organisers said. Greek City Times reported on Oakleigh Grammar’s OXI Day assembly earlier in the week.
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All photos are copyrighted by Kostas Deves