2019 Greek Independence Day Festivities in Tampa Bay

While March 25th is the official date of Greek Independence Day which commemorates the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821 which ended in 1830 with the establishment of an independent state free from Turkish rule, Greeks all over Tampa Bay will be commemorating Greek Independence Day throughout the last week of March. The date also coincides with the Feast Day of the Annunciation of the Theotokos.

Below is a list we have compiled of all the local ways you can celebrate Greek Independence this year. Share with friends and make plans!

March 24th at 11:30 AM | Tampa

Greek Independence Day Program at St. John

Following the Divine Liturgy at St. John Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa at 9:45 AM, the parish community will host its annual Greek Independence Day Program during coffee hour, featuring several performances of its children and adult dance groups, the singing of some folk songs, as well as the reading of Greek poems from its Adult Greek School. The celebration will also feature lunch sponsored by a member of the community, and benefiting the church.

March 30th at 6:30 PM | Tarpon Springs

Greek Dance at St. Nicholas Community Center

There will be a special glendi (dance) held at the St. Nicholas Spanos-Pappas Community Center in Tarpon Springs, beginning at 6:30 PM, on March 30th. The Community Center is located at 348 N. Pinellas Avenue. Tickets are $50 per person and includes dinner. The event will feature a live Greek band For tickets, call Gus Sisois at 727-858-2630, or Angelo Angelatos at 727-481-0812, or P. Koutsopanago at 727-389-8238.

March 31st at 1:30 PM | Tarpon Springs

Greek Independence Day Parade

The Greek community of Tampa Bay will assemble at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs, to kick off the annual Greek Independence Day Parade on March 31st. Set up for the parade will begin at 12:00 PM before the start at 1:30 PM. The parade is a lively celebration, featuring Greeks and non-Greeks alike waving flags and enjoying a wave of bright blue and white, as well as beautifully decorated floats from local Greek Orthodox churches and organizations, as well as dance groups and community representatives and dignitaries. FREE Greek flags will be handed out to all parade-goers!

The route will start north on Pinellas Avenue at Lemon Street and will continue down Dodecanese Boulevard. Goers should expect road closures along these routes which should reopen an hour after the parade ends at 3:30 PM.

The dozens of Greek restaurants dotting the Sponge Docks can offer wonderful viewing areas, or simply a place to grab lunch or dinner after the parade.

March 31st at 8:00 PM | Tarpon Springs

Independence Day Bouzoukia at BARaki Lounge

Following the Greek Independence Day parade at the Sponge Docks, local lounge BARaki will be hosting a Bouzoukia Bash from 8:00 PM to 2:00 AM on March 31st. Live entertainment will feature Manolis Opados, Evgenia, as well as Christina Mpasi. For reservations, call Yiannis at 954-865-1982.