Thousands of Greek Americans, Chicago residents, and local leaders gathered on Sunday to celebrate the annual Greek Independence Day Parade in the heart of Chicago’s historic Greektown. The vibrant event brought together the community in a joyful display of pride, heritage, and unity.
The parade served as a tribute to the rich history of Greek independence and a celebration of Hellenic culture’s enduring legacy in the city. Colorful floats, traditional music, and dance performances filled the streets as attendees waved Greek flags and cheered on the participants.
Local Greek schools, cultural organizations, and dance troupes proudly marched in traditional attire, showcasing the beauty and vibrancy of Greek customs. Musicians played classic folk tunes, adding to the lively atmosphere that echoed through the neighborhood.
A highlight of the day came when His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, stepped off the stage to join the grand finale. In a heartwarming and symbolic gesture, he danced alongside members of the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society, further uniting the crowd in celebration.
The mainstage of the event was located at Adams and Halsted Street. The parade started at Van Buren Street and Halsted Street, and finished at the mainstage with Greek dancing.
#AHEPA family at today’s Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade. pic.twitter.com/VmuieP6YMb
— AHEPA Hoosier District 12 (@d12governor) April 6, 2025
Since 1964, the Greek American community has made this event a fun time for all to enjoy colorful traditional costumes, a sense of community and genuine Hellenic spirit.
Chicago’s Greektown, the dining and nightlife district on the city’s Near West Side, is the undisputed cultural hub for the third-largest population of Greeks living in the USA.
Greektown’s bars and restaurants, serving some of the best Greek food in the country, lie roughly between Van Buren and Madison Streets, along Halsted Street, west of the Loop.
It is estimated that approximately 150,000 people of Greek ancestry live in the greater Chicagoland area. The language is still heard in the neighborhood, and the community comes out in full ethnic pride during the annual Greek Independence Day parade.
The National Hellenic Museum, the renowned center for Greek-American history, is also located in the area.
Thousands of people also attended the Greek Independence Day Parades in Philadelphia and Detroit on Sunday.
In their traditional guard uniforms, Evzones Presidential Guards from Greece also joined the parades, performing their signature ceremonial marches.
The Philadelphia event took place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and saw the best Greek groups from Philadelphia, South Jersey and Delaware march down the boulevard with their floats, banners, and of course Greek flags, under traditional Greek music.
Drake and Maria Behrakis served as the Grand Marshalls of this year’s Greek parade.
In Detroit, the Greek parade was held on Monroe Street in Historic Greektown Detroit, in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas.
Tony Manolias was this year’s Grand Marshall for the city’s Greek Parade. The Hellenic Museum of Michigan hosted the Evzones Presidential Guard and His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina for a Meet and Greet reception on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s Greek Independence Day celebrations.
