Houston Greek Festival was started in 1966 by the members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral as a "Greek Night". The three day festival is held annually on the first weekend in October (including Thursday) and features Greek food, live Greek music and Greek folk dances, as well as a gift shop and tours of the Cathedral. The Cathedral grounds on Yoakum Boulevard in the Neartown area of Houston are overrun with people during this annual ethnic festival.
Through proceeds from the Greek Festival, donations are made to various charitable organizations, such as Children's Assessment Center, S.E.A.R.C.H., the Women's Home, Covenant House, Texas Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC), and the Star of Hope Mission.
In 1917, a handful of Greek immigrants formed what is today one of the largest Greek Orthodox communities in the United States. Greek entrepreneurs started restaurant businesses and opened gas stations.
In 1952, the church moved from its original location in downtown Houston (what is now Tranquility Park) to its current location on Yoakum Boulevard. In 1967, Houston was designated as the see of a new diocese in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America and Bishop John of Thermon was installed. In 1971, the parish opened a parochial school, The Annunciation School.
In the early 1990s a new parish, St. Basil the Great was formed in west Houston.