Glen Allen’s Lebanese Food Festival is back this weekend

The Lebanese Food Festival returns this weekend for its first fall iteration. The 41st annual event runs September 11 through 13, serving up traditional dishes that have been perfected over four decades, from shawarma and lamb kebobs to hummus, falafel, and baklava. There’s Lebanese wine and beer too.

If you’ve noticed the festival isn’t happening in May as it used to, there’s a reason. Sadler Road reconstruction near the church grounds this summer prompted organizers to move things to September. It’s actually a smart call, organizers say, because it keeps the area accessible without fighting summer road work.

What to actually eat

The food is the draw, and it’s the real thing. We’re talking dishes made according to recipes passed down through families, not some watered-down version trying too hard. Both indoor and outdoor dining are available, so whether it’s 75 degrees or drizzling, you can eat.

Getting there

Free parking and shuttle service make it easy to navigate construction. Shuttles run from the Markel Office building at 4521 Highwoods Parkway, accessible from Cox Road or near the Post Office on Sadler Road.

The festival runs Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. You’ll also catch live music and dance performances that capture something real about Lebanese culture and community. This is a rain or shine event. Learn more here.