Cyprus Festivals & Events
Cyprus Festivals on the island of love are full of wine, music, greek drama and fun and something the entire family will enjoy.
They are an integral part of the culture and tradition of Cyprus and an important part ofevery day life and often associated with religion.
- Carnival
- Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)
- ‘Anthestiria’ (the Spring Flower festival)
- ‘Panigiri’ (saint’s name day)
Greek Orthodox Easter and Christmas are important religious festivals celebrated by in all towns. The major festival at Christmas is held in Nicosia in Eleftheria (Freedom) Square.
The following are some of the main festivals celebrated throughout the year. There are more events and concerts which are posted under Cyprus Events 2014 which is a calendar of monthly events.
January
Epiphany
The children of this sun-drenched island love this religious festival as part of the celebrations is diving into the cold sea and retrieving the cross the Priests throw in to bless the sea.
February/ March
Cyprus Festivals ~ Limassol Carnival
Carnival time is celebrated throughout the island with parades and floats, much fun and joviality.
Lemesos (Limassol) Carnival is the largest and most colorful of all carnivals in Cyprus and lasts for an amazing eleven days.
March / April / May
Cyprus Festivals ~ Greek Easter
Of all Cyprus festivals, Greek Orthodox Easter is the most important festival in the Greek calendar and a wonderful time to visit Cyprus and it falls either in March, April or May.
The religious celebrations begin on Good Friday with Christs death and burial. On Saturday at midnight the mass celebrates Christ’s resurrection.
May
Cyprus Festivals ~ Anthestiria (Flower Festival)
During the month of May the island is ablaze with flowers. Flower Festivals are held all over the island with parades and flower filled floats which focus on Ancient Greece. Anthestiria comes from the Greek word anthos that means “flower”.
The festival has it’s roots in the ancient festival held in Athens in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. Anthestiria was also the carnivals of souls, plants and flowers to celebrate the re-birth of man and nature.
June
Cyprus Festivals ~ Shakespeare at the Ancient Curium Amphitheatre
The hot summer month of June is when the works of Shakespeare are performed for three days at the open-air ancient amphitheatre of Courion.
Tthe next production for 2015 is The Merry Wives of Windsor
FRIDAY 26TH, SATURDAY 27TH AND SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 2015
July & August
Cyprus Festivals ~ Ancient Greek Drama Festival
If you like Greek tragedies and drama then don’t miss these spectacular performances which are held throughout the months of July and August at Kourion Ancient Theater in Limassol, Ancient Odeon in Paphos and Makarios III Amphitheater in Nicosia.
The festival is organized by the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Cyprus Theater Organization.
Koumandaria Festival
The month of July also celebrate the Cypriot wine Koumandaria which was first produced during the time of the Crusades.
The villages of the Kourris Valley are the main wine producing regions of Cyprus and celebrations are held in Alassa, Agios Georgios, Doros, Laneia, Monagri and Silikou.
SETEMBER ~ Cyprus Festivals
Limassol Wine Festival
This amazing event attracts thousands of people from all over the world.
Very romantic location in Limassol Municipal gardens, not far from the seafront.
The wine of the gods is great for all to enjoy.
Cyprus Festivals
Pafos Aphrodite Festival
A highlight of the year is the Pafos Aphrodite Festival of international opera.
Held every year in September under the stars at The Medieval Pafos Castle in Pafos Harbor. For each performance there are 2,500 seats
Cinderella (17th Pafos Aphrodite Festival)
From: Friday, September 4th, 2015
Until: Sunday, September 6th, 2015
Time: Starts at 20:00
Where: Medieval Paphos Castle
Cost: €25 / €40 / €50 / €70
Cyprus International Film Festival / CYIFF // Διεθνές Κινηματογραφικό Φεστιβάλ Κύπρου
The Cyprus International Film Festival (CYIFF) is held in two venues in Pafos.
The Neapolis University and Technopolis 20 Cultural Center.
Openair festival screenings will be held in old Nicosia at CVAR/Severis Foundation with free entrance. CΥIFF is Cyprus’ first international film festival to offer new and upcoming directors the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of a jury of internationally acclaimed cinema experts, directors and actors.
First feature films compete for the Golden Aphrodite award and first short films compete in the CYIFF Got Talent category.
Organisers: C.I.F. Cultural International Film Festivals & CINE@ART Cultural Company
Website: cyprusfilmfestival.org
Limassol Children’s Festival
The Limassol International Children’s Festival is held in Limassol Municipal Gardens. There is face painting, trampolines, clowns, songs, dances concerts, exhibitions, art works, table games and a puppet show.
Cyprus Kypria Festival
This cultural event has grown over the years and is an important festival in Cyprus.
The event is organized by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture and in 2013 starts on 3 September until mid October.
October Festivals
Cyprus Festivals ~ Afamia Grape Festival
The Square, Koilani Village – About 30km north of Limassol Town
Celebration to mark the end of the grape harvest. Enjoy wine tasting and the traditional sweet palouze – grape blancmange which is made from grape juice and cornflour. There will be open-air markets and tradtional folk dancing.
OCHI DAY – 28 October (Public Holiday)
Greek National Day is celebrated every year as it marks the day when Greeks said NO (ochi) to Mussolini on October 28, 1940. The Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas’ rejected the ultimatum made by Mussolini and since 1942 the day has been celebrated as a public holiday with parades. Many places will be closed.
Cyprus Festivals ~ December
Christmas in Cyprus
This is one of the most celebrated of Cyprus festivals and a joyous time of the year and a great time to visit the island.
The weather in Cyprus is normally very warm and the traditional trimmings include Christmas pud.
All the cities and villages have traditional Christmas trees in squares or on promenades by the beach and the shops are ablaze with lights and seasonal food and gifts
Read More ~ Christmas in Cyprus >>
Public Holidays
All public services, private businesses, banks and shops are closed on public holidays. However, in the coastal resorts many shops and some services remain open. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not on Christmas Eve.
- January 1st – New Year’s Day
- January 6th – Epiphany Day
- March 25th – Greek National Day
- April 1st – National Anniversary Day
- Easter in Cyprus – Green Monday (Clean Monday) – 50 Days before Greek Orthodox Easter / Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church) Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church) Pentecost – Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)
- May 1st – Labour Day
- August 15th – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
- October 1st – Cyprus Independence Day
- October 28th – Greek National Anniversary Day
- December 24th – Christmas Eve
- December 25th – Christmas Day
- December 26th – Boxing Day
Things To Do In Cyprus
Driving in Cyprus
Cheap Car Hire
Cyprus Resorts
Cyprus Attractions
Accommodation in Cyprus
Hi there,
We are performing our new comedy in Paphos, Coral Bay and Limassol in October.
Could you please include us in your ‘What’s On’?
Many thanks
George Dickie
Producer
Rubber Ear Productions
There are details here in English and Greek:
http://www.cyprusevents.net/events/spare-ribs-pissouri-2014/
Hi George – thanks for letting us know. Will add it to the October What’s On in Cyprus.
All the best
Carole