Holidays and festivals in Cyprus

It seems that every Cypriot plant has its own festival: rose, lavender, almond, pomegranate and even potatoes! But the main festivities are carnivals and wine festivals. So, what holidays are celebrated in Cyprus?

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Winter holidays

Christmas in Cyprus

On December 25, Cyprus celebrates Christmas. It is customary to celebrate it with the family, although this does not interfere with fun street carnivals. It is customary to decorate the table richly: smoked meats, baked turkey, pork, hare, poultry stuffed with rice, raisins and nuts, shortbread cookies with orange zest, pancakes with orange juice syrup, Christmas cake with a whole walnut in the shell. There are more than 12 dishes on the Cypriot table! A funny tradition is to throw small donuts on the roof of the house, thus expelling evil spirits.

New Year

Throughout December, Cyprus is preparing for the main holiday - the meeting of the New Year. Preparations for the festivities will start on December 1st. Cities are transformed, shining with illuminations and fireworks. Scarlet “Christmas trees” appear on the streets of the city and in the windows of houses, and the original symbol of the New Year is a decorated boat. But the magic of the holiday does not end on December 31st. In every village, Christmas markets are held in January, demonstrating authentic products. The beginning of January can be called the "hot" season.

• In Platres, New Year's toys are made from clay, lavender products and knitwear.
• Kakopetria - the residence of St. Vasilis (analogous to Santa Claus), where the elves live. At the festival, you can taste hot mulled wine and Cypriot treats. Vasilis is left a festive cake with a coin "vasilopita" under the New Year's tree. According to tradition, it will be cut and tasted only on the morning of January 1. And whoever finds the coin will be lucky all year.
• In the village of Letumbu, they demonstrate the preparation of traditional Cypriot halloumi cheese and bread.
• In Agros, at the winter fair, they are treated to rose jam, handmade jewelry, and cosmetics from a beautiful flower.
• In the village of Anogyra, you can taste carob sweets.
• Wine tasting in Omodos, and for the most inquisitive - an old wine press!

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Epiphany Day

Epiphanius Day are celebrated throughout the island. It is also called Τα Φοτα or the Festival of Light. One of the most important holidays of the year for Orthodox Cyprus, because Saint Epiphanius became the first archbishop of Cyprus and was canonized.

In Cyprus, on this holiday it is customary to jump into the sea and catch a cross thrown into the sea by a clergyman. Whoever catches it will not be touched by evil spirits.

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Valentine's Day

February 14 in Cyprus is celebrated in a special way. After all, this is the island of love, where Aphrodite came out of the foam! There is a legend according to which lovers should bathe on this day near the Stone, where the goddess was born. And it will bring them good luck and love.

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Almond Blossom Festival

It takes place in the village of Limnatis at the end of February. The event attracts residents and visitors to the island, who have gathered to look at the magnificent gardens with pale pink flowers. Sometimes even the President of the Republic of Cyprus visits him.

Guests are offered free tastings of local wine and zivania, as well as an almond drink. Huge braziers are lined up on the main site of the festival, where chicken and pork souvlaki are prepared. They are treated to traditional sweets loukoumades , similar to donuts and almond delicacies, Cypriot unleavened bread straight from the oven. They organize workshops on cooking halloumi cheese and clay modeling. Did you know that white-colored almonds are bitter and are used to make drinks, and pink-colored almonds are used for desserts?

The distance from Limassol to Limnatis is about 25 km.

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Carnival in Limassol

At the end of February-beginning of March, a grandiose holiday takes place - Limassol Carnival Fest. It has been held annually since 1890, and the history of the holiday goes back to Ancient Greece. It precedes the beginning of Lent and opens 50 days before the Easter holiday.

Cyprus walks for 10 days, and the main extravaganza takes place in Limassol. All this time the island is filled with holidays, carnival processions, music and folk festivals. In the evening, wines of famous Cypriot brands are poured free of charge.

In the 19th century, the inhabitants of Cyprus dressed in pajamas or home clothes: they took to the streets in this form. Now they are dressed in funny carnival costumes. The theme of the carnival changes every year. The festival begins with the appearance of the Carnival King, who leads the festive procession. A crowd in masks and costumes follows the king to receive his blessing for good luck. And look at the floats in the sea. Up to 100,000 people take part in parades in Limassol! The facades of buildings, streets and avenues are decorated with colored flags and ribbons, illumination, and the city is filled with music, entertainment, costumed parade. The carnival in Limassol closes with a grand parade.

The holiday is divided into two weeks: meat and cheese, when the corresponding dishes are served.

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Spring holidays

Greek Cypriot Day

April 1 is Greek Cypriot National Day. It commemorates the liberation from British rule that took place in 1955. The streets are paraded with flags flying.

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Wild Tulip Festival

April is the time for tulips to bloom! Tulip Festival in the village of Polemi, located at an altitude of 460 m above sea level, invites guests. The festival, which has been held annually since 2002, attracts flower lovers to admire the blooming of wild tulips. For their unusual shape, they are called the sun-eyed flower. Holiday dates are floating, depending on the colors. Polemi is the only place where these tulips grow.

Greece Independence Day

This day is celebrated on March 25. It is a public holiday. Parades are held in big cities, live music is played.

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Easter festivities

Easter is the main holiday of April. At night, on Easter Saturday, a grandiose procession takes place near the churches in Cyprus.

The Cypriots have an interesting tradition of dyeing eggs exclusively red. And on the table they put a fried lamb, a pie stuffed with local cheeses.

On the evening of Good Friday there are parades with the participation of local bands. Don't be surprised by the procession with flower-studded coffins.

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Rose festival

It takes place in May in the village of Agros, where rose petal products are made. You can participate in the collection of roses, see the technology for the production of cosmetics and sweets from the petals. And, of course, try drinks and delicacies from roses!

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Flower Festival

Anfestiria is the brightest festival in May. This is a celebration of the awakening of nature and spring in honor of the god of wine and fertility, Dionysus. Magic flower parade, music and dance performances! On this day, wreaths of wild flowers are woven, hair ornaments are made from flowers. The main festival takes place in Paphos, which turns into a garden city. This day is dedicated to plants that grow in Cyprus. After all, a small island contains more than 2 thousand species of flora, and 150 of them grow only on the island.

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Pharos International Chamber Music Festival

In May and June, takes place in Nicosia, traditionally held in the concert hall The Shoe factory. The event will appeal to lovers of classical music.

Street life Festival

This is a festival in Limassol. Comes to Cyprus in early May and gathers street artists who make graffiti. 10 thousand participants gather, and passers-by gather on the streets, who consider the moment of birth of vivid paintings.

Strawberry Festival, Derinya

At the end of May, in a village near Protaras, it's time for the most delicious festival in Cyprus. After all, the island is famous for growing this berry. There is a tasting of strawberry ice cream, jam, marmalade, pies with sweet filling. 60% of Cypriot strawberries are grown in this village!

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Summer Holidays

Lavender Festival

In the village of Avgorou, delicate lavender blooms in June. Its aroma attracts tourists who come to admire the magical fields and photo shoots. The Cyherbia Medicinal Herb Park is simply amazing: huge lavender beds have been erected in the form of meandering rivers! Guests are offered to make souvenirs from fragrant lavender with their own hands and take a piece with them.

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Water Festival, Cataclysmos

The next day after the celebration of the Holy Trinity, a water festival is held. They walk most brightly in Larnaca: the Finikoudes embankment is filled with songs and crowds of guests. The holiday is associated with the memory of the Flood. Cataclysmos is celebrated in all cities of Cyprus with performances and fireworks. It is customary to pour water on each other, and a parade of yachts takes place on the sea.

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Shakespeare nights

The original open-air festival is a bewitching action! Shakespeare's plays are staged in city theaters, and many guests gather to watch them.

Ancient Greek Drama Festival, Paphos

It lasts all summer until August, at the ancient odeon in Paphos. Incredibly, the plays are performed in ancient Greek!

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Larnaca Festival

Music and dancing do not stop in Larnaca. The courtyard of the medieval fort of Larnaca is being transformed thanks to a team of artists.

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Beer Festival

The most long-awaited holiday of July, filled with the aroma of a foamy drink. You can enjoy Cypriot food and taste both local beers and beers from around the world. There are at least a hundred of them: from Germany, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Poland, as well as distant Japan.

No wonder the festival is held for 5 days, so that there is enough time to taste everything! And in Limassol they organize all-around competitions. Entrance ticket - 8 euros (a glass of beer is included in the price).

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Koupepia festival

Every year in July takes place in the village of Avdima . Kupepija is a dish reminiscent of cabbage rolls, but grape leaves are used instead of cabbage leaves. During the holiday, you can taste the dish. The record of the holiday is a 7-meter-long kupepya , which was included in the Guinness Book of Records . The cost of visiting is about 12 euros.

Shepherd's fair

In mid-July, in the small village of Pakhna (not far from Limassol), a festival is held annually, famous for its dairy products. Only here you can try to shear sheep. And also learn the secrets of making halloumi and anari cheese. And what is a festival without traditional zivania and wine! Folklore music, shepherd customs and tasty treats make the holiday attractive for tourists.

Potato festival

Have you tried potato jam? What about potato candy? Such a rare opportunity will present itself in the village of Avgorou. Locals will show how potato soap and face cream are made. The festival is held at the end of July. Entrance ticket - 5 euros.

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Autumn holidays

Wine festival

It runs from August 28-30 to September 7-9. All this time Limassol walks. The best wineries bring their products for tasting. The guests of the holiday are especially delighted with the traditional pressure of grapes with their feet: where else will such an opportunity be presented! The festival has been held annually since 1961. It is held in the evenings in the Municipal Garden of Limassol, where wine tasting is free.

By the way, from Paphos, Larnaca, Nicosia and Ayia Napa, from Friday to Sunday, a free bus carries tourists to the holiday.

The cost of the entrance ticket to the festival is 6 euros.

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Afamia Wine Festival

It takes place annually at the end of September in the village of Kilani (30 minutes drive from Limassol). The festival is distinguished by special wines that will appeal to connoisseurs of noble drinks. A small village is the center of winemaking in Cyprus.

Republic of Cyprus Independence Day

October 1 the whole of Cyprus walks: the Republic celebrates its Independence. It was not easy for the island, because of its geographical position, to maintain independence. Only in 1960 did Cyprus become a sovereign state. Celebrate Independence with parades and family feasts.

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Medieval Festival in Ayia Napa

In early October, near the medieval monastery, in an authentic setting, the transformation into knights and beautiful ladies takes place. Guests are waiting for theatrical performances, tournaments and competitions, master classes in traditional Cypriot crafts, exhibitions of medieval art!

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Pomegranate festival

It is usually celebrated in September in the village of Ormidia, when the crop is ripe. Taste pomegranate liqueur and fruit-based sweets!

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Apple festival

Cypriots devote holidays to almost every vegetable, fruit and product born in Cyprus.

In October, the village of Kyperunta treats guests to fresh apple juice and Cypriot apple dishes. Apple pies and apple yawning, traditional crafts, music and dancing - all the conditions for a bright holiday!

Olive tree festival

It is not surprising that in Cyprus they decided to honor the olives! Early October at the Olive theme park oil Oleastro, famous for its oil production, is having a party. You can taste olive oil and olive oil products, try olive pie and traditional olive pastries.

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It doesn't matter what time of the year you visit Cyprus. The atmosphere of celebration and fun always reigns on the sunny island, and the Cypriots have something to surprise!