We could earn revenue from hyperlinks on this put up. Please learn this Disclosure for particulars.
Are you on the lookout for a solution to make your trip in Cyprus unforgettable? Then contemplate including a Cyprus pageant to your journey plans.
The third largest island within the Mediterranean, Cyprus is on the crossroads of three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. All have performed a component in shaping its tradition.
Its festivals, occasions and vacation celebrations may be very giant and thrilling. From non secular celebrations to music and sport occasions, there’s one thing significant for everybody all year long.
Six years in the past, my spouse and I landed in Cyprus as expat Canadians. Now, as full time residents, together with having fun with the stunning seashores of Paphos and the conventional foods and drinks of Cyprus, we love attending festivals.
They’re the proper alternative to socialize, have enjoyable and grow to be immersed in Cypriot tradition.
That can assist you expertise the Cypriot lifestyle, I’ve created an inventory of the highest festivals in Cyprus so as to add to your journey plans.
Learn on to find what makes these particular occasions so charming!
February
1. Carnival in Cyprus
The reality is that Carnival in Cyprus isn’t actually a pageant — it’s extra of a 10-day get together! It’s celebrated all around the island, however the primary motion occurs in Limassol.
The get together predates Christianity and finds its roots in Greek mythology devoted to Dionysus, the god of consuming, events and enjoyable.
For the week and a half earlier than Lent, locals and guests maintain competitions, gown up in themed costumes, get together with foods and drinks earlier than the 50 days of fasting.
It culminates on the Sunday the place over 150 floats and 50,000 individuals be part of within the ultimate parade by way of the town.
Think about Rio with a Greek flavour and also you’ll get an thought of Carnival in Cyprus.
2. Inexperienced Monday
That is the primary day of Lent within the Orthodox Church. Often known as “Clear Monday” or “Ash Monday” it’s a nationwide vacation and a time for Cypriots to spend time on the island’s finest seashores and parks with their households.
It’s known as Clear Monday because it signifies the method of clearing thoughts and spirit as the following days resulting in Easter are fasting days.
On the get together, households take pleasure in actions reminiscent of kite-flying competitions, egg races, blindfold yogurt consuming, and conventional meals reminiscent of lagana (unleavened bread), havlas (a floor sesame confection) and taramas (fish roe).
🌟 Professional Tip: Notice that the date for Inexperienced Monday can vary from mid to late February or early March.
March
3. Orthodox Easter in Cyprus
The Cypriot Orthodox Church stays a major pillar of the day by day lives of the individuals on the island.
On Easter Sunday, the most necessary vacation of the yr, a midnight mass held at practically each church, village, city and metropolis.
Bonfires, supposed to efface Judas, and fireworks are set off to banish demons. All of it follows 40 days of abstaining from meals and wine by way of Lent, which supplies solution to conventional feasting.
Be part of the late evening festivities at one of many island’s non secular holidays and you’ll rapidly make many Cypriot buddies.
🌟 Insider Tip: Be taught just a little little bit of Greek, even whether it is simply to say good morning or howdy. It goes a good distance with Cypriots.
April
4. Fish Pageant
Escape to the port village of Latchi close to Polis this April for an unmissable fish pageant!
Native eating places supply a variety of recent fish dishes and drinks, whilst you take pleasure in musical performances by conventional dancers, singers and musicians.
Don’t miss watching the native fishermen show their knot tying and different expertise. They’ll wow you with their prowess. Or take a boat tour alongside the breathtaking coast.
Come for the meals, get hooked on the native tradition. It’s an unforgettable expertise!
Test costs and availability of a Latchi Glass-Backside Boat Tour on Viator.com.
Could
5. Worldwide Pharos Chamber Music Pageant
This classical music occasion is among the most necessary Cyprus festivals. Held in Could and June since 2001, the Worldwide Pharos Chamber Music Pageant attracts a formidable line-up of world-renowned and native artists and ensembles.
Music lovers from all around the planet come to Cyprus only for this pageant to catch a number of of the 150 concert events going down.
They’re a chance to listen to a number of the world’s finest musicians — from pianists to violinists to cellists — carry out classics in addition to rarely-performed masterpieces.
Many of the dwell performances are held within the UNESCO Royal Manor Home (Google Map) in Kouklia close to Paphos.
This historic city was as soon as the capital of Cyprus and the house of the cult of Aphrodite.
6. Cyprus Rose Pageant
The Cyprus Rose Pageant takes place within the stunning village of Agros (pop. 1,000) over two weekends in Could.
Throughout this occasion your entire area round Agros is crammed with the colors and fragrances of an abundance of roses.
The preferred actions at this fragrant Cyprus pageant embody selecting recent roses, making rosewater and liqueurs, studying about important oil extraction, cooking rose delicacies and different native crafts.
It’s a stunning solution to spend a weekend within the mountains.
🌟 Professional Tip: You’ll have to hire a automobile to get to most festivals in Cyprus. Travelling by automobile additionally occurs to be one of the best ways to see and expertise the nation.
Test for the perfect automobile rental charges at Discovercars.com
June
7. Worldwide Modern Dance Pageant
Held each June since 1998 in Limassol and Nicosia, this highly-acclaimed dance pageant attracts dancers and famend choreographers from throughout Europe.
Not solely does the Worldwide Modern Dance Pageant characteristic the newest in modern dance traits however well-known artists additionally supply workshops for contributors.
One of many objectives of the group is to deliver collectively worldwide artists with native dance teams offering a base for collaborations and exchanges.
8. Make Music Cyprus
Though all of it started in Paris within the Nineteen Eighties, now, on June twenty first annually many nations have fun Make Music Day.
In Cyprus, the previous metropolis of Nicosia is the place to be on at the present time in June.
All around the metropolis, people and teams in a spread of genres current their very own number of music for everybody to take pleasure in.
Musicians and music lovers of all skills and types are inspired to play, sing, dance or simply take pleasure in at the present time set to world music.
9. Cherry Festivals of Cyprus
Each June when the cherries ripen, the villages of Kampos, Pedoulas, Platanistasa and Treis Elies within the Troodos Mountain have fun their very own distinctive Cherry Festivals.
Apart from cooking demonstrations of scrumptious meals that includes the brilliant candy fruit, the festivals have musicians, dancing and native marketplaces for conventional merchandise.
The cherry festivals are among the many finest free festivals in Cyprus. In any case, how are you going to resist brilliant pink cherries?
🌟 Professional Tip: The Pomegranate Pageant is one other annual occasion celebrating ruby pink fruit. It takes place on the finish of September in Ormidia.
10. Lavender Pageant
On the top of the lavender blooming season, CyHerbia Botanical Park & Labyrinth (Google Map) presents every part lavender.
From meals to drinks to necessities oils and crafts, the world is alive with the purple flowers and candy perfume of lavender.
The Lavender Pageant is a superb alternative to take pleasure in a quiet meditation among the many blooms or to have enjoyable getting misplaced within the lavender labyrinth.
🌟 Professional Tip: At all times take water and put on a hat throughout the day. It may well get sizzling right here throughout the summer time months.
July
11. Worldwide Pageant of Historical Greek Drama
© Worldwide Pageant of Historical Greek Drama)
Happening in July and August yearly, the Worldwide Pageant of Greek Drama attracts theatre firms and fanatics from all over the world.
Drama followers can expertise theatrical shows that span two millennia with out of doors performances within the archaeological amphitheatres of Paphos and Limassol, in addition to fashionable venues in Nicosia.
Historical Greek drama comes alive on this homage to the basic artwork kind. However lots of the performances are additionally progressive and share the distinctive cultural flavour of the nation presenting them.
This standard Cyprus pageant has been honoured as one among Europe’s best festivals.
August
12. AfroBanana Republic Pageant
That is positively the most important different musical pageant in Cyprus. It’s been held yearly for the final decade for five days in August and takes place alongside the coast from Polis.
The AfroBanana Republic Pageant payments itself as holistic and there’s one thing for most individuals. Apart from nice music, the pageant provides yoga, meditation, workshops, meals, tenting, and different household oriented actions.
The enjoyable takes place at Val’s Place Restaurant (Google Map) close to Gialia.
13. Paradise Jazz Pageant
Yearly since 1999 the Paradise Jazz Pageant has attracted jazz lovers from throughout Cyprus.
It began initially on the Paradise Bar in Pomo then moved to Val’s Place Restaurant (Google Map) ) close to Galia, Polis.
The thought was to encourage jazz musicians from numerous nations who dwell in Cyprus to return collectively and current their music.
Now, for two days in late August, native jazz fanatics and worldwide guests benefit from the rhythms and sounds of Cyprus jazz.
September
14. Limassol Wine Pageant
The largest wine pageant on the island has been celebrated right here since 1961. It’s really grow to be one of many most well-known festivals of Cyprus.
Held within the Municipal Gardens close to the seafront for two weeks on the finish of August and the primary week of September, the Limassol Wine Pageant and get together attracts hundreds of locals and guests.
With over 50 wineries in Cyprus, there may be lots to pattern together with meals stalls laden with conventional meals, in addition to music and dancing.
The vacationer board runs shuttle buses to/from the foremost cities so there isn’t a fear about having fun with an excessive amount of of Dionysus’ favorite drink.
Or, keep in Limassol itself. The Crowne Plaza Limassol is our best choice as the perfect resort to remain at throughout the pageant.
It’s close to the Municipal Park (the place the wine pageant is held) and has quick access to previous city, seashores and outlets.
Wine lovers also needs to e-book a full-day Wine Tour to Troodos Mountains. This escorted tour contains stops at three boutique and family-owned wineries, historic villages and Twelfth-century Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery.
Test charges and availability of a Full Day Wineries Tour within the Troodos Mountains on Viator.com
15. Working Marathons
Yearly Cyprus provides 3 main marathons alongside the south coast and one in Nicosia. These occasions are attracting increasingly world class runners.
Together with their family and friends, these athletes come for the race however keep for the seashores and sea.
16. Beer Festivals
One of many nice pleasures of Cyprus is a chilly beer on a sizzling summer time’s day.
The intense yellow label of Keo beer has been related to Cyprus since 1951 and must be tasted at the very least as soon as. It’s even on our checklist of must-try foods and drinks in Cyprus!
Apart from the big breweries, native microbreweries supply distinctive beers and ales that may be loved on the annual festivals in Paphos, Limassol and Nicosia.
The most important beer pageant in Cyprus is Septemberfest in Nicosia. Purchase tickets on-line prematurely.
When you miss the pageant season, sipping a craft beer (or a cider made with recent native fruit) at Aphrodite’s Rock Microbrewery is one among our favorite issues to do in Paphos.
17. Carob Pageant
Carob syrup is named Black Gold and is made by extracting syrup from its lengthy darkish seed pods. Within the early autumn, the village of Peyia pays homage to this historic tree and its fruit.
At this meals pageant you possibly can discover ways to cook dinner many conventional foods and drinks of Cyprus together with the potent liqueur Zivania.
Along with the meals on the Carob Pageant, you’ll take pleasure in demonstrations of weaving, gourd adorning and performances by Greek singers and dancers.
Fantastically set within the courtyard of Agios Georgios Pegeias church.
October
18. Ayia Napa Medieval Pageant
This is among the high festivals for historical past buffs! Image this: Ayia Napa in October, crammed with knights, dragons, stilt walkers, drum bands, and extra!
It’s like carnival time, however within the autumn and with a historical past twist.
The annual get together’s devoted to medieval occasions, and teams from throughout Europe be part of within the enjoyable of stepping again in time with a parade down the primary avenue to the traditional monastery.
A one-of-a-kind expertise it’s a must to see for your self!
November
19. Mushroom Pageant
Are you a foodie on the lookout for a memorable culinary expertise? Head to the picturesque village of Spilia within the Troodos Mountains for the annual Mushroom Pageant.
It’s some of the fascinating occasions in Cyprus for meals lovers.
Right here, you possibly can take pleasure in all kinds of mushroom dishes ready by the cooks of the Cyprus Cooks Affiliation. From mushroom gyros to soup and pasta, you’re in for an unforgettable deal with!
And that’s not all. The pageant additionally options leisure for youths, guided instructional walks within the forest, conventional dancing, and singing.
20. Cyprus Worldwide Movie Pageant (CIFF)
When you’re a fan of the silver display screen then don’t miss out on the Cyprus Worldwide Movie Pageant (CIFF).
Held yearly in Nicosia, it is among the most necessary occasions for cinema lovers and filmmakers from all around the world.
It’s really thought of one of many Prime 100 movie festivals worldwide in response to FilmFreeway.
Throughout this cultural occasion, you possibly can take pleasure in movie screenings, workshops and discussions with famend movie administrators, and interesting exhibitions.
December
21. Christmas Vacation Season in Cyprus
Christmas is often celebrated on December twenty fifth, in contrast to within the Greek Orthodox Church the place it’s celebrated in January.
What’s particularly fascinating is that in Cyprus, presents are opened on New 12 months’s Day to honour the Greek model of Santa Claus!
And naturally, meals performs a giant function in all Cypriot festivities.
You may’t resist attempting seasonal vacation treats like melomakarona (made with cinnamon and orange) and kourabiedes (with almond and sugar).
Last Ideas and Journey Planning Assets
These are just a few of the primary festivals and occasions on this fascinating island. So in the event you come for the solar, keep for the events!
For extra about Cyprus Tourism, go to the official web site Go to Cyprus.
Finest Lodge in Paphos
For a high 5-star resort in Paphos, strive the Elysium (Paradise in Greek mythology).
Not removed from the Tombs of Kings, this luxurious resort provides lush grounds, spectacular sea views, a multi-level out of doors pool, a spa, three worldwide eating places and out of doors eating by the ocean.
Test charges and availability on the Elysium Paphos on Reserving.com
Finest Lodge in Limassol
The Crowne Plaza Limassol is my best choice as the perfect resort in Limassol. It’s on the waterfront (a few km from the Municipal Park the place the Limassol Wine Pageant is held) and in addition provides quick access to the previous metropolis, outlets and seashores.
It has two swimming pools, indoor and out of doors, entry to a personal sea space, 5 eating places and bars, a fitness center, a spa and all the traditional luxuries. There are dearer motels however the Crowne Plaza is a transparent winner as a result of its prime location. It has all of the facilities a customer might need.
Test charges and availability of Crowne Plaza Limassol on Reserving.com.
Extra Cyprus Journey & World Festivals to Get pleasure from
FAQs
The Limassol Wine Pageant in September is the biggest and finest recognized pageant in Cyprus. However there are numerous different festivals and different annual occasions celebrating conventional meals, flowers, tradition and music that happen throughout the nation all year long.
The date for Carnival in Cyprus varies yearly. It’s held 50 days earlier than Orthodox Easter.
Save to Pinterest!
Canadian by delivery, Rick Powell has lived in Vancouver, in England and most lately in Cyprus. His writing contains fiction and non-fiction, in addition to articles for worldwide and native magazines. Stane Avenue, his historic travelogue, was lately revealed in England and his first historic thriller thriller, The Lacking Prisoner, is obtainable on Amazon. Be taught extra about Rick Powell.