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Through the year

Cyprus Atlas

Festivals in Cyprus

The feasts and festivals of the Cypriot year, month by month, from the blessing of the waters in January to the Christmas lights. The dates of the feasts that move with Easter are worked out for this year and the next.

  1. Public holiday

    Epiphany (Fota)

    Every seafront and harbour

    The blessing of the waters: after the morning service a cross is thrown into the sea and swimmers dive to bring it back.

  2. Limassol Carnival

    Limassol, and smaller ones in Paphos and other towns

    Parades and parties from Tsiknopempti (the Thursday of grilled meat) to the grand parade on the Sunday before Green Monday.

    Fancy dress and carnival costumes
  3. Public holiday

    Green Monday

    All over Cyprus, in the countryside

    The first day of Lent: picnics in the country, Lenten food without meat or dairy, and kites in the sky.

  4. Public holiday

    Greek Independence Day

    School and town parades

    Parades of schools and groups in every town.

  5. Public holiday

    Easter

    Every church and village

    The biggest feast of the year: the procession of the Epitaphios on Good Friday, the midnight service and bonfires on Saturday night, flaounes and a family meal on Sunday.

  6. Anthestiria flower festivals

    Several towns, among them Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos

    Spring festivals with floats and children’s parades decorated with flowers. Each town sets its own dates.

  7. Public holiday

    Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)

    Seaside towns, above all Larnaca

    Pentecost by the sea: stalls, music, boat races and splashing water along the seafront, for several days around the holiday Monday.

  8. Public holiday

    Assumption of the Virgin Mary

    Villages with a church of the Virgin Mary

    The great summer feast: services and village fairs (panigyria) with food, music and stalls.

  9. Limassol Wine Festival

    Limassol Municipal Garden

    Wine tasting from Cypriot wineries, food and music in the Municipal Garden. The municipality announces the dates each year.

  10. Kypria International Festival

    Theatres and open-air venues across Cyprus

    The state’s autumn festival of music, theatre and dance, with Cypriot and visiting artists.

  11. Public holiday

    Ochi Day

    School and town parades

    Parades of schools and groups in every town.

  12. Public holiday

    Christmas

    Town centres

    Lights in the town centres and Christmas markets through December, then the family feast.

Good to know

When is the Limassol Carnival?

In the eleven days before Green Monday, so it moves with Easter: it starts on Tsiknopempti and ends with the grand parade on the Sunday before Green Monday. This year’s dates are shown above.

What is Kataklysmos?

The Festival of the Flood, held at Pentecost, fifty days after Easter. Seaside towns, above all Larnaca, hold several days of stalls, music and games by the sea around the holiday Monday.

Which of these days are public holidays?

Epiphany, Green Monday, 25 March, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday, Kataklysmos Monday, 15 August, 28 October and Christmas are public holidays. See the full list of public holidays.

Where do I find what is on this week?

In the events listing, where concerts, theatre, festivals and markets are added every day.

Feasts tied to Easter are worked out from the date of Orthodox Easter; fixed feasts keep their date. Festivals a town or an organiser sets each year are shown with the month they are usually held in: check the organiser for the exact dates.