Cyprus Festivals

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Cyprus Festivals

As Cyprus is largely Greek Orthodox, many of the island's festival are religious in origin.

Carnival and Religious Festivals

Apokreo - Limassol Carnival: The Apokreo are carnival festivals that occur before Easter every year throughout Cyprus. Limassol Carnival is one of the largest. Every year, two weeks before the Greek Orthodox Lenten period, Limassol Carnival kicks off during Kreatini (meat week), the last chance for the consumption of meat before Easter. There are parades, fancy-dress parties, music and games in the streets of Limassol.

• For more information about Limassol Carnival from the Municipality of Limassol: Click here

Green Monday: This signifies the beginning of Lent and towns and villages throughout Cyprus offer music, dancing and meat-free delicacies. Many Cypriot families picnic and barbeque, and in Paphos, a kite-flying competition is very popular. 

Easter: Greek Orthodox Easter isn't a festival per se, but it is considered the most important holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon of the Spring equinox, it is a time of renewal, with people cleaning, cooking and buying new clothing during the Holy Week before Easter. On Easter Sunday and Monday, families feast and play games.

Kataklysmos: The Festival of the Flood takes place annually 40 days after Easter. The origins of this festival are debated; some claim it began with ancient ceremonies honouring Aphrodite and Adonis, others believe it's a tribute to Noah's survival in his Ark or or a celebration of Lazarus being resurrected and coming ashore. As with most other festivals, music, dancing and food are plentiful. Many towns host boating and swimming competitions. During the festival it is customary to splash other participants with water.

Spring and Summer Festivals

Anthestiria Flower Festival: Generally in May, the Flower Festival in the streets of Paphos is believed to have originated in celebrations honouring Dionysus, the protector of the theatre. Today it is more a celebration of the bounty of Spring. The festival features a parade of flower-decorated floats marking springtime in Cyprus.

Ancient Greek Drama Festival: An annual event in Limassol District, the drama festival held in the Theatre of Citrium has performances, in Greek, of the ancient Greek dramas.

• For more information on the festival from the Cyprus Centre of International Theatre Institute: Click here

Ayia Napa Children's Festival: Annually in June, the Ayia Napa Children's Festival offers entertainment for kids, including dance and musical performances, games, fair, face painting and sports contests. In the Ayia Napa square.

Limassol Beer Festival: Every July, Limassol puts on the Limassol Beer Festival. Local and imported beer is on offer as is live music.

Limassol Wine Festival: Several weeks of wine tastings, dancing, music and Cypriot foods at the Municipal Gardens during evenings in late August and early September.

• More information from the Limassol Municipality: Click here

Ayia Napa International Festival: An annual festival in September to promote and celebrate the town of Ayia Napa and Cypriot culture, through music, dance, theatre, art exhibits and food. In the Ayia Napa square.