Festivals & events in Cyprus
Cypriots celebrate everything from film to fashion, Epiphany to Aphordite
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The final Grand Carnival Parade in Lemesos - © Cyprus Tourism Organisation
The following are the pick of annual events that happen in Cyprus. Further information and exact dates can be found nearer the time from flyers and seasonal guides available from hotels and tourist offices. Events listings can also be found in English-language newspapers and Time Out Cyprus for visitors. (see Cyprus fast facts A-Z for more information about toutist offices and media).
Critic's choice
Spring Historic Car Rally
When: early Mar
Where: Lemesos to Agia Napa
Website: www.fipa-cyprus.org.cy
A classic car event organised by the Friends of Historic & Old Cars.
International Music Festival at the Kourion Theatre
When: mid July
Where: Kourion Amphitheatre, Lemesos
Website: www.kourionfestival.com
Covering a variety of styles.
Wine Festival
When: late Aug-Sept
Where: Municipal Gardens, Lemesos
Website: www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy
12 days of Dionysian celebrations at this hugely popular event that has taken place annually since 1961, with casks of free wine from the local wine industries, as well as live music, theatre performances, traditional dances and food.
Pafos Aphrodite Festival
When: late Aug-Sept
Where: Medieval Fort, Pafos
Website: www.pafc.com.cy
Three-day open-air opera festival staged against the picturesque backdrop of Pafos Harbour.
Forest Park Rally
When: late Nov
Where: Platres, Troodos
Website: www.fipa-cyprus.org.cy
Classic car rally along winding mountain roads.
January
Agia Napa/Paralimni Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
European Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
Musical Sundays
When: Jan-Apr
Where: Larnaka Seafront Stage, Onisilos Seaside Theatre, Lemesos & Pafos Archaeological Park entrance
Website: www.visitcyprus.com
Traditional, classical and contemporary songs and dances every Sunday.
New Year International Regatta
When: early Jan
Where: Lemesos
Website: www.cya.org.cy
Organised by the Cyprus Yachting Association.
Epiphany Celebration
When: Jan 6
Where: various venues
In coastal towns, following a ceremonial blessing of the waters, the Holy Cross is flung into the sea by a priest, and men dive in to recover it.
February
Agia Napa/Paralimni Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
European Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
Musical Sundays
When: (see Jan)
Carnival
When: late Feb-early Mar
Where: Lemesos & Pafos
Website: www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy
Lemesos is the main home of carnival, with 11 days of festivities ending with the final Grand Carnival Parade. Pafos hosts two smaller events.
Cyprus Sunshine Cup
When: late Feb-Mar
Where: Tochni, Kalavasos & other venues
Website: www.mtbcyprus.com
International mountain bike race series.
March
Agia Napa/Paralimni Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
European Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
Musical Sundays
When: (see Jan)
Cyprus Sunshine Cup
When: (see Feb)
Green Monday
When: Feb/Mar
Where: throughout Cyprus
Public holiday marking the beginning of Lent. People take to the countryside to enjoy a veggie picnic and fly kites.
Dance Platform
When: early Mar
Where: Rialto Theatre, Lemesos
Website: www.rialto.com.cy
This three-day festival is the island’s premier contemporary dance event.
Spring Historic Car Rally
When: early Mar
Where: Lemesos to Agia Napa
Website: www.fipa-cyprus.org.cy
A classic car event organised by the Friends of Historic & Old Cars.
Troodos International FIS Races
When: early Mar
Where: Dias Slope, Troodos
Website: www.cyprusski.com
Organised by the Cyprus Ski Federation.
Cyprus Marathon
When: mid Mar
Where: Pafos
Website: www.cyprusmarathon.com
Three different events: a marathon, half marathon and 10km road race.
Cyprus Film Days
When: mid-late Mar
Where: Rialto Theatre, Lemesos, Pantheon Art Cinema, Nicosia & Cine Studio, Nicosia
Website: www.filmfestival.com.cy
Presenting what’s new on the international indie film scene, this week-long movie fest screens notable independent productions and recent releases.
Cyprus Rally
When: mid Mar
Where: various venues
Website: www.cyprusrally.com.cy
The return of the Cyprus leg of the World Rally Championship means rally fans can once again watch fast cars tear through the island’s countryside.
Fashion Week
When: late Mar Cyprus
Where: Famagusta Gate, Nicosia
Website: www.cyprusfashionweek.com
Cypriots adore designer labels as much as they love supporting a local name made good, so the only surprising thing about Cyprus Fashion Week (CFW) (p33) is that it took so long to arrive. Then again, everything in Cyprus happens siga siga – ‘slowly slowly’.
CFW made its grand entrance in March 2008, and after a rapturous reception returned to the runway in October of the same year. It’s now due to become a permanent, twice-yearly fixture. The Cypriot dispensation for latching on to anything new made the event an instant success, and the society pages were filled with photos of sharply dressed fashion industry insiders, editors and pop stars out in force. Organised by the local edition of Harper’s Bazaar magazine and the Cyprus Fashion Designers’ Association, the only part of the event open to the public is the exhibition space in the atmospheric Famagusta Gate Cultural Centre (p97), where the catwalk shows also take place.
The event is a huge boost to local designers, whose sterling work takes centre stage. Internationally known Erotokritos presented his collection in the first ever runway show. Soon after, in February 2009, he opened his first boutique in Cyprus, to go with his two Paris stores and his concession in Selfridges. Karl Lagerfeld muse and French supermodel-turned-designer Inès de la Fressange was another notable presence.
Documentary Film Festival
When: late Mar Nicosia International
Where: Nicosia
Website: www.cyprusdocfest.org
Five-day documentary film festival.
April
Musical Sundays
When: (see Jan)
Berengaria International Music Festival
When: early Apr
Where: Rialto Theatre, Lemesos
Website: www.festivalberengaria.com
Chamber and solo music performances by international stars.
Ledra Music Soloists International Festival
When: mid Apr
Where: PASYDY Auditorium, Nicosia
Two-week chamber music festival.
Easter Celebrations
When: Apr/May
Where: throughout Cyprus
The most important Greek Orthodox religious feast is celebrated with evening processions on Good Friday, outdoor midnight mass on Easter Saturday and traditional games on Easter Sunday and Monday.
Cyprus Amateur Open
When: late Apr/early May
Where: Secret Valley Golf Club/Aphrodite Hills Golf Club, Pafos
Website: www.cgf.org.cy
A Cyprus Golf Federation event.
May
Cyprus Amateur Open
When: (see Apr)
European Dance Festival
When: May-June
Where: Rialto Theatre, Lemesos
Website: www.rialto.com.cy
Contemporary dance companies from a dozen or so countries around Europe send teams to compete with Cypriot dance troupes.
Anthestiria Flower Festival
When: mid-late May
Where: Larnaka, Lemesos & Pafos
Website: www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy
Featuring exhibitions, flower markets and shows, the festival culminates in a colourful flower parade.
Aphrodite Rally
When: late May
Where: Lemesos to Pafos
Website: www.fipa-cyprus.org.cy
Classic car rally.
Pharos International Chamber Music Festival
When: late May-June
Where: PASYDY Auditorium, Nicosia & Royal Manor House, Kouklia, Pafos
Website: www.thepharostrust.org
A week of chamber concerts, recitals and lectures.
June
European Dance Festival
When: (see May)
Pharos International Chamber Music Festival
When: (see June)
Pentecost (Kataklysmos)
When: early June
Where: throughout Cyprus
50 days after Greek Orthodox Easter, the Festival of the Flood features waterfights, swimming and boat races.
Images and Views of Alternative Cinema
When: mid June
Where: Theatro Ena, Lefkosia (Nicosia)
Website: www.filmfestival.com.cy
Events and film screenings celebrating experimental and avant-garde films.
June Shakespeare Festival
When: mid-late
Where: Kourion Amphitheatre, Lemesos
The stunning setting of the ancient amphitheatre (also known as Curium) is used to stage plays by the Bard.
July
Larnaka Summer Festival
When: early July
Where: Larnaka Fort & Pattichion Amphitheatre
Outdoor concerts; past shows include Grease, the West End musical.
Ethnic Festival
When: mid July
Where: Behind Plateia Iroon, Lemesos
Global music performances.
The Great Ballet Companies
When: mid July
Where: Municipal Garden Theatre, Lemesos
Weekend dance festival.
International Music Festival at the Kourion Theatre
When: mid July
Where: Kourion Amphitheatre, Lemesos
Website: www.kourionfestival.com
Covering a variety of styles.
International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama
When: July-Aug
Where: Kourion Amphitheatre, Makarios III Amphitheatre, Lekosia & Pafos Ancient Odeon
Website: www.cyprus-theatre-iti.org
Epic adventures and heroism from the great dramatists are conjured up by companies from around the world, performing in various languages in three magnificent ancient theatres.
Commandaria Festival
When: late July
Where: Alassa, Agios Georgios, Doros, Laneia, Monagri & Silikou
The villages of the Kourris Valley hold the annual festival dedicated to the delicious dessert wine.
Summer Dance Festival
When: late July-early Aug
Where: Lemesos
Performances are held in unusual, public spaces in this week-long dance festival, aimed at engaging non-theatre-going audiences.
August
International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama
When: (see July)
Summer Dance Festival
When: (see July)
Lemesos International Documentary Festival
When: early Aug
Where: B Municipal Market (Theatro Ena), Lemesos
Website: www.filmfestival.com.cy
The main platform for projecting contemporary, creative documentary in Cyprus with screenings, talks and workshops organised by non-profit body Brave New Culture.
Wine Festival
When: late Aug-Sept
Where: Municipal Gardens, Lemesos
Website: www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy
12 days of Dionysian celebrations at this hugely popular event that has taken place annually since 1961, with casks of free wine from the local wine industries, as well as live music, theatre performances, traditional dances and food.
Pafos Aphrodite Festival
When: late Aug-Sept
Where: Medieval Fort, Pafos
Website: www.pafc.com.cy
Three-day open-air opera festival staged against the picturesque backdrop of Pafos Harbour.
September
Wine Festival
When: (see Aug)
Kypria
Where: Various venues
When: Sept-Oct
This international multi-arts festival is one of the most significant cultural events in Cyprus. Established in 1991 by the Ministry of Education and Culture, its previous participants include Martha Graham Dance Company, Ute Lemper and Tap Dogs.
Urban Soul Festival
Where: Tripoli Park, Nicosia Moat
When: late Sept
Website: www.urbansoulfestival.com
The park fills with art for this one-day event, brimming with work from graphic designers, sculptors, multimedia artists and independent publishers, all swaying to an eclectic soundtrack (hip hop, reggae, fusion, electronic).
Agia Napa Festival
Where: Agia Napa Harbour
When: late Sept
Three-day event including traditional food, arts, crafts, music and dances.
October
Kypria
When: (see Sept)
Independence Day Celebrations
When: Oct 1
Where: throughout Cyprus
The main event of this public holiday is a big military parade which takes place in the centre of the capital.
Lemesia
When: mid-late Oct
Where: Lemesia
Website: www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy
One of the biggest annual international sporting events in Cyprus. During the ten days, athletes from several countries compete in boxing, karate, triathlon, marathon, shooting, rhythmic gymnastics, cycling and more.
Cyprus Fashion Week
When: (see also Mar)
Where: Famagusta Gate, Nicosia
Website: www.cyprusfashionweek.com
Second outing of the year for the designers.
November
European Cultural Winter
When: Nov-Mar
Where: Larnaka Municipal Theatre
Website: www.larnaka.com
Annual arts festival which in the past has included ballet, classical music, jazz and cinema from local and international performers.
Agia Napa/Paralimni Cultural Winter
When: Nov-Mar
Where: Agia Napa, Paralimni
Dance and music every Thursday in Agia Napa and every Friday in neighbouring Paralimni.
Cyprus International 4-Day Challenge
When: late Nov
Where: Akamas, Pafos
Website: www.cypruschallenge.com
Scenic marathon in Akamas.
Forest Park Rally
When: late Nov
Where: Platres, Troodos
Website: www.fipa-cyprus.org.cy
Classic car rally along winding mountain roads.
December
Agia Napa/Paralimni Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
European Cultural Winter
When: (see Nov)
New Year’s Eve
When: Dec 31
Where: Plateia Eleftherias, Nicosia
Music and foreworks see in the New Year. There are similar celebrations across the island.
Public holidays
The following are public holidays in the Republic of Cyprus. All public services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on public holidays, though many shops and certain services remain open in resorts and coastal areas. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not Christmas Eve. Note that the two weeks around August 15 are the most popular time for Cypriots to take their holidays, so coastal resorts are extremely busy during this time.
New Year’s Day Jan 1
Epiphany Jan 6
Green Monday (50 days before Greek Orthodox Easter) Feb/Mar
Greek National Day March 25
National Anniversary Day April 1
Good Friday & Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church) April/May
Labour Day May 1
Pentecost (Kataklysmos) May/June
Assumption of the Virgin Mary Aug 15
Cyprus Independence Day Oct 1
Greek National Anniversary Day Oct 28
Christmas Eve Dec 24
Christmas Day Dec 25
Boxing Day Dec 26
Comments
The Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO) in collaboration with Express Yourself Healthy are organising a fundraising art and handicraft exhibition (wonderful handcrafted Christmas Gifts - art, sculpture, jewelry, gifts for the house, toys) with profit from sales going to the Association to help build their new shelter. The artists taking part are: Pin/Πιν, George Irakleous, Victoras Xenodoxides, Christian Stoian, Anna Georghallides, Anastasia Charalambous, Michalis Onisiforou, Christos Fourlas, Phoenix Trading, Lena Spanou, Kyriakos Mouroudis, Koula Kalvari, Sarah Fenwick, Spirit Soap and Huseyin Sako. Exhibited will also be a sculpture that has applied to be included in the Guinness Book of Records. At the opening on December 7th at 7pm there will be a World Premiere of two Arias written and performed by Nicholas Leventis. Also screening will be 'Don't Make a Sound'...directed by Al Davidian and puppet mastery family shows by Lena Spanou. The exhibition will be opened by the Mayor of Aglantzia, Mr. Costas Kortas.
Skali Aglantzia
Opening Friday Dec 7th - 19:00 to 22:00
Exhibition Duration Dec 8 & 9 - 17:00 - 22:00
An important annual event is the Mind, Body & Spirit Exhibition!
The next one takes place at the Hilton Park Hotel in Nicosia on November 17th & 18th - see http://www.mbscyprus.com/ for details!
Coming to the shores of Cyprus to kick-start your Christmas Celebrations, we are proud to announce the world renowned No1 Michael Jackson Impersonator himself – Navi will be staging The Michael Jackson Show – The Navi Experience at The Pavilion, Nicosia. For those of you who don’t know Navi you will be amazed at the lengths this guy has gone through to get the looks, the moves and essentially the experience that the late Michael had to offer. Not only has Navi pulled in the crowds like no other impersonator to date could ever dream of, he has worked alongside, performed for and is now part of The Jackson Family business. For all the Michael Jackson fans out there, this is NOT to be missed!! Get your tickets now at http://themichaeljacksonnavishowcyprus-lseear.eventbrite.com
Or contact us at
events@anightwiththestars.tv
www.anightwiththestars.tv
Moscow Fine Art
A new Cyprus Company, was created with passion for presenting leading Russian Ballet performances before audience of Cyprus. Distinguished performances inspire with original concepts, new ideas and findings in the field of art.
We are proud to start with 2 ballet performances «Moscow Midnight Sun» and «The Evening Bells», both productions are innovative and are united by one common idea.
For the first time different ballet schools were incorporated into one performance: classical dance intertwined with folk, modern dance and contemporary ballet. Folk dance absorbs classic ballet and both move intricately into the modern style.
All styles of ballet are united by one shared idea of love, passion, jealousy, sadness and hope that life goes on and sadness will be followed by happiness!
«Moscow Midnight Sun»
Friday, October 5, 2012 at 20:00
Curium Ancient Theater (Kourion)
«The Evening Bells»
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 20:00
Municipal Gardens Theater, Limassol
Visit our web site www.sabitovaballet.com and
www.facebook.com/MoscowFineArtCY .
Tickets are available in box offices and via 99228286.
Απογοητευτικος ο Αγγελακας στην τελευταια του συναυλια επιμενει να μην ερμηνευει παλιες του επιτυχιες με τις οποιες αγαπηθηκε και να υποτιμα με αυτον τον τροπο τον ιδιο του τον εαυτο αλλα και μας που περιμενουμε με τοση αγωνια τις συναυλιες του! Δεν φτανει που μας εστησε τοσες φορες την τελευταια στιγμη με ακυρωσεις δεν φτανει που αποφασισε να κανει προβα την τελευταια στιγμη και περιμεναμε εξω στο κρυο 3 τεταρτα παρουσιασε κομματια τα οποια τα ειχε ξαναπει στον ιδιο χωρο πριν 10 χρονια και ηταν πολυ ασχημη η συμπεριφορα του στον κοσμο που πηγε να τον δει και στεκομασταν ο ενας πανω στον αλλον περιμενοντας να ακουσουμε ενα κομματι αγαπημενο και να ροκαρουμε, Αρκετα ανεχτηκαμε τις ιδιοτροπιες του. Εγω μετα απο 24 χρονια του λεω ΤΕΛΟΣ!!!
The Exotic Drive is an event that is hosted twice so far but is something amazing if you like cars and especially the super cars. The Exotic Drive is a charity event that is organized and hosted by www.AutoKinisis.com with its main target to support the "Make A Wish" foundation. Next one is expected to be between May and June of 2012. Dont miss this out..
The most elite and luxurious cars with their drivers are gathered from all around the island of Cyprus to participate in this unique event. With selected starting and finishing points and choosen driving roots the cars are driving through the roots to select various contributions and donations from the public.
gooddey to you all in cyprus,
i am sathur o from nigeria the ceo of goreign group of company.we are also into distribution of wine.sppirit and champaign.we have been hearing about wine festival in cyprus.pls,kindly give information about the wine festival that is come up on november/december 2010/2011.we w ill be very greatfull to hear from you
thanks
sathur o
gooddey to you al in cyprus,
i am sathur o from nigeria the ceo of goreign group of company.we are also into distribution of wine.sporit and champaign.we have been hearing about wine festival in cyprus.pls,kindly give information about the wine festival that is come up on november/december 2010/2011.wew ill be very greatfull to hear from you
thanks
sathur o
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