6 top festivals in Cyprus
Cyprus hosts a number of annual religious and cultural festivals throughout the year which attract both locals and tourists from all over the world! Let’s take a look at 6 top festivals you shouldn’t miss when in Cyprus!
Limassol’s Carnival is one of the liveliest and most exciting festivals for both adults and children. The Carnival typically takes place end of February or early March depending on the Greek Orthodox Easter. The Carnival festival is a ten-day event filled with fancy-dress parties and parades. The King of the Carnival opens the festivities accompanied with decorated floats. Over the ten days, Limassol is transformed into a massive carnival party where masquerade parties, parades and competitions take place while everyone is in a festive mood. On the last day of the festival, a massive parade takes place in the centre of Limassol where hundreds gather to watch or take part in the festivities. The streets are filled with dancing masqueraded crowds, floats and the King of the Carnival closes the event.
Every June and July the Shakespeare Festival is held at Kourion, the ancient Roman-Greco amphitheatre and is a must-attend if you find yourselves in Paphos! Over the summer months, other musical and theatrical performances also take pace at the Kourion where internationally famous artists perform such as Vanessa Mae or Nana Mouskouri!
You’ve all heard of Coumandaria right? Well, Coumandaria is the local sweet red wine that has been made since antiquity in Cyprus! In August or September, head to the mountainous villages of Kourris Valley (the wine villages) and attend the Coumandaria Festival, where you’ll sip on this sweet delicious wine and celebrate the beginning of the grape harvest!
Limassol’s Wine Festival is yet another must event that takes place at the end of August annually at the Municipal Gardens by the seafront. The festival was first held in1961 with the intention of promoting the island’s local wines. The festival celebrates Cyprus’ wine history with lots of traditional music and dancing as well as local food and wines of course!
The Paphos Aphrodite Opera Festival is an extraordinary annual event that takes place in September in front of the Medieval Castle of Paphos. The festival attracts opera lovers from all around the world who gather to enjoy a three-day classical opera event filled with passion and love right under the stars!
Last but not least is the Medieval Festival of Ayia Napa that takes place every year in October. The festival takes place at the Medieval Monastery of the town where enthusiasts gather to watch medieval theatrical performances, music and dance concerts as well as costume events. You can also purchase traditional market products while strolling through the medieval stylised open-market and take part in medieval workshops where you can learn how to make traditional pots and baskets!
That’s all for now folks! Hope you all have fun at whichever festival you attend!