Top 10 traditional festivals you need to experience in Cyprus
Cyprus is a country where people still bake bread in wood-fired ovens, gather grapes in the fall, and remember the stories their grandparents told them by heart. It’s where music isn’t background noise — it’s a reason to gather, dance, and pass something on. And nowhere is this spirit more alive than in its festivals.
For Cypriots, festivals are not just events — they’re traditions kept warm and alive through generations. They’re the moments when villages open their arms to visitors, where kids run barefoot through flower petals, and older women pass out sweets they’ve been making the same way for decades. Some festivals celebrate ancient gods, others honor harvests, saints, or even strawberries. But they all have one thing in common: they bring people together — not for show, but for real.
So if you’re planning a trip to Cyprus and want to see the island beyond the guidebook pages, go where the locals go. Join them. Listen to the music, try the sweets, watch the parades, ask about the stories behind them — and stay a little longer than planned.
Here are 10 of the most authentic, heartfelt festivals on the island — each with its own story, flavor, and reason to come back again.
Limassol Wine Festival
Where: Limassol / Limassol Municipal Gardens
When: Late August to Early September
Tips: Come around sunset — cooler temps, warmer vibes. Try Commandaria and other native varieties. Grab a plate of meze — olives, halloumi, loukoumades — perfect with your glass.
When: Late August to Early September
Tips: Come around sunset — cooler temps, warmer vibes. Try Commandaria and other native varieties. Grab a plate of meze — olives, halloumi, loukoumades — perfect with your glass.
The Limassol Wine Festival, dating back to 1961, was born from a simple idea: bring winemakers together and let people enjoy their craft in a festive city setting. Held in the shaded Sarayonu park, this 10-day event offers everything from large wineries to small experimental producers.
Legend says the ancient dessert wine Commandaria — one of the oldest named wines in the world — was recognized here. Some even claim it traces back to the 13th-century Knights Templar, who left barrels behind as they crossed Cyprus. Local monks continued the tradition.
Rose Festival in Agros
Where: Agros / Glafkos Clerides Sports Centre
When: May
Tips: Try rose jam and the fragrant liqueur. Join a rose soap workshop. Don’t skip the homemade pastries locals sell — a warm heart in every bite.
When: May
Tips: Try rose jam and the fragrant liqueur. Join a rose soap workshop. Don’t skip the homemade pastries locals sell — a warm heart in every bite.
Agros becomes a village of perfume and pink every May. Thousands come to see the Damask roses bloom. People stroll through fields, join workshops, and taste rose-infused treats.
It is said that a pilgrim girl once brought a rose cutting from Jerusalem, planting it in Agros where it thrived thanks to the bright sun and fertile soil. In the 19th century, monks began distilling rose water and producing jam from this rare type.
You can find grandmothers boiling rose jam over open flames, children parading with wreaths, and musicians playing on wooden balconies. The scent of roses truly covers the whole village.
Anthestiria Festival
Where: Limassol / Germasogeia Dam
When: May
Tips: Bring your flowers — you can join in decorating. Watch the parade from the marina for the best view. Try street food sold along the parade — simple, tasty, unforgettable.
When: May
Tips: Bring your flowers — you can join in decorating. Watch the parade from the marina for the best view. Try street food sold along the parade — simple, tasty, unforgettable.
The Anthestiria festival, also known as the Flower Festival, is an annual celebration in Cyprus, particularly in May, that honors the arrival of spring and the beauty of nature. The grand parade includes colorful floats, dancing kids, and floral costumes.
Inspired by ancient Greek rituals celebrating Dionysus, young women used to lay floral paths for warriors going off to battle. Today, it’s a city-wide celebration of growth, renewal, and creativity.
Pharos Chamber Music Festival
Where: Kouklia / Royal Manor House
When: Late May
Tips: Book ahead — it sells out fast. Arrive early for a guided tour and pre-concert wine.
When: Late May
Tips: Book ahead — it sells out fast. Arrive early for a guided tour and pre-concert wine.
A World-Class Festival in the Heart of Cyprus
Recognized as one of Europe’s leading classical music festivals, the International Pharos Chamber Music Festival has been transforming the cultural landscape of Cyprus since 2001. As the island’s most prestigious annual classical event, it has hosted over 150 exceptional concerts featuring world-renowned soloists, ensembles, and orchestras. With its enchanting atmosphere and impeccable quality, the festival has become a must-visit destination for music lovers from across the globe — and a cultural highlight of Cyprus’ spring season.
A Medieval Setting Steeped in History
The Festival unfolds in the atmospheric Royal Manor House in Kouklia, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the finest examples of Frankish architecture in Cyprus. Once a gathering place for knights and nobles, the manor now welcomes global talents for intimate chamber performances. Imagine baroque music resonating under ancient stone arches and stained glass — where acoustics meet history in perfect harmony.
An Experience that Resonates Far Beyond Music
More than just a concert series, the Pharos Festival builds community and accessibility. It was the first to bring chamber music to Cyprus’ rural communities and continues to inspire both locals and visitors with its unique blend of artistry and tradition. Whether you're a devoted classical enthusiast or discovering chamber music for the first time, this festival invites you into a space where time slows, and every note matters.
Street Life Festival
Where: Limassol / Saripolou
When: May
Tips: Come early to see murals being made. Stay late for the lights and music. Shop for handmade prints and funky tees.
When: May
Tips: Come early to see murals being made. Stay late for the lights and music. Shop for handmade prints and funky tees.
Started in 2007 by a group of graffiti artists, this festival transforms a quiet neighborhood into an open-air gallery. It’s a mix of street art, live music, food stalls, and creative chaos.
What began with a few paint cans now draws artists from all over Europe. Locals offer their walls as canvases, and a new mural might pop up on a bakery or a garage door overnight.
You can meet artists sleeping in tents, spending days on their creations. The scent of noodles and falafel, mixed with the sound of jazz and DJs, fills the streets. It’s messy, fun, and totally alive.
Ayia Napa Medieval Festival
Where: Ayia Napa / Monastery Square
When: October
Tips: Arrive early to enjoy the sunset atmosphere and beat the crowds.
Try the medieval mead or Cypriot honey pastries sold at the bazaar.
Wear comfortable shoes — the monastery grounds and festival paths are cobbled.
Bring cash for food stalls and handmade souvenirs.
Costumes aren't required, but you won’t be the only one in a cape!
When: October
Tips: Arrive early to enjoy the sunset atmosphere and beat the crowds.
Try the medieval mead or Cypriot honey pastries sold at the bazaar.
Wear comfortable shoes — the monastery grounds and festival paths are cobbled.
Bring cash for food stalls and handmade souvenirs.
Costumes aren't required, but you won’t be the only one in a cape!
Medieval Magic in Agia Napa
Every October, the heart of Agia Napa transforms into a living storybook during the Medieval Festival, one of Europe’s largest historical celebrations. From October 12–19, 2024, the town time-travels back to the Middle Ages — with fair maidens, dragons, armored knights, and mystical folklore brought to life in the shadow of the iconic Ayia Napa Monastery.
Expect daily performances of music, storytelling, street theater, and historical reenactments by artists from Cyprus and across Europe. Winding through the monastery square, you’ll find medieval-style markets with handmade goods, traditional food, and exhibitions of embroidery, weaponry, and textiles — echoing the crafts of centuries past.
Expect daily performances of music, storytelling, street theater, and historical reenactments by artists from Cyprus and across Europe. Winding through the monastery square, you’ll find medieval-style markets with handmade goods, traditional food, and exhibitions of embroidery, weaponry, and textiles — echoing the crafts of centuries past.
Step Into the Legend
What once served as a 16th-century Venetian trading post becomes a stage for magic and memory. Beneath lantern-lit skies, costumed dancers swirl to the sound of lutes, fire dancers light up the night, and whispers of ancient tales drift between stone walls.
Join a candlelit medieval waltz, try your hand at axe-throwing, or follow storytellers on immersive walking tours. Whether you're drawn by the spectacle or the sense of wonder, the Medieval Festival of Agia Napa offers a world where history and fantasy meet.
Join a candlelit medieval waltz, try your hand at axe-throwing, or follow storytellers on immersive walking tours. Whether you're drawn by the spectacle or the sense of wonder, the Medieval Festival of Agia Napa offers a world where history and fantasy meet.
Deryneia Strawberry Festival
Where: Deryneia
When: May (Every two years)
Tips: Check the year — it’s not annual. Join jam-making workshops and take some home.
When: May (Every two years)
Tips: Check the year — it’s not annual. Join jam-making workshops and take some home.
A juicy celebration in one of Cyprus’s main strawberry-growing villages. Farmers showcase their best fruit — along with strawberry cocktails, cakes, and everything in between.
Since the 1980s, Deryneia’s rich soil has supported lush berry fields. Exports to the UK and Germany fund many local families. The festival honors their craft and harvest.
You can sip smoothies fresh from the sorting station and watch kids ride little red strawberry-themed trains. Local choirs sang folk songs in strawberry costumes — unforgettable!ф
Pastelli Festival in Anogyra
Where: Anogyra / Anogyra Village Square
When: September
Tips: Arrive early to catch the traditional Pasteli-making demonstration.
Try and buy: Taste Pasteli and take home local carob-based products.
Stay for the evening performances and enjoy the live concert in the village square.
When: September
Tips: Arrive early to catch the traditional Pasteli-making demonstration.
Try and buy: Taste Pasteli and take home local carob-based products.
Stay for the evening performances and enjoy the live concert in the village square.
Nestled in the hills of Limassol, the picturesque village of Anogyra invites you each September to celebrate one of Cyprus’s most beloved traditional sweets: Pasteli, made from carob syrup and sesame seeds. With Anogyra known as a historic hub for carob production, this festival marks the carob harvest season and showcases the cultural and culinary heritage tied to this “black gold.”
In September, the village square comes alive with music, dancing, and the delicious scent of fresh carob syrup bubbling over open flames. The highlight is the live demonstration of traditional Pasteli-making — a slow, hands-on process that reflects the care and patience behind this ancient treat.
In September, the village square comes alive with music, dancing, and the delicious scent of fresh carob syrup bubbling over open flames. The highlight is the live demonstration of traditional Pasteli-making — a slow, hands-on process that reflects the care and patience behind this ancient treat.
Beyond the sweet, the Pasteli Festival is a full-day celebration of village life. You'll find local producers selling handmade carob products, natural cosmetics, and Cypriot delicacies. Traditional music and dance performances fill the square, culminating in a live concert by well-known Greek artists.
Whether you're a food lover, a culture seeker, or simply looking for an authentic village experience, this festival offers a taste of something truly Cypriot — sweet, soulful, and rich in tradition.
Whether you're a food lover, a culture seeker, or simply looking for an authentic village experience, this festival offers a taste of something truly Cypriot — sweet, soulful, and rich in tradition.
AfroBanana Republic Festival
Where: Lefkosia / Municipal park and theater
When: June
Tips: Stay the whole weekend: The full experience comes alive over four days — including late-night sets, installations, and spontaneous happenings.
Bring your curiosity: Take part in workshops, join creative sessions, and engage with artists and installations.
When: June
Tips: Stay the whole weekend: The full experience comes alive over four days — including late-night sets, installations, and spontaneous happenings.
Bring your curiosity: Take part in workshops, join creative sessions, and engage with artists and installations.
A Festival Rooted in Creativity
What started over a decade ago as AfroBanana has evolved into Alternative Brains Rule Festival (ABR Festival) — Cyprus’s leading alternative celebration of music, art, and innovation. Launched by a group of local creatives, this non-profit event is a true grassroots movement. Its mission? To support homegrown talent, build bridges between artistic disciplines, and offer a collaborative space for expression and experimentation.
A Vibrant Cultural Playground
The festival now unfolds in Lefkosia, the heart of Cyprus, transforming the city into a four-day immersive experience. Across three stages, expect an eclectic soundscape — from Afro-funk and jazz to world beats and underground house. Street artists paint vibrant murals live, while hands-on workshops invite everyone to dive into creativity. It’s a full-spectrum celebration of music, art, and ideas — fueled by connection and community.
Where Art Meets Innovation
Organized by Alternative Brains Rule (ABR), a team of young visionaries from diverse creative backgrounds, the festival champions originality and experimental spirit. It’s not just a music event — it’s a living platform for collaboration, discovery, and transformation, bringing together artists from Cyprus and beyond in an inclusive, open-minded atmosphere.
International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama
Where: Paphos, Limassol, Nicosia
When: July–early August
Tips: Book in advance: Performances often sell out — especially those in the stunning Kourion theatre. Bring a light jacket: Evenings can get breezy in open-air venues. Check the program: Each performance brings a unique cultural lens to ancient Greek drama — pick the ones that intrigue you most.
When: July–early August
Tips: Book in advance: Performances often sell out — especially those in the stunning Kourion theatre. Bring a light jacket: Evenings can get breezy in open-air venues. Check the program: Each performance brings a unique cultural lens to ancient Greek drama — pick the ones that intrigue you most.
Since its launch in 1997, the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama has brought to life the powerful stories of ancient Greece, bridging cultures and centuries. Organized annually by the Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute and the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the Festival invites acclaimed theatre companies from across the globe to present their unique interpretations of classic Greek texts — in their own language and style.
From Germany to Korea, Italy to Israel, over 135 theatre groups from 24+ countries have participated, adding their voices to a centuries-old conversation about humanity, power, fate, and freedom.
From Germany to Korea, Italy to Israel, over 135 theatre groups from 24+ countries have participated, adding their voices to a centuries-old conversation about humanity, power, fate, and freedom.
Held in some of Cyprus’s most iconic ancient venues — including the Kourion Amphitheatre, the Paphos Ancient Odeon, and the Makarios III Amphitheatre in Nicosia — the Festival offers more than a performance: it’s an experience. As the sun sets and the amphitheatres fill with anticipation, audiences become part of a living cultural ritual that transcends language and time. Whether you're a theatre lover or a curious traveler, this summer tradition offers a powerful and poetic way to connect with the spirit of Cyprus.
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