Annual Events
JANUARY
Epiphany: 6th January.
FEBRUARY
CARNIVAL TIME - LIMASSOL:
The spectacular Limassol carnival.
From Contact 62:
ΤΣΙΚΝΟΠΈΜΠΤΗ/ TSIKNOPEMPTI:
‘Smelly Thursday’ for want of a better translation!
Tsiknopempti is the celebration marking the first of the annual 10 days of the fun of the Carnival, which culminates in the major celebrations such as the Grand Parade in Limassol on Sunday the 14th. The following Monday, the 15th, is Green (or “Clean”) Monday, which marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent leading up to the most important Easter Celebrations of the Orthodox Church.
A kinder translation is “Barbecue, or Burnt Thursday”, because in fact tsiknopempti refers to the strong smell of meat being barbecued - as opposed to the “clean” food of Green Monday: mezedes of loukanika (strong Cyprus sausage), lountza, pork, and sheftalia are cooked and then drenched with lemon. Calorie-laden and delicious!
GREEN MONDAY
see Religious Festivals, Churches tab.
EASTER
MARATHONS: PAPHOS and
LIMASSOL INTERNATIONAL MARATHON
MARCH
APRIL
EASTER FESTIVITIES - Check the website just before easter for the Festivities and Church Program
MAY
CYPRUS NIGHTS IN THE SQUARE BEGIN
KATAKLYSMOS - MAY/JUNE
The Cyprus festival of Kataklysmos, which probably has pagan origins, is roughly equivalent to Pentecost. This celebration takes place 40 days after Easter. There will be festivals in the major seaside towns – the one in Limassol is particularly popular - and there will be festivities on both Sunday 23rd and Holiday Monday 24th May. Full details at http://www.limassoltourism.com/?pageid=159
In the Village, you might have water thrown at you on Monday .... check out the Religious Festivals tab on the website.
DON LONDON CONCERT - Memorial Concert held in the Amphitheatre every year.
ANNUAL ABF 10 Km WALK
Anthestiria Flower Festival, Paphos
JUNE
Kataklysmos - Festival of the Flood
Limassol, Paphos and seaside towns. May-June
A uniquely Cypriot five-day festival which coincides with Pentecost and is held 40 days after the Greek Orthodox Easter.
Although the origins of the festival are not clear it is believed by some that it derives from ancient ceremonies honouring Adonis and Aphrodite.
See Religious Festivals on the Churches tab for more information.
Shakespeare at Curium
The annual Shakespeare Festival, which has raised over €1 million for charity over the last 49 years. The annual production is organized by The Performing Arts for Cyprus Charities. The event attracts large audiences from both Cyprus and abroad. An superb event at an amazing location.
This is one of the few occasions when this end of the Island can enjoy top international music in the beautiful ancient setting of the old Manor House at Kouklia. Sadly, it is rumoured that this festival may not go ahead in 2011.
Limassol International Arts Festival (June - July)
JULY
Turtle hatching, first half of July!!
Pissouri Summer Folklore Festival
Annual Perseid Meteorite Shower, peaking mid August
Assumption (Dormition of Mary) Orthodox Celebration, 15th August annually.
Limassol Beer Festival (July)
Three day event held in the Molos area of the old town centre. You can sample beers from around the world, enjoy traditional Cypriot food and listen to live music.
Ancient Greek Drama Festival Paphos
In the open-air ancient Odeon in the Harbour archaeological area. Although the plays are in Greek a précis of the plot is provided in English, and some plays have Greek and English surtitles. For anyone interested in drama in an amazing setting on a warm summer evening, this is a must. Performances also at Curium, Limassol and Nicosia.
AUGUST
Pissouri Festival
(See Events calendar)
Limassol Wine Festival
late August to September
SEPTEMBER
The Paphos Aphrodite Festival (August/September)
Every year an opera troupe performs at this popular event which takes place at the Medieval Castle in Paphos.
(Last week August/first weekSeptember)
In the Municipal Gardens, 8 pm - 11 pm. Wine tasting, folk dancing and general bacchanalian activities. A good night out.
Mid September - an exuberant festival celebrating the carob harvest.
Annual celebration of Pissouri's Village Church. Begins with the processing of the Saint's icon around the Village at 6 pm, led by the Bishop of Paphos. The fair in the Village Square starts in on the Saturday night, followed by the religious ceremony with the procession on Sunday night, and continues on the Pissouri holiday Monday the following day.
Peanut Festival at Mandria, late September.
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS FESTIVITIES