July 4th - 6th - The Pope Visits Cyprus

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will pay an official visit to the Republic of Cyprus on July 4-6 following an invitation extended by the President of the Republic during his visit to the Vatican in March 2009. This is an event of major historic importance as it is the first time such a visit is being paid. The Pontiff will be accompanied by the Secretary of State of the Vatican and other high ranked officials.
Pope Benedict XVI will have official meetings with the President of the Republic and other state officials, the Archbishop of Cyprus as well as with representatives of the Catholic Community of Cyprus. During his stay in Cyprus the Pontiff will make a holy pilgrimage to St. Paul’s Pillar in Pafos. Meetings with the President of the Republic, Cyprus officials as well as Acrchibishop of Cyprus  and representatives of the Catholic Community of Cyprus are scheduled during Pope's stay in Cyprus.Reports said the main purpose of the visit will be to discuss with Church leaders from across the Middle East a summary of issues to be presented at the Special Synod of Bishops on the Middle East. The synod is scheduled to take place in Rome 10 - 24 October 2010. Pilgrims from Lebanon, the Holy Land, and Greece are expected to join His Holiness for the historic visit.

22nd - 24th of May - Kataklymos

A unique Cypriot celebration, Kataklysmos, the Festival of the Flood, coincides with (Greek) Pentecost and is marked by festivities at all seaside towns. The most popular custom involves throwing water at one another, symbolising the purification of the body and soul.

The festival begins with an ecclesiastical ceremony. The priest hurls a cross into the sea and the diver who brings it up receives a blessing and a sovereign, which marks the start of the rest of the festivities.

Events in Agia Napa, Limassol, Paphos and Polis are among the most popular and may well last for a few extra days - depending on the town. Expect folk dances, boat and swimming races, swimming competitions, wrestling, canoe-races and the bellowing of songs such as tchattista, which are improvised verses sung by competing parties.
 

1st - 31st May - Anthresia Flower Festival

The Anthresia flower festival is an annual event in Paphos which takes place every May and is a celebration of the spirit of spring, the time of the year which is also considered as the period of rebirth for nature, during this festival various displays of exotic flowers take place, a parade is also carried out in the Poseidon Avenue.

May 2nd - The 13th Annual Hotdog Show

On Sunday the 2nd of May the 13th Hotdog Show will take place at the harbour in Kato Paphos from 8 A.M. until 6 P.M. There will be a large number of show categories covering a wide selection of breeds.
The fun-packed day will include: the dog show, a display by the police dog unit, a magician & juggler, singing & dancing, donkey rides, face painting, bouncy castle & tombola & raffles. There will also be a wide selection of trade stalls as well as the usual fairground fun and games. The Sunday fun-day is organised by the Paphiakos and CCP Animal Welfare who have their headquarters in Paphos. For more information check out their website http://www.cyprusanimalwelfare.com or phone (00357) 26946461 or email info@cyprusanimalwelfare.com.

April 2nd - 5th Orthodox Easter 

The first Sunday following the full moon of the spring equinox sees the biggest Orthodox festival of the year, which is well worth witnessing.

During the week leading up to Easter, known as Megali Evdomada (Great Week) many traditionalists refuse to eat meat or fast completely.
During this period you may well find a wider selection than usual of vegetarian dishes available in the local restaurants.
Following morning Mass on Holy Thursday, it is traditional for women to paint eggs red and do their Easter baking. In the evening icons in the church are draped in black.
In the evening of Good Friday the sepulchre is decorated with flowers and a procession of flower images of Christ are carried through the streets. People carry candles to mark Christ’s death.
On Easter Saturday the black drapes come off the icons and the congregation raps their seats to express their joy and chase the demon of Hades away. At midnight everyone gathers for Mass then bonfires are lit and effigies of Judas are thrown onto them.
Easter Sunday and Monday are family days and it is customary to roast lamb outdoors on the spit or in big clay ovens - celebrations may continue all day long.

Please note that the day after Easter Monday is also taken as a holiday.

March 25th - 28th Tour of Cyprus Challenge

World class cycling comes to Cyprus with the annual Tour of Cyprus Cycling event. The tour is a multi-stage endurance event that is open to riders of all ability from elite riders to amateur and fun cyclists.

The organisers are aiming to encourage both Cypriot and international cyclists to the event to enjoy the hospitality, history and culture of Cyprus.

The classification of riders will be split into two groups. Group A, the elite riders will complete a distance of approximately 400km over the four days which will include time trial stages as well as the normal race stages. The Group B riders will cover the same route but without the timed sections. The group B cyclists will also have the option of completing as many or as few stages as they wish and for those who find it a little hard going they can have a short rest on the broom bus and rejoin the race at a later time.

The tour will take participants through Cyprus' major cities and picturesque villages and from the coastal roads up to the heights of the Troodos mountains. The whole of the four day event will be fully supported and marshalled.

March 7th - 28th Limassol Cultural March

The Cyprus Tourism Organisation and the Community Board of Agios Tychonas have organised a number of events under the banner of the Limassol Cultural March. There are events held every Sunday throughout March which start at 8 p.m.

7th - Choral songs with the Epilogi choir.

14th - The Alexandra Group will present traditional Cypriot dances.

21st - The Limassol Folk Association Childrens Dance Group will present traditional Cypriot dances.

28th - Cypriot composers showcase with the Admitos Pitsillides Music Ensemble.

March 2010

Every year, runners flock from all over Europe, Israel, Argentina and Cyprus to take part in the Ultra Sports Cyprus Marathon. This day of sun-kissed fun incorporates three different distances; a 26-mile marathon, a half marathon and a 10km fun run. The route takes the runners from Petra tou Romiou (Birthplace of Aphrodite) along the seafront road and through the town to Medieval Fort Square.
Also on the programme: Traditional Greek and Cypriot music and dances.

March 2010

Green Monday marks the beginning of Lent and is celebrated in Paphos with a picnic and a kite-flying competition. The day is filled with the joyous spirit of Carnival and some people still wander around in fancy dress. Events and activities take place in all towns and villages on the island and feature plenty of music, dancing and delicious vegetarian food.
The first Monday of Lent (50 days before Greek Orthodox Easter) is a Bank Holiday in Cyprus and Green Monday picnics are held all over the island. Families and friends gather for an outdoor vegetarian meal of bread, vegetables and olives at the start of this Orthodox festival of fasting and contemplation.
In Paphos, the kite-flying competition takes place down by the lighthouse, where people of all ages fly home-made or locally purchased creations to varying degrees of success.
During Lent, meat and dairy products are forbidden, so why not try some of the delicious Cypriot pastries: tahinopitta (with sweetened tahini paste inside), spanokopitta (spinach) and kolokopitta (pumpkin with raisin).

February/March 2010

Carnival in Cyprus means a near two-week period of celebrations with a focus on food, before the 50 days of Easter. Although festivities take place in towns all over the island, Limassol hosts the most famous celebration, while Larnaka and Paphos offer impressive parades and fancy dress balls.
The first week is called the Meat Week (Kreatini), as it is the last week for eating meat before Easter, while the second is known as the cheese week (Tyrini).
Carnival festivities begin on the Thursday of the Meat Week. Highlights include the entrance of King Carnival, the Children's Carnival Parade, the Serenaders' Parade and the Grand Carnival Parade of chariots and groups.