CARNIVAL TIME
IN CYPRUS
CYPRUS ONCE AGAIN EMBRACES 10 DAYS OF CARNIVAL CELEBRATION
FEBRUARY 12TH TO FEBRUARY 22ND
SEVERAL CELEBRATIONS ACROSS THE ISLAND
The Cyprus Carnival, also known as ‘Karnavali’ in Greek, is a traditional Cypriot annual event that takes place in the run-up to Greek Orthodox Easter. It is vigorously celebrated across the island with events taking place across several villages, towns and cities. This unique and vibrant 10-day event directly reflects the island’s carnival heritage and traditionally signals the beginning of spring and the Easter period.
A POPULAR & VIBRANT CULTURAL EVENT
The carnival originated from ancient religious practices and a series of social customs that evolved. As a result, it is one of the island’s most popular cultural events, representing a specific artistic tradition. The various events are also used as a vehicle to bring people together in celebration. It provides an opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate, regardless of social class or religion. Most carnival events allow for revelry, merriment, and the suspension of normal social conventions. This allows people all over the island to express themselves through music, dance, and colourful satirical costumes.
CARNIVAL ORIGINS
Elements of the Cyprus carnival are thought to derive from ancient Greek pagan festivals. A festival that honoured Dionysus, the god of wine, was held every year to celebrate the end of winter and the coming of spring. These celebrations are thought to have included excessive wine consumption, and street dancing and revelry similar to today’s modern carnival.
A NEW CULTURAL LANDSCAPE
The medieval period saw further development of several elaborate carnival celebrations all over Europe. The City Kingdom of Venice was at the forefront of several of these lavish carnival festivities. These included some of the biggest and most flamboyant masquerade balls, parades, and street parties at the time. This was fully embraced by the island’s Venetian rulers, and they fed this directly into the cultural landscape of Cyprus.
A TIME HONOURED REPUTATION
Cypriots in general have a time-honoured reputation for being a fun-loving, sociable people. Most residents live up to this during carnival time. This is evident by the inclusion of a great deal of eating, singing, satire, games, and costumed street parties. The biggest carnival event takes place in Limassol, but each municipality organises its carnival celebrations.
CHRISTIAN DOCTRINES
Christianity would eventually apopt the pagan festival into its doctrines. The Greek Orthodox Church associated the celebration with rejuvenation, new beginnings and used it as a pre-cursor to the start of Lent. The word ‘carnival’ is believed to have derived from the Latin word ‘Carnevale’, which means farewell to meat. This reflects the practice of abstaining from meat during Lent. This means that the carnival is considered a time for feasting and over indulgence, before a sustained period of fasting leading up to Easter.
TEN DAYS OF FUN
The Cyprus Carnival overall is a wonderful opportunity to experience and celebrate the transition from winter to spring on the island. The 10-day event this year begins on Thursday, February 12th. Celebrations will continue through to Sunday, February 22nd. As well as the numerous street celebrations, most hotels and cultural organisations in each city are once again holding fancy dress balls and several carnival parties. Other establishments all over the island are also hosting several events celebrating the Cyprus carnival.
'TSIKNOPEMPTI' OR SMELLY THURSDAY
The first week of the celebrations usually begins on a Thursday. This day is known as Stinky Thursday or ‘Tsiknopempti’ and marks the first day of festivities. This name derives from the smell of street cooking, marking the beginning of meat week or ‘Kreatini’. This also signals the final week of meat consumption before Lent and the Orthodox Easter fast. After Tsiknopempti’ other smaller daily events take place in anticipation of the grand carnival parade. This normally takes place on the 10th and final day of the festivities.
'TYRINI' OR CHEESE WEEK
The second week of the festival introduces cheese week or ‘Tyrini’. This signals the final week of dairy consumption before Lent and the Orthodox Easter fast. Daily carnival celebrations include local music and dance troupes. Several staged events include masquerade balls or costume contests, are held. Regional traditional rituals and customs are also observed during this time. These include the selection of a carnival king and queen. Some regions burn effigies, or emphasise the throwing of confetti and streamers.
THE GRAND PARADE
Street food and refreshments are also abundant during the celebrations. The colourful festival culminates with a costumed grand parade. This always takes place fifty days before Orthodox Easter Sunday. People generally line the streets harbouring the grand parade, which includes an array of colourful floats, music and lively dance troupes.
THE CARNIVAL KING & QUEEN
All carnivals have a king and queen who lead most of the processions. Carnival royalty bless the crowds with renewed health and good fortune. In recent years, the grand carnival has become a platform for social and political commentary relevant to Cyprus. This has seen the carnival king or queen taking on real-life characters and then portraying them in a satirical sense. As well as this, carnival music, dance, and some performances have also been used to incorporate relevant themes into the celebrations. These themes have generally addressed contemporary issues and challenges that the island has recently faced.
THE CHILDREN'S CARNIVAL
Local schools in each municipality are usually involved in the celebrations, Schools actively take an active part in various parades and processions. Children of all ages partake in several joyous activities that include dressing up and dancing through the streets.
A VENETIAN LEGACY
It is agreed that the carnival, as we know it today, is a legacy of the island’s Venetian rulers. This is in spite of some notable recorded written references to the Cyprus carnival before they took control of the island. Celebrations became much more opulent and extravagant under Venetian stewardship, and their version of the Cyprus carnival often matched most events throughout Europe.
GRAND CELEBRATIONS TO TAKE PLACE IN ALL MAJOR CITIES
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER
This year’s carnival festival promises to be bigger and better and will once again bring people of all ages together! Each local municipality will be staging several carnival events in tribute to the age-old tradition, bringing their streets alive with colourful parades and costume-clad dance troupes. As well as this, there will also be several children’s and carnival king’s parades, street parties, competitions, special carnival performances, free music concerts, and exhibitions taking place. The celebrations will continue over 10 days and will start with ‘Tsiknopempti’ celebrations, which take place on Thursday, February 12th and will continue through to Sunday, February 22nd. Each city’s grand carnival parade will include hundreds of floats and dance troupes in fancy dress.
LIMASSOL
TSIKNOPEMPTI PARADE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH
This year, the ‘Tsiknopempti Parade’ will be marked by the carnival king’s arrival in the city. The parade will commence at 11.00 am, at Grigoris Auxentiou Square, and will follow a circular route back to its starting point. The procession will take revellers through the winding streets of the old town and then descend into a celebration of song and dance afterwards by the government offices.
The Kids Carnival Workshop: Saturday, February 22nd
Encourages kids of all ages to explore their artistic side and celebrate the joyous spirit of carnival! Kids will have the chance to dive into a day of creativity and fun by offering an engaging experience that is perfect for kids eager to unleash their imagination. Throughout the workshop, little ones will craft vibrant carnival accessories like crowns, whimsical masks, and unique instruments.
The Mardi Gras Carnival Party at the Limassol Social Club! Saturday, February 22nd
Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration! An unforgettable Mardi Gras Carnival Party filled with fun, laughter, and great entertainment is in store for all carnival revellers. Enjoy live singing by the amazing Matthew Edmondson, which is guaranteed to keep you dancing and singing along!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration! An unforgettable Mardi Gras Carnival Party filled with fun, laughter, and great entertainment is in store for all carnival revellers. Enjoy live singing by the amazing Matthew Edmondson, which is guaranteed to keep you dancing and singing along!
The Kids Carnival Family Rave: Saturday, February 22nd
‘Rave Baby Rave’ powers the ‘Kids Carnival Family Rave’, featuring international DJ ‘Dayah Modo’. There will also be various local artists, bouncy castles, craft zones, a teen rave, toddler play areas, and a sensory-sensitive calm zone available.
The Children’s Carnival Parade: Sunday, February 23rd
This special carnival event, specifically for young children, is being staged once again on the city’s coastal road, starting at 11:30 am, following a route from Enaerios to the Old Port by the Molos parking area.
The Children’s Carnival Parade: Sunday, February 23rd
Salsa! Bachata! Kizomba!!!! Dance the night away in true carnival spirit! The Limassol Agora celebrates carnival in style on Friday, February 28th with a night of vibrant beats, dazzling costumes, and pure Latin energy! DJ D and DJ Chico spinning non-stop Latin rhythms from 9.30 pm all the way to 03.00 am. Dress to impress and compete in the costume contest.
Click here for further information
The Retro Carnival Party: Saturday, March 1st
The Carob Mill, in Limassol, hosts the ‘Retro Carnival Party’ with DJ Kyriakos and his retro hits taking costume-clad partygoers into the early hours. Doors will open at 10:00 pm, and the open bar will be available throughout!
Strictly 18+ with a carnival dress code!
Scarabeo Wonderland Carnival: Saturday, March 1st
Guaba Beach Bar hosts the ‘Scarabeo Wonderland Carnival Party’ with four incredible DJs lighting up the night with epic beats, including R&B, hip-hop, EDM, and more. Doors open at 10:00 pm and each ticket includes 1 free drink.
Strictly 18+ with a carnival dress code!
Creole x Carnival: Sunday, March 2nd
The Guaba Beach Bar brings the carnival period to a close with its Creole x Carnival Closing Party! A night full of energy, costumes, and pure fun is supported by Rockstar RnB and Naughty By Nature and features an all-star cast of DJs that includes Veira, DJ Englezos, DJ Louw and White T.
Strictly 18+ with a carnival dress code!
The Limassol Grand Carnival Parade: Sunday, March 2nd
Limassol stages the biggest carnival parade on the island on Sunday, March 2nd. The parade, which starts at 11.00 am, will follow its usual route through Makarios III Avenue with several floats and dance groups in fancy dress entertaining crowds along the way.
NICOSIA
The Nicosia Grand Carnival Parade: Sunday, February 23rd
The capital city hosts its annual carnival parade in Aglandjia on Sunday, February 23rd. The parade will start from Kyrenia Avenue at 11.30 am and will end at the Road Safety Park with DJs continuing the fun. Several floats and dance groups in fancy dress will entertain the crowds all day long.
The Akora All Day Cafe, opens its doors at 7.00 pm, on Saturday, February 22nd welcoming carnival revellers of all shapes and sizes. Special guest DJs ‘Claudio’ and the ‘Paeblo Franco’, will be playing mainstream retro, disco, and latin tracks, along with some of the carnival classics, turning the night into a carnival extraveganza!
GOAT The Carnival Wedding at the Lost + Found Drinkery: Sunday, March 2nd
GOAT is back and this time they are hosting a carnival event with a difference! Doors open at 8.00 pm, when a night of unholy matrimony will be taking place with legendary tunes and top-tier cocktails. Guest DJs Pueblo Franco and Mighty Scoop will be spinning the best from the 60s to the 80s from Disco, Pop, and everything in between. Dress code is fancy dress! Just show up and celebrate ’til dance do us part’!
The Nicosia Carnival Fiesta: Sunday, March 2nd
Starting at 6.00 pm, the special themed cocktails along with guest DJs ‘2loud’ and the ‘Professor’, will turn the dance floor into a masquerade frenzy party on Sunday, March 2nd. A night of fun and joy with an added touch of mystery and a whole lot of laughs!
PAPHOS
The Peyia Grand Carnival Parade: Sunday, February 23rd
This carnival event will be bringing the community together for a vibrant festival of fun, filled with music, dance, and joyful activities on Sunday, February 23rd. Starting at noon on Michalakis Kyprianou Avenue, the procession will continue through to the village of Peyia.
The Paphos Grand Carnival Parade: Saturday, March 1st
Starting at 3.00 pm on Griva Digeni Avenue, the Paphos Grand Parade will be following its usual route through the city centre. The lively celebration will once again fill the streets with music, colour, and festive energy, with teams of floats creating an unforgettable atmosphere. The all-day event will also feature street food, marching bands and fancy dress.
LARNACA
The Larnaca Grand Carnival Parade: Sunday, February 23rd
Starting at 11.00 am this year’s grand parade will follow the usual route along Finikoudes Promenade, bringing a festive atmosphere to the city’s iconic seaside location, offering a plethora of music, dance, and colourful costumes.
FAMAGUSTA
The Paralimni Grand Carnival Parade: Sunday, March 2nd
Starting at 2.00 pm at the Saint Georges Church, in the town centre, this year’s grand parade aims to bring a party atmosphere to the iconic seaside location, offering a plethora of music, dance, and colourful costumes. The event will feature the grand parade, live music, DJs, and dance groups in fancy dress that will entertain the crowds all day long.
The Ayia Napa Carnival Event: Saturday, March 1st
A celebration for all ages with endless excitement. Starting noon at the Ayia Napa Marina, this year’s event aims to bring a colourful party atmosphere to the iconic seaside location. There will be performances by juggling shows and acrobats. Music, dance, and some colourful costumes will also feature. This all-day event will also be supported by live music and some guest DJs.
