Paphos, Cyprus » Entertainment » Festivals

The Anthestiria Flower Festival is the celebration held to welcome the arrival of spring. To rejoice and enjoy nature’s beauty, a parade of flowers floats and people carrying fresh flowers travel down from Poseidon Avenue till the old harbour of Kato Paphos. This festival has an historical and mythological value when banquets were arranged every four years as a mark of distinction to the God of theatre and parties, Dionysus. Similar to ancient feasts the Anthestiria festival also has a theme. The word Anthestiria is derived from the word ‘anthos’ meaning flower and the festival is organized to celebrate the rebirth of man and nature.

Address: Paphos Parade

Tel: +357 26 932 014

Paphos Aphrodite Festival is a cultural event where the organizers invite a well-known opera troupe in town. The event takes place in front of the medieval castle in Paphos and has witnessed many past harmonious performances like Verdi's "La Traviata" and "Aida", Bizet's "Carmen" and Puccini's "Turandot".

Festival Location: The Medieval Paphos Castle, Paphos, Paphos district, Cyprus

Address: 25th March Street, P.O.Box 60032, Paphos, 8100, Cyprus.

Tel: +357 26 822 218

Fax: +357 26 220 221

Great historical and mythological stories of Epidaurus depicting domestic differences, betrayals and heroic deeds are re-enacted in three separate ancient theatres of Cyprus. The drama festival goes on for a month attracting a large number of Greek, International and local visitors. People specially travel from all around the world just to see the Greek drama performed by various international drama companies.

Festival Location: Ancient theatres of Cyprus, Includes Ancient Odeon (Paphos); Kourion Ancient Theatre (Limassol); Makarios III Amphitheatre (Nicosia)

Address: 38 Regaena Street, Nicosia, Cyprus

Tel: +357 22 674 920

Cyprus' main wine producing villages are located in the Kourris Valley, celebrate their wine festival: Koumandaria Festival. An annual festival, Koumandaria is a wine that was introduced during the Crusades and now is popular dessert wine.

Festival Location: Villages in the Kouris Valley

Alassa, Agios Georgios, Doros, Laneia, Monagri and Silikou are the main participating villages, Paphos, Cyprus

Address: Cyprus Tourist Board, Gladstonos 3, Paphos, 8046, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 932 841

Organized by the Paphos municipality, the musical concert is held at the Castle Square in Kato Paphos. The melodic festival is held annually.

Festival Location: Castle Square

The concert is held in Castle Square in Kato Paphos, just outside Paphos, by the harbour Paphos, Cyprus

Address: Cyprus Tourist Board, Gladstonos 3, Paphos, 8046, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 932 841

The villagers of Kallepeia come together to arrange this lively musical festival held annually and enjoyed by one and all. There is music, fun, traditional Cypriot hospitality, dancing and great food and wine. Foreigners and locals all join in the fun.

Festival Location: Kallepeia, 13km (8 miles) northeast of Paphos, Paphos, Cyprus

Address: Cyprus Tourist Board, Gladstonos 3, Paphos, 8046, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 932 841

The festival is held in honour of Greek God of wine Dionysus. First organized in 1960’s, this three-day festival is now grown to be one of the biggest wine events of the country. Along with sipping a variety of wines, there is traditional Cypriot entertainment, food and dance. Local arts and crafts are on display during the festival and there is also a beauty contest where the winner is announced on the final day of the event.

Festival Location: Stroumbi, 13km (8 miles) from Paphos, halfway to Polis, Paphos, Cyprus

Address: Cyprus Tourist Board, Gladstonos 3, Paphos, 8046, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 932 841

Every June, the city of Paphos organizes a Choir festival. Several international Choir groups as well local ones come together and stage performances. The festival takes place in the beautiful location of the Ancient Odeon.

Festival Location: Ancient Odeon, In Kato Paphos, the lower part of the town of Paphos, close to the harbour Paphos, Paphos, Cyprus

Address: Cyprus Tourist Board, Gladstonos 3, Paphos, 8046, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 932 841

The Paradise Jazz festival takes place in Paphos every September. David Locke and Socratis first started the festival in 1999, the owner of Paradise Place in Pomos. Initially the festival was first held in Pomos but shifted location to c enter of Polis Chrysohous. The main purpose of this festival is to introduce London’s young Jazz musicians to perform in Cyprus.

Address: Charalambou Fournidi 12, Paradise Place, Pomos 8870, Paphos district, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 342 537, +357 99 516 932

Celebrated in honour of St Paraskevi, this fair is celebrated in all churches of Cyprus. Every town and village celebrate it according to their tradition, but generally there is a religious service held on the evening before the day and on the day itself. In Paphos, along with the religion comes entertainment and there are performances, events and traditional kiosks selling food, drink and handicrafts.

Address: Cyprus Tourist Board, Gladstonos 3, Paphos, 8046, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 932 841

The town of Geroskipou, north east of Paphos with its Turkish backdrop arranges a week of cultural events every year. The local municipality takes charge of the events and there are various musical and dance performances, exhibitions and shows. Many of its events are held in the city's main square.

Festival Location: Geroskipou, Paphos, Cyprus

Address: Geroskipou Municipality, PO Box 63015, Geroskipou, 8201 Paphos, Cyprus

Tel: +357 26 962 324

Fax: +357 26 961 247

Every year Pancyprian Classical Guitar Association, Paphos Academy Of Fine Arts, Cultural Services Of The Ministry Of Education And Culture organize the Paphos Guitar festival where guitar players of all levels and ages can take part. Along with Guitar concerts, there are master classes by internationally famous artists and a Guitar orchestra.

Address: Polys Charalambous, Al.Papagou 61, CY 8027, Paphos, Cyprus

Tel: +357 99 632346, +357 26 237 670

The beginning of Lent is celebrated as 'Green Monday' in Paphos with a kite flying competition. Everyone wears their traditional dresses and are in a jolly, carnival mood. There is a lot of music, dancing and not to forget, delicious vegetarian food. The Green Monday is the first Monday of Lent and it is an official holiday in Cyprus. In Paphos, the kite flying competition takes place near the lighthouse, where people along with their families gather together to join in the merry-making.

During Lent, meat and dairy products are not allowed, However, the bakery products, vegetables and olives along with dishes like tahinopitta, spanokopitta and kolokopitta are so tasty that no one misses out on the non-vegetarian delicacies.