Parades planned across the island in the run up to Easter
The carnival season is fast approaching! Coming up earlier this year, carnival season is getting ready to fill every corner of the island with masquerade parties, confetti, music and song. As it signals spring and the Easter period, the carnival is a beloved time for Cypriots and local municipalities already have preparations underway. Here’s what to expect for the parades in Nicosia, Paphos, Larnaca and of course, Limassol.
The capital city will host its annual carnival parade in Aglandjia on Sunday, February 23. Starting from Kyrenia Avenue at 11.30am, a long line of floats and dancing groups will entertain the public all day long. The parade will end at the Road Safety Park with DJs continuing the fun.
Paphos will have two carnival parades on two different days. The Akamas Municipality has announced that it too will organise a parade on February 23 on Michalakis Kyprianou Avenue and invites those who want to be part of it to reach out to the municipality and join the festivities. Music, dancing, colourful costumes and outfits that touch on the Cypriot reality are expected to hit the streets of Peyia soon.
Then, on Saturday, March 1, Paphos Municipality will put on its grand celebration with a big Paphos Carnival 2025 Parade starting at 3pm. The town’s streets will fill with floats, marching bands and dressed-up visitors for a day of fun. Those who wish to be part of the parade are called on to apply by February 10 by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/d9DhKn2SPerUk5BC6.
Larnaca does not fall far behind as it will hold its own carnival parade also on February 23 which will bring confetti fun to Finikoudes.
The biggest carnival occasion however certainly calls for Limassol. Following two weeks of events in the streets, the children’s parade, competitions, free music concerts, exhibitions an age-old tradition, Limassol’s big Sunday carnival parade will take place on March 2 at 12pm with hundreds of floats, dancers, musicians and people of all ages coming together to celebrate one of Cyprus’ biggest festivities in spring.
In the lead-up to March 2’s parade, more events and fiestas are bound to take place. The full programme of carnival happenings has not been released yet but you can expect back-to-back parties, street events and performances in pure carnival fashion.
For more information on each city’s carnival events, visit the municipality websites – www.limassol.org.cy, www.aglantzia.org.cy, www.pafos.org.cy, www.akamasmunicipality.org.cy