Cyprus Holidays

Cyprus Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Cyprus? All public holidays in Cyprus are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Cyprus employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Cyprus and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

 

Cyprus, a Mediterranean island with a rich cultural and historical heritage, celebrates a variety of public holidays that reflect its Orthodox Christian traditions, historical milestones, and cultural significance. Public holidays in Cyprus are split between religious observances, national holidays that commemorate significant moments in the country’s history, and a few international celebrations. Whether they stem from religious devotion or national pride, these holidays play a key role in bringing Cypriots together.

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Religious Holidays

The majority of Cyprus’ population is Greek Orthodox, and many public holidays are rooted in the Orthodox Christian faith. Religious holidays are often observed with church services, processions, and family gatherings. These holidays are based on the Julian calendar, so their dates vary from year to year in the Gregorian calendar.

Easter (Pascha)

• Date: Varies (April or May)
• Significance: According to computerdo.com, Easter is the most important religious celebration in Cyprus, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Traditions:
  • Holy Week is observed with a series of church services, culminating in the midnight Easter service, where the Anastasi (Resurrection) is celebrated. Candles are lit, and the church bells ring out to announce Christ’s resurrection.
  • Families gather for festive meals, often featuring roasted lamb, and dyed red eggs are exchanged to symbolize the blood of Christ and the rebirth of life.
  • The tradition of cracking eggs, where two people tap their eggs together, is a popular game during the holiday.
  • In many villages, local processions, known as Epitaphios, take place on Good Friday, symbolizing the funeral procession of Christ.

Green Monday (Clean Monday)

• Date: 50 days before Orthodox Easter (February or March)
• Significance: Marks the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting and spiritual reflection for Orthodox Christians.
• Traditions:
  • Green Monday is a day of outdoor feasting and kite flying, where families picnic in nature and enjoy a meal free of meat and dairy products, adhering to the Lenten fast.
  • The menu typically includes vegetables, olives, bread, and seafood like octopus or squid.
  • In towns and villages across Cyprus, people gather in parks and countryside locations for communal picnics and to fly kites, symbolizing freedom and spiritual cleansing.

Christmas Day

• Date: December 25
• Significance: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Traditions:
  • Christmas in Cyprus is a deeply religious holiday, with families attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
  • Houses are decorated with Christmas trees and lights, and festive meals are shared, often featuring traditional dishes like roast pork, stuffed vegetables, and kourabiedes (almond cookies).
  • Carols, known as kalanda, are sung by children who visit homes to spread holiday cheer.
  • Many families exchange gifts and gather for special meals to mark the holiday.

Epiphany (Theophania)

• Date: January 6
• Significance: Celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ and the manifestation of the Holy Trinity.
• Traditions:
  • Epiphany is observed with church services, and in coastal towns like Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos, a ceremony known as the “Blessing of the Waters” takes place.
  • The bishop or priest throws a cross into the sea, and young men dive in to retrieve it, a symbolic act of cleansing and renewal.
  • The person who retrieves the cross is believed to receive good luck and blessings for the year.
  • Families celebrate with traditional meals and sweets after attending church services.

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National Holidays

Cyprus celebrates several national holidays that mark key events in the island’s history, particularly its struggle for independence and sovereignty. These holidays are moments of national pride and often involve official ceremonies, parades, and public celebrations.

Independence Day

• Date: October 1
• Significance: Commemorates the independence of Cyprus from British colonial rule in 1960.
• Traditions:
  • Independence Day is celebrated with military parades in the capital, Nicosia, attended by government officials, military personnel, and citizens.
  • Schools and public buildings are adorned with the Cypriot flag, and the national anthem is played during official ceremonies.
  • The day is marked by speeches from political leaders reflecting on the country’s journey to independence and its future.
  • Many towns hold local events, including concerts, cultural performances, and exhibitions highlighting the island’s history and achievements.

Greek Independence Day and Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

• Date: March 25
• Significance: Celebrates the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and the religious holiday of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
• Traditions:
  • The day is marked by patriotic parades, with schoolchildren, soldiers, and veterans marching in towns and villages across Cyprus.
  • In addition to the national significance, the religious aspect of the holiday is celebrated with special church services, as the Annunciation commemorates the moment the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus.
  • People attend church services in the morning, followed by festive meals at home or in restaurants.

Cyprus National Day (EOKA Day)

• Date: April 1
• Significance: Honors the beginning of the EOKA armed struggle against British rule in 1955, which eventually led to Cyprus’ independence.
• Traditions:
  • Ceremonies and parades are held across Cyprus to remember the sacrifices of those who fought in the EOKA movement.
  • Government officials lay wreaths at monuments and memorials, and public speeches are delivered in honor of the fighters.
  • Schools and public buildings fly the Cypriot and Greek flags, emphasizing the unity between Cyprus and Greece during the independence struggle.

Ochi Day (No Day)

• Date: October 28
• Significance: Commemorates the day in 1940 when Greece rejected an ultimatum from Italy to allow Axis forces to enter the country, sparking Greece’s entry into World War II.
• Traditions:
  • Like Greek Independence Day, Ochi Day is marked by parades and military displays, with students and veterans participating in commemorative events.
  • Speeches and performances emphasize the courage and resilience of the Greek and Cypriot people in the face of adversity.
  • Patriotic songs are performed, and cultural events are held to celebrate the historical importance of the day.

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Cultural and International Holidays

In addition to religious and national holidays, Cyprus also observes international holidays that reflect its position within the global community, as well as cultural celebrations that highlight the island’s rich traditions.

New Year’s Day

• Date: January 1
• Significance: Celebrates the beginning of the Gregorian calendar year.
• Traditions:
  • New Year’s Eve is celebrated with parties, fireworks, and countdowns across the island, especially in major cities like Nicosia and Limassol.
  • Families come together on New Year’s Day for a festive meal, often featuring vasilopita, a traditional cake baked with a coin hidden inside. Whoever finds the coin is said to have good luck for the year ahead.
  • Many people attend church services to mark the feast day of Saint Basil, a revered figure in Orthodox Christianity.

Labour Day

• Date: May 1
• Significance: International Workers’ Day, celebrating the contributions of workers and labor movements worldwide.
• Traditions:
  • Labour Day is a public holiday in Cyprus, with many businesses and government offices closing for the day.
  • Trade unions and workers’ organizations often organize parades and rallies to advocate for workers’ rights and discuss labor issues.
  • Families use the day as an opportunity to enjoy the spring weather, often going on picnics or outdoor excursions.

Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)

• Date: 50 days after Orthodox Easter (May or June)
• Significance: Commemorates both the biblical flood and the ancient Greek celebration of the sea god, Poseidon.
• Traditions:
  • Kataklysmos is a unique Cypriot holiday celebrated mainly in coastal towns such as Larnaca, where the festival takes place with boat races, water games, and cultural events.
  • People take part in water-related activities, including playful water fights and beach games, as a way to celebrate the purification and renewal that water symbolizes.
  • Traditional music, dance performances, and fairs are held in public spaces near the sea, drawing large crowds for several days of festivities.

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Observance and Public Participation

Government and Business Closures

• On major religious holidays such as Easter and Christmas, government offices, schools, and businesses are closed, and families gather for church services and festive meals.
• National holidays like Independence Day and Ochi Day are marked by the closure of public institutions, allowing citizens to participate in parades, ceremonies, and other patriotic events.
• International holidays like Labour Day also see widespread closures, giving workers a chance to relax and take part in public events or enjoy time with family.

Public Participation

• Religious holidays in Cyprus, particularly Easter and Christmas, are highly significant, with entire communities coming together for church services, processions, and family gatherings.
• National holidays are celebrated with great pride, particularly Independence Day, Ochi Day, and EOKA Day, which involve patriotic events and official ceremonies.
• Cultural and regional holidays like Kataklysmos offer a unique glimpse into Cyprus’ blend of ancient traditions and modern celebrations, drawing large crowds to coastal towns for festive activities.

Tourism Impact

• Visitors to Cyprus during religious holidays can experience the island’s deep-rooted Orthodox Christian traditions, such as attending Easter services or witnessing Christmas processions.
• National holidays offer tourists a chance to see Cypriot patriotism and the country’s historical pride on display, especially during Independence Day and Ochi Day celebrations.
• Cultural events like Kataklysmos attract many tourists, particularly to coastal cities, offering a lively and engaging way to experience Cyprus’ festive atmosphere.