Christmas in Cyprus 2026: villages, markets and things to do

Christmas villages 2026

The Deputy Ministry of Tourism decorates and lights nine traditional villages, with stalls of local products and crafts, workshops, guided village tours and nature activities.

21 November 2026 to 6 January 2027

• AgrosLimassol district
• DeryneiaFamagusta district
• FikardouNicosia district
• KakopetriaNicosia district
• KalopanagiotisNicosia district
• KyperountaLimassol district
• LefkaraLarnaca district
• LofouNewLimassol district
• Statos-Agios FotiosPaphos district

Opening hours for 2026 are not published yet. In 2025 the villages opened at weekends and on public holidays, then daily from 22 December. Sources: visitcyprus.com, cyprus-mail.com.

Christmas in Limassol

Limassol lights its trees in late November and fills December weekends with markets, a Christmas train and shows for kids.

• Limassol Marina Christmas tree lighting

  Limassol Marina

  A 12-metre tree is switched on with carols and a visit from Santa.

  Last year: 22 November 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• Municipal Christmas events and Christmas Train

  Limassol city centre

  Free weekend events run by the municipality, including a Christmas train for children.

  Last year: 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 December 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Free · Source: allaboutlimassol.com

• The Magic of Christmas show

  Agios Tychonas, Limassol

  A two-weekend Christmas show and fair aimed at families.

  Last year: 13-14 and 20-21 December 2025, 11:00-21:00. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• Cyberness Christmas Market with ice rink

  Kolla Factory, Limassol

  More than 150 makers and food stalls, plus an ice rink.

  Last year: 20-21 December 2025, 14:00-midnight. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Free entry · Source: cyprus-mail.com

Christmas in Nicosia

The capital has the island's biggest handmade market in Eleftheria Square and a Christmas funfair in the old city moat.

• Nicosia Christmas Market

  Eleftheria Square

  Around 40 local makers on each market day, with food, workshops and performances.

  Last year: 29 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, on set days. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Free · Source: fastforward.com.cy

• Christmas Fairyland (Paramythoupoli)

  Old city moat

  A Christmas funfair with rides and food stalls.

  Last year: 20 November 2025 to 11 January 2026. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: fastforward.com.cy

• Christmas tree lighting

  Eleftheria Square

  The city tree is lit with a concert.

  Last year: 23 November 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• Rooftop Christmas at Mall of Cyprus

  Mall of Cyprus

  An elves' workshop, Santa's post office, shows and a small market.

  Last year: 12-31 December 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Free · Source: fastforward.com.cy

Christmas in Larnaca

Larnaca keeps Christmas by the sea: a market in the old town, a parade, and fireworks on Finikoudes for New Year.

• Larnaca Christmas Market

  Zouhouri Square

  A weekend market in the old town square.

  Last year: 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28 December 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• Christmas Parade

  Larnaca city centre

  An evening parade through the centre.

  Last year: 20 December 2025, 18:00. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• Traditional Christmas Market at Forest Beach

  Dhekelia Road

  A traditional market by the beach.

  Last year: 5-7 December 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Adults €2.50, under-12s free (2025) · Source: cyprus-mail.com

• New Year's Eve on Finikoudes

  Finikoudes seafront

  DJs from 23:00 and fireworks at midnight.

  Last year: 31 December 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

Christmas in Paphos

Paphos switches on its lights with a Santa parade, and Statos-Agios Fotios in the hills is one of the official Christmas villages.

• Kennedy Square lights and Santa parade

  Kennedy Square

  The Christmas lights go on with a Santa parade, a concert and stalls.

  Last year: 28 November 2025, from 18:30. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• Kathikas Village Christmas Festival

  Kathikas

  A one-afternoon village Christmas festival.

  Last year: 6 December 2025, 15:00-20:00. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

Christmas in Ayia Napa and Famagusta

The east coast has a Christmas village at the marina and a family festival at the botanical park in Avgorou.

• Ayia Napa Marina Christmas Village

  Ayia Napa Marina

  Workshops, shows, Santa and his elves.

  Last year: 29 November to 28 December 2025, weekends plus 24 and 26 December, 11:00-20:00. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

• CyHerbia Christmas Festival

  CyHerbia Botanical Park, Avgorou

  Elves, Santa and a Christmas maze in the botanical park.

  Last year: 13-14 December 2025. 2026 dates not announced yet.

  Source: cyprus-mail.com

Epiphany (Fota), 6 January

On 6 January (Fota) a procession leaves church after the morning service and heads to the sea at about 10:30. The bishop throws a cross into the water and young swimmers dive to bring it back.

Where the blessing of the waters took place in 2026

• Limassol old port (Agia Napa church)
• Larnaca marina (Agios Lazaros)
• Kato Paphos (Agioi Anargyroi)
• Latsi, Polis
• Ayia Napa harbour
• Nicosia: the lake in Athalassa Park

6 January 2027 is a Wednesday; venues are announced in early January. Sources: cyprus-mail.com, visitcyprus.com.

Cypriot Christmas traditions

The Christmas fast

Many Cypriots fast for about 40 days before Christmas, from mid-November to 24 December, with no animal products. It ends with Christmas lunch. (cyprus-mail.com)

Agios Vasilis on 1 January

Traditionally children got their presents on 1 January, St Basil's Day, rather than on Christmas Day. Many families now give gifts at Christmas too. (archive.cyprus-mail.com)

Vasilopita

The New Year cake has a coin baked inside. Whoever finds it in their slice has luck for the year. (cyprus-mail.com)

Melomakarona

Honey-soaked biscuits. Versions made before Christmas use oil only, because of the fast. (cyprus-mail.com)

Epiphany customs

Houses are blessed with holy water to chase away the kalikantzari, mischievous spirits of Cypriot folklore. In Paphos children still go door to door singing for small coins. (en.politis.com.cy)

Public holidays

25 December (Christmas Day) · 26 December · 1 January (New Year's Day, Agios Vasilis) · 6 January (Epiphany)

Snow and skiing in Troodos

The Troodos ski centre on Mount Olympus (1,951 m) has four lifts run by the Cyprus Ski Club. The season depends on snow and usually runs from about January to March. Last winter the first slope only opened on 14 January 2026, so don't plan a Christmas ski trip without checking conditions first.

Sources: mytroodos.com, en.politis.com.cy. Five of the official Christmas villages (Agros, Kakopetria, Kalopanagiotis, Kyperounta and Fikardou) are in or near the Troodos mountains.

Christmas in Cyprus: questions

When do the Christmas villages in Cyprus open in 2026?

The official Christmas Villages run from 21 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. Opening hours for 2026 are not published yet; in 2025 the villages opened at weekends and on public holidays, then every day from 22 December.

Which villages are Christmas villages in 2026?

Nine villages take part in 2026: Agros (Limassol), Deryneia (Famagusta), Fikardou (Nicosia), Kakopetria (Nicosia), Kalopanagiotis (Nicosia), Kyperounta (Limassol), Lefkara (Larnaca), Lofou (Limassol), Statos-Agios Fotios (Paphos). Lofou is new this year.

Where are the Christmas markets in Cyprus?

The biggest are the Nicosia Christmas Market in Eleftheria Square, the Cyberness Christmas Market at the Kolla Factory in Limassol, the Larnaca Christmas Market in Zouhouri Square and the traditional market at Forest Beach near Larnaca. Cities usually announce their dates in November.

Where can kids meet Santa in Cyprus?

Last season Santa appeared at the Ayia Napa Marina Christmas Village, the rooftop Christmas at Mall of Cyprus in Nicosia, the Limassol Marina tree lighting, the Paphos Santa parade in Kennedy Square and the CyHerbia Christmas Festival in Avgorou.

Is there an ice rink in Cyprus at Christmas?

Yes. In December 2025 the Cyberness Christmas Market at the Kolla Factory in Limassol had an ice rink alongside its 150 stalls.

Where can you celebrate New Year's Eve in Cyprus?

Larnaca's Finikoudes seafront had DJs from 23:00 and fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve 2025. Nicosia replaced its fireworks with a drone show.

Does it snow in Cyprus at Christmas? Can you ski?

The Troodos ski centre on Mount Olympus (1,951 m) has four lifts run by the Cyprus Ski Club. The season depends on snow and usually runs from about January to March. Last winter the first slope only opened on 14 January 2026, so don't plan a Christmas ski trip without checking conditions first.

What happens at Epiphany (6 January) in Cyprus?

On 6 January (Fota) a procession leaves church after the morning service and heads to the sea at about 10:30. The bishop throws a cross into the water and young swimmers dive to bring it back. The main blessings are at Limassol old port (Agia Napa church); Larnaca marina (Agios Lazaros); Kato Paphos (Agioi Anargyroi); Latsi, Polis; Ayia Napa harbour; Nicosia: the lake in Athalassa Park.

What are the public holidays over Christmas in Cyprus?

25 December (Christmas Day), 26 December, 1 January (New Year's Day, Agios Vasilis), 6 January (Epiphany).

Where can we have a Christmas family photoshoot in Cyprus?

xmas.cy has fully decorated Christmas studios at Miltonos 55, Limassol. Each session includes a photographer, digital photos and 5 prints, and you book online.