Limassol Carnival Festival

The Limassol Carnival Festival, held annually in Limassol, Cyprus, is a vibrant and internationally renowned celebration. This lively event commences twelve days prior to Lent, on the Sunday before Ash Monday, which is 50 days before Orthodox Easter, and spans ten days filled with feasting, singing, satire, games, processions, and glamorous balls.

Rooted in ancient pagan rituals, the history of the Limassol Carnival is believed to honor Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and revelry. The festival has evolved over centuries, influenced by the Venetians who ruled Cyprus in the 15th and 16th centuries. Although carnival celebrations take place across Cyprus, Limassol's event is the largest and most celebrated.

The carnival is not merely a festivity; it is a cherished tradition that unites people, allowing them to express their faith and optimism for the year ahead. The festivities encompass a variety of events such as masked balls, children's parades, and the Grand Carnival Parade, which features satirical floats that humorously comment on social, political, and economic issues.

The festival is divided into two themed weeks: Meat Week (Kreatini) and Cheese Week (Tyrini). The highlight is the Grand Carnival Parade at the end of the second week, where colorful floats and costumed groups march through Limassol. Throughout the festival, hotels and clubs host themed fancy dress balls and parties, enhancing the festive atmosphere.

The Limassol Municipality organizes the Grand Parade along Makarios Avenue, covering a distance of approximately 7 kilometers. In 2016, new regulations were introduced to better manage the event, including limits on group sizes, alcohol consumption, and music broadcasting.