How is Christmas celebrated in Cyprus?
Cyprus is home to Orthodox Christians, but they celebrate Christmas on the same day as Catholics. There are also other interesting facts about Christmas in Cyprus.
- History of the celebration
- Christmas traditions
- Christmas markets
- Frequently asked questions about Christmas
History of the Celebration
Christmas began to be celebrated in Cyprus not so long ago. Actually, Easter has always been the biggest religious holiday on this part of the island. And winter, first of all, meant the New Year. However, in the last decade, perhaps influenced by the West, Christmas in Cyprus has also become very prominent: endless gifts, many traditions, and carefully thought-out decorations.
According to local Cypriots, "in the old days, people lived modestly: there was no money for gifts, Christmas trees, and fireworks. You would hardly see any decorations—only in European homes, not in those of Greek Cypriots or Turkish Cypriots. And I definitely don’t remember my school friends giving or receiving gifts," shares a local in a report from Cyprus Mail.
However, over time, with the arrival of British administration and especially after the division of the island in 1974, Christian traditions from Europe have firmly settled in the southern part of Cyprus.
Christmas Traditions in Cyprus
Decorating Homes and Boats
While decorating homes may not be a big surprise, decorating boats is something not everyone does. However, homes are decorated not only on the inside: wreaths made from fir and olive branches adorn many doors and balconies.
Caroling
If you are in Cyprus and hear "Na ta pume?" on your doorstep, make sure to answer "yes," as it means "Shall we sing?" and they will sing "Kalanda"—traditional Cypriot Christmas songs! Groups of carolers who go door to door are just one of the festive entertainments in Cyprus. Carolers are usually rewarded with small gifts—money, sweets, or nuts.
Vasilopita
Vasilopita is a delicious cake synonymous with Christmas and New Year's on Cyprus. Traditionally, a coin is placed in the dough during baking, and when the family cuts the cake on New Year’s, the person who finds the coin in their slice will have a year of good luck and fortune.
Loukoumades
Loukoumades are tasty little balls made from honey dough. They are very delicious, but be careful not to eat them all, as they serve another purpose. During the 12 days of Christmas, you must be very cautious, as mischievous Christmas spirits, known as "kalikantzari," can descend through the chimney and cause chaos in your house. Luckily, you can get rid of these troublesome spirits by throwing loukoumades onto the roof.
The Search for the Cross in the Sea
Are you a good swimmer and love cold water? Then head to the sea on January 6, when the bishop throws a wooden cross into the sea, and everyone dives in to find it. The lucky person who finds it will have good fortune throughout the following year.
This actually happens on Epiphany, January 6, the Day of St. Epiphany. But all of this falls under the broader Christmas period. For more on the beautiful tradition of the holiday known as "Fota," read our article.
Christmas Markets
Municipal Christmas Markets
At the end of the year, eight traditional villages will delight you with numerous authentic Christmas events that you can participate in, leaving you with lifelong memories! The participating villages are Agros, Derinya, Fikardou, Kalopanayiotis, Kiti, Kyperounta, Laiki Geitonia (Nicosia), and Lefkara. The Christmas villages will be open daily until January 6, 2025.
Cultural events, stands with local products and crafts, gastronomic and craft workshops, outdoor activities, village tours, local restaurants and hotels with delicious festive menus, and many other surprises await you to experience the unique Cypriot Christmas.
Private Christmas Events
In addition to the municipalities, various clubs, bars, botanical gardens, public spaces, and other establishments also organize events. For example, we recently wrote about the most interesting events taking place at the end of December. Here are a few of them:
- Handmade in Cyprus (December 14-15)
- Christmas Market in Pyrgos (December 14)
- Christmas Festival at CyHerbia Botanical Park (December 14-15)
- Christmas Market at Prozak (December 20-22)
- Christmas Market in Kolle (December 21-22)
- Xmas Fest Festival in Limassol Old Town (December 21-22 and 28-29)
- Christmas Market in Platres (December 21 – January 6)
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas in Cyprus
How long is Christmas officially celebrated?
The official public holidays are three days: December 24 (Christmas Eve), December 25 (Christmas Day), and December 26 (Boxing Day). Additionally, almost no one works on January 1.
Until what time are the Christmas markets open?
As for the municipal markets in villages, the program often ends quite early, around 18:00 (Kyperounta, Fikardou) or 19:00 (Kalopanayiotis, Agros), but some have announced opening until 21:00 (Derinya, Lefkara) and even 22:00 (Laiki Geitonia), but only from Friday to Sunday; on weekdays, they close by 18:00. Private urban markets in establishments may last until midnight, turning into a disco.
On which days are the Christmas markets open in Cyprus?
The village markets are open daily from Christmas Eve, December 23, until January 7. Additionally, on weekends—from Friday to Sunday—the markets have been operating since the end of November and usually until January 6-7. Some even stay open until mid-January.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…