Public Holidays in Cyprus

Cypriots value not only siestas but also fiestas — they know how to celebrate with heart. On official holidays, life on the island comes to a standstill: government institutions and most private companies are closed. In tourist areas, you can find open shops, but this is rather an exception. Even museums and archaeological parks close their doors, for example, on Good Friday.

• 1 January — New Year
• 6 January — Epiphany (Saint Epiphany Day)
• 25 March — Greek Independence Day
• 1 April — Start of the National Liberation Struggle against British Colonial Rule (EOKA Day)
• 1 May — Labour Day
• 15 August — Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Virgin Mary)
• 1 October — Independence Day of the Republic of Cyprus
• 28 October — Ohi Day (Greece’s refusal in 1940 of Mussolini’s ultimatum)
• 24 December — Christmas Eve
• 25 December — Christmas Day
• 26 December — Boxing Day

Holidays with a variable date

• Clean Monday / Green Monday — 50 days before Easter, the beginning of Great Lent.
• Good Friday — the Friday before Easter.
• Bright Monday / Easter Monday — the day following Easter.
• Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood) — celebrated on the 50th day after Easter (on Trinity Sunday). Many shops and government offices are also closed 1–2 days before it.