Seasonal Events Calendar

Paphos has events through every season. The headline festivals — the Paphos Aphrodite Festival and the International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama — fall in late summer, but the calendar runs all year, and the gentler events of spring, autumn, and winter are often the most rewarding. This page is the year-round overview; specific dates change year to year, and Annabelle's concierge will have the current programme.

Spring

Spring brings the gardens into colour and the first major cultural events of the year:
- Easter (Orthodox) — Holy Week and Easter Sunday are major religious-cultural events across Cyprus. Midnight services, processions, traditional Easter foods. Annabelle marks Easter with traditional Cypriot menus and the local rhythms of the holiday.
- Anthestiria — the Flower Festival — held in many Cypriot cities including Paphos in late spring. Processions of decorated floats, traditional dance, public celebrations.
- Spring archaeology — the Archaeological Park is at its best in spring, with mild temperatures and wildflowers.
 

Summer

The high-cultural season:
- The Paphos Aphrodite Festival — three nights of international opera on the forecourt of the medieval castle. The cultural highlight of the year.
- The International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama — performances at the Paphos Odeon and the Curium amphitheatre.
- *Local panigyria*** — village patronal-saint festivals across the Paphos district, with traditional food, music, and dancing. Smaller, local, atmospheric. The villages of Drouseia, Kathikas, and Pano Panagia each have one.
 

Autumn

The wine harvest and quieter cultural seasons:
- Wine harvest events — across the Paphos wineries through September. Some open their doors for visiting events; see Vouni Panayia and Tsangarides for tasting visits during harvest.
- The new Markideio season — autumn marks the start of the indoor theatre's main season.
- Olive harvest — November-December across the Paphos district; some farms welcome visitors.
 

Winter

The season many visitors overlook — and one of the strongest reasons to come to Paphos:
- Christmas and New Year — Cypriot Christmas is family-centred and quieter than in northern Europe. Annabelle marks the season with traditional Cypriot menus, holiday programming, and a quieter rhythm.
- Outdoor lunches in December — Cyprus's mild winter regularly allows lunches on the seafront in shirtsleeves. One of the city's quiet pleasures.
- Winter cultural programme — the Markideio runs through the winter with regular performances.
- Theophania (Epiphany), 6 January — the blessing of the harbour waters; a community event at Paphos Harbour.
- Carnival — late February, with parades and celebrations.
 

From Annabelle

Specific dates rotate annually. Annabelle's concierge maintains the current calendar — by far the simplest way to know what's on during your stay is to ask reception when you arrive, or to check ahead through the hotel.