14 traditional festivals for a fun September
The first month of autumn is festive and filled with the flavours and aromas of the island, along with music and dances, which flow through the villages, mountains, squares, and hills.
We have made your September plan and suggest traditional product events and festivals that will certainly give you a chance to sample the culture of the island.
Carob Festival
When: September 6
Where: Ayios Georgios Square, Peyia at 19.30
The Carob Festival is organised every year with the aim of passing on the tradition and culture to the locals and visitors alike. This year’s event will take place on Friday, September 6 at 19.30 in Ayios Georgios’ Square. This year’s event will feature a Traditional Cypriot Night. Visitors will also have the opportunity to watch the preparation of traditional Cyprus handmade products, Cypriot food preparation, traditional carob sweeteners, carob marmalade, and zivania. There will also be food for sale, and various traditional dishes and drinks served.
Pasteli Festival
When: September 6 at 19.00
Where: Anogyra, Limassol
The beautiful village of Anogyra is also organising the Pasteli Festival. After all, pasteli is directly connected to the village, and this festival has now become an institution, as this year it is being organised for the 31st year. The celebration will take place on Friday, September 6, at the Community Primary School at 19.00. The festival, which has become connected with the traditional product gives an opportunity to young and old to watch the spectacular creation process of the sweet every year. There is also a rich music and dance program, as well as food, pasteli and cookies with carob syrup.
Almond Dance
When: September 6
Where: Limnatis Community Park, Limnatis
The beautiful village of Limnatis stands out from all the other villages of Cyprus, because of the almond trees, since there are so many almond trees. So in honour of the tradition of the village, the Limnatis Community Council organised the annual Almond Dance on Friday, September 6th at 20.30 in the Community Park. In addition to the rich artistic program, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy free almond sweet. The dance is being held under the auspices of Limassol District Governor Marios Alexandros.
Bread and Bake Goods Festival
When: September 8
Where: Galata
Here, we will have the opportunity to get to know genuine Cypriot tradition, through this special and interesting festival. The Bread and Baked Goods Festival is dedicated to the production of various baked goods, since the area has a tradition in the field because of its mills. As part of the festival, which will take place at the Galata Cultural Centre, at 15.00, there will be an exhibition of traditional pastries, traditional products will be offered, and on-site pastries and traditional bread will be baked. There will also be a demonstration of traditional professions in the area of the folklore museum, as well as a photo exhibition, and there will be a rich traditional music and dance program. Also on the day of the event, the Museum of Folk Art and the Byzantine churches of the community will be open to the public, and there will be an organised tour starting at 11.00 from the church of Panayia Podithou.
Olive Festival
When: September 13, at 20.00
Where: Main Square, Tseri, Nicosia
The Olive Festival is the longest-running cultural event in the Municipality of Tseri. With over 50 years of tradition, it has been embraced by locals and visitors alike. In recent years, the organisers (Anagenissi Tseri) have been exhibiting pieces of the folk tradition and heritage of our country, including traditional professions, which are disappearing. It is perhaps one of the few opportunities given to younger people to live a part of the folk tradition and to remind older people of their childhood. So go to the Central Square of Tseri on Friday September 13 to enjoy plenty of food and drink.
Xylofagou Potato Festival
When: September 13 & 14
Where: Xylofagou, 19.30
For another year the largest potato producing village in Cyprus, Xylofagou of Larnaca will host the International Potato Festival with a two-day program, filled with food and drink. The festival will take place Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14, and will feature beloved artists, Thanos Petrelis, Triantafylllos, and Kelly Kelekidou.
Traditional Goods Festival
When: September 14
Where: Temvria, Nicosia
Sausages, rustic bread, capers, pastries, pies, salads, resi, zivania and trachanas… These and many more are the dishes you will find at this fesitval, where you will learn how they are prepared and enjoy them. The festival will take place on Saturday September 14 and attendees will have the opportunity to get to know the Cypriot tradition through food. There will also be a music performance. And for those of you who don’t know Temvria is a beautiful village located in the centre of the Solea Valley. Specifically, it is the fourth most populated village in the area.
Fruit and Charcuterie Festival
When: September 14 & 15
Where: Dymes, Limassol
Another festival coming this September gives us the chance to stroll in nature and of course get to know the local produce. The 2nd Festival of Fruit and Charcuterie, which will take place on the 14th and 15th of September, at the Strovolos Camp in Dymes, and we will enjoy all the products that are produced in the village. At the festival there will be an exhibition of the main crops grown in the area: apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, plums, golden apples, grapes, etc. Visitors will also be able to see a photo exhibition on fruits, traditional sausages, fruit products and more, including the distillation of zivania, the creation of palouze, Cypriot music, and children’s program. Food and drink are also included in the festival’s program. The festival is organised by the Community Council of Dymes. Admission to the festival will be free.
Orange Festival
When: September 14 at 19.00
Where: Ayia Paraskevi Square, Miliou
Another very special festival awaits us this early autumn in the small and picturesque community of rural Paphos, Miliou. This is the 3rd Orange Festival which will take place on Saturday September 14 at 19.00 in Ayia Paraskevi Square in Miliou. There, we will have the opportunity to taste the delicious oranges produced by the community and to taste the wonderful products made from orange such as fresh juice, spoon sweet, jam, water, liqueur, orange pie and even orange and honey beer. There will be food, drink and fresh oranges on the festival grounds.
Palouze Festival in Vasa Koilaniou
When: September 15 at 15.00
Where: Vasa Koilaniou, Limassol
So in September, the grape and its derivatives, most popularly palouze, are ready and fresh! In Vasa Koilaniou, on the 15th of the month, the women of the village will make palouze, which will be enjoyed free of charge, as well as soutzoukko, kiofterka and other grape by-products, which will be available for sale. Also, within the framework of the event there will be a bazaar with traditional products, such as arcatena, wine, loukoumades, trachanas, etc. The festival will be accompanied by an artistic program featuring Cypriot dances and songs. During the festival, visitors will also be able to visit the Museums of Education and Zivania, the Caves of Saint Barnabas and Timon as well as the village gem, the Church of the Annunciation.
Lefkaritiko Ttava Festival
When: September 15
Where: Lefkara Primary School
Ttavas, the extraordinary Cypriot dish that is especially associated with one of the most beautiful villages of Cyprus, Lefkara, where it has been prepared for centuries, will be honoured with a celebration dedicated to this exquisite food. Specifically, the Municipality of Lefkara also invites people to the Lefkaritiko Ttava Festival on Sunday, September 15th, in the yard of the Primary School. As part of the celebration, ttavas will be prepared, while traditional bands will frame the celebration. The celebration takes place on the occasion of the local celebration of the Holy Cross. In case you haven’t tasted it, the ttavas is made from lamb or goat and also contains rice. In a clay pot, meat, rice and then onions, tomatoes and potatoes are placed. Salt, pepper, seasoning, oil, and water as needed to cover the food are added, and then the pot is closed and let to bake for about 3-4 hours.
Pomegranate Festival
When: September 20
Where: Ormideia
Like every September, this year is the seventh anniversary of the Pomegranate Festival. The 7th Pancyprian Pomegranate Festival of Ormideia, which will take place on Friday, September 20, 2019 at 19.00 at the village community park. This is the only registered Pomegranate Festival on the island. As part of the festival, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of dishes and drinks this year, including fresh juice, liqueur, palouze, sausage, jam, zivania and loukoumi, all made from pomegranate. The full schedule of the Festival is expected to be announced soon.
Kolokassi Festival
When: September 20 at 19.00
Where: Sotira, Famagusta
Sotira Municipality is organising for the biggest celebration of Cypriot food. The highly anticipated 43rd Pancyprian Festival of Kolokassi will take place on Friday, September 20, 2019, at Sotira Municipal Stadium at 19.00. The Festival is held every two years, alternately with the Kolokassi Tasting Night and in 2017 it attracted more than 7,000 visitors, while there was a musical performance by the popular Greek singer Melina Aslanidou. This year the “Pancyprian Sotira Kolokassi Festival” is coming again to offer its guests a unique experience, and giving them the opportunity to get acquainted with traditional and fresh recipes of this product of designated origin.
Honey Festival
When: September 21 & 22
Where: Kalopanayiotis, Nicosia
The Honey Festival comes to Kalopanayiotis on the weekend of September 21 and 22. The Kalopanayiotis Community Council is organising for the third year the Festival of Honey and Beehive Products in the beautiful village. The community and all partners and community organisations are prepared to welcome thousands of visitors and provide you with unforgettable entertainment experiences and above all sweet authentic Cypriot honey flavours from all over Cyprus.
