The August Festivals to Go To
The busiest summer month is here and in between tanning by the beach, camping under the Mediterranean starry sky and sipping cocktails, there’s a whole list of festivals and music events to be explored.
From international sounds to celebrating local, rural life, here’s your guide to August’s must-visit festivals.
Lemesos International Documentary Festival
Every August the non-profit organization Brave New Culture organizes the Lemesos International Documentary Festival; a big event screening contemporary documentaries from around the world and Cyprus. Housed in the beautiful Lanitis Centre, opposite the Medieval Castle in the heart of Limassol, the chosen documentaries always are innovative and eye-opening in their socio-political approach. The festival’s 13th edition, extends to Paphos on August 9th & 10th with a closing party at Almyra Hotel.
August 1st – 8th, €2 entrance per film, subtitles in Greek & English, Lanitis Center Limassol.
A highlight summer festival of the island bringing the best music of 2018 to Cypriot grounds. Over three days, international and local musicians will take the stage and sway the crowds with the sea as a backdrop. The festival’s ordinary location of the quaint Kato Drys village has been moved to the seaside Journalist’s Village in Larnaca. This year’s line-up includes world-renowned artists such as Joan As Police Woman from New York, TootArd from Golan Heights, Deerhoof from San Francisco and up-and-coming talents such as the South African Alice Phoebe Lou and Berliners Tau. Σtella, Negros tou Moria and Bazooka are some of the artists that will represent the Greek music scene. In totally, 22 acts and DJs will rock Fengaros 2018 on the two stages.
August 2nd – 4th, Single day ticket €25, three-day ticket €45, Journalist’s Village Pervolia Larnaca.
Paphos’ 4th wine and traditional product festival
The 4th edition of this local festival is taking place in Kamantarena Winery in Stroumbi village in Paphos. As every year, dozens of local producers will promoting and selling their goods at their kiosks, inviting people to taste the flavours of the island. The products sold are all distinctive of Cyprus such as carob, dairy products, trahanas. The winery will also be presenting the region’s wine and offering lots of their various wines to try. Traditional folk music and dance will be part of the festival too and if you get hungry, try the buffet that will be on offer.
August 3rd-4th, free entrance, Kamantarena Winery, Stroumbi, Paphos
Reggae sounds, sunshine and summer vibes will fill Paradise Place in Paphos for this year’s Reggae Sunjam this weekend. In the seafront bar 2 bands, international and local DJs will play Roots, Reggae, Dub, Steppers and Dancehall rhythms over two days. Drinks and food will be available as well as a handicraft market to browse through and enrich your summer fashion style. And there’s no need to leave the premises as camping is available with all the necessary facilities nearby.
August 4th-5th, €15 – 2 days, €10 – 1 day, Paradise Place, Pomos, Paphos
The quiet village of Katydata is being turned into a hub of music, art and Cypriot tradition again this year with the 5th Windcraft Music Fest. Nine music groups formed by renowned musicians from Cyprus and abroad will perform their works at a small, charming stage in the heart of the village over the two days. During the mornings, workshops of Cypriot handicraft and more will be held in the houses of the villages which open up their spaces and gladly welcome the festival-goers. The simplicity and authenticity of Windcraft make it a unique festival of the summer that’s not to be missed.
August 11th – 12th, €20 for single day / €25 for both, Katydata village, Nicosia.
Another reason to visit Paradise Place in Pomos in August is for the 19th Paradise Jazz Festival. This musical event celebrating jazz sounds will bring together musicians from the island and around the world to perform under the starry Paphos sky. The highlight of the festival is said to be saxophonist Gilad Atzmon, who’s returning to the festival after 12 years. Don’t miss his and other select performances in the 19th edition of the festival. And if you’re an eager jazz fan, join the jam session that will close the scene on both evenings.
August 17th – 18th, €12 per night/ free for children under 14, Paradise Place, Pomos, Paphos
As you may have gathered by now, a lot of festivals happen in villages bringing the people closer to their roots. Xarkis Festival is no different as it celebrates rural life by holding their events at Koilani village again in Limassol. Explore what the “Bottom-up HERITAGE” concept entails this time round by watching the performances of the artists and by joining their interactive workshop, all set in different spots of Koilani. This is the second year Xarkis is free and don’t forget to take your tent if you wish to camp out somewhere.
August 18th – 19th, free entrance, Koilani village, Limassol
As heaps of crowds head to the coast to enjoy Cyprus’ sandy beaches, those cooling down in Protaras are in for a treat on the 26th, the last Sunday of the month. All along the Protaras Promenade, bands and musicians will be playing in different locations so as you go on your evening stroll, you’ll be able to listen to music for free! From 20:00 onwards music will fill Protaras’ coastline to soothe your Sunday night. The event is organized by the Paralimni Youth Council, that’s very active all year round with cultural events.
August 26th, free, Protaras promenade
Every year, the festival invites a well-known opera troupe that performs outstanding representations of classical operas. This year’s festival welcomes Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece Il Barbiere di Siviglia (The barber of Seville) in a production by the Italian organisation C.I.A.L.M. – Teatro Lirico Italiano in collaboration with the Ventidio Basso Ascoli Piceno Theatre and the participation of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. A work of art all opera lovers are sure to enjoy with its lively and joyful music and arias. The opera will be held in open-air right be the Paphos castle next to the sea. In case you’re worried about the language don’t be. There will be a simultaneous translation in Greek, English and Russian via subtitles.
August 31st – September 2nd, tickets: €25, €40, €50 and €70, Paphos Castle
