50 days before the Greek Christian Orthodox Easter is “Clean Monday”, the start of Lent. For the previous 11 days carnivals are held in towns and villages throughout Cyprus , but the biggest and most colourful takes place in Limassol. Starting on a Thursday, the Carnival King's arrival is the signal for 11 days of masquerading and feasting, culminating in a float procession on the final Sunday.

In between there is a children's fancy dress parade, Serenaders singing traditional carnival songs around the town and on Carnival Tuesday the Limassol Municipality organises a dance at the Medieval Castle Square in which everyone is invited to participate, with many coming in amazing costumes.

A family experience not to be missed.

The Summer Cultural Festival lasts from July to the end of September and hosts orchestras, bands, modern and classical ballet and theatre from all over the world, including Shakespearean nights and ancient Greek drama at the Curium Amphitheatre

Throughout July and August each year the 2000 year old Curium Amphitheatre stages classical and modern theatre.

The annual Flower Celebration began in Ancient Greece as a festival to welcome the arrival of spring which is a time for the renewal of life and nature everywhere and has, over the years, become a well established tradition in Limassol.

The annual Flower Celebration is organized by the Yermasoyia Municipality with the support of various other organizations and takes place each May. It lasts for two days and has exhibitions, a flower market, shows and the main highlight of the event which is the parade of chariots decorated with flowers and people in a variety of costumes.

Yermasoyia is to the east of Limassol, where the majority of Limassol's hotels are located, and the whole area is decorated with beautiful flowers and plants during the Flower Festival.

For 10 days in June and July the Municipal Gardens is the venue for a programme of music, song and dance by both international and local artists.

A unique Cypriot celebration, the Festival of the Flood (as it is otherwise known) coincides with (Greek) Pentecost and is marked by festivities at all seaside towns. Beware - some of these involve lots of water. This festival takes place 50 days after Easter, usually in June.

Starting with an ecclesiastical ceremony with the priest proceeding to the harbour holding a cross, after prayers he hurls it into the sea for keen swimmers to rescue. The diver who brings it up and hands it back receives the priest's blessing and also the prize of a sovereign .

After this various celebrations take place on the Olympion Promenade near the town, where stalls selling local produce, toys and other items can be found.

To celebrate the end of their grape harvesting, many wine-making villages in the Limassol district hold festivals during August, September and October. It is an opportunity for relatives and friends to get together.

Festivities often include folk music and dance, exhibitions of agricultural products, flowers, folk art, photography, painting, silverware and (particularly in Lefkara and Omodhos) embroidery. This is a chance to get a flavour of true Cypriot life and sample some of the traditional local delicacies.

The Wine Festival first took place in 1961 and is now firmly established as an annual event every September. It is held in the Municipal Gardens on the Olympion promenade where a giant statue of a Cypriot village winegrower welcomes you at the gate dressed in his traditional costume. This is now the emblem of the festival.

The event is organized by the Limassol Municipality and the wines produced by local wineries are offered free of charge for everyone to sample in unlimited quantities.

A variety of eating places are also set-up where delicious local dishes can be purchased. Folkloric dancing, singing and theatrical plays take place in the gardens and the adjoining open-air theatre. It is an enjoyable night out for all the family.