What to do in Cyprus this weekend, September 11–13? Eight events

Live Halloumi preparations, night sky observations, international dances on Finikoudes, the history of computer games, a city festival in central Nicosia, and a traditional grape harvest in a mountain village. The weekend of September 11–13 brings a unique array of events across Cyprus.

We've selected eight options that are truly worth getting out of the house for. There are free events, family-friendly events, culinary events, music events, and others that aren't held every week on the island. You can check where each event is on our map.

LARNACA: Three evenings of folklore at Finikoudes

From Friday to Sunday, the Finikoudes promenade will be the stage for the 19th Mediterranean Festival of Traditional Dance, Choirs, and Bands. International groups will come to Larnaca, and Cyprus will be represented by 15 groups from all regions of the island.

Each evening, performances will begin at 8:00 PM. The program includes traditional dances, music, choir performances, and a parade through the city center.

This is one of the strongest free options of the weekend, especially since all the main events take place right on the Finikoudes promenade.

When: September 11–13
Time: from 8:00 p.m.
Where: Finikoudes, Larnaca
Entry: free

PAPHOS: Halloumi, trachanas and palouzes at Simou AgroFest

On Saturday, head to Simou in the Paphos region. From 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the village will host AgroFest, an all-day celebration of the Cypriot countryside, local cuisine, and traditional crafts.

You'll be able to see wheat being threshed and milled, trachanas being prepared, halloumi and anari being made, and palouzes being made. Local producers, artisans, musicians, and dance groups will also be on hand.

The organizers also prepared workshops, farm animals, horse rides and attractions for children.

When: Saturday, September 12
Time: 11:00–19:00
Where: Panagia Chryseleousa Square, Simou
Entry: free

NICOSIA: Consoles and computers of several generations

The exhibition "The History of Video Games" opens at the Pallas Theatre on Paphos Gate. It's a journey through the development of video games and personal computers – from the first home devices and the pixel era to the next generations of gaming hardware.

The exhibits come from the collections of the Video Games Museum of Crete and the Cyprus Computer Museum.

During the weekend, the exhibition will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The exhibition will also remain open from September 15th to 17th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This is a great option especially for families and a good alternative to another outdoor festival.

When: September 12–13 and 15–17
Where: Pallas Theatre, Paphos Gate, Nicosia
Entry: free

NICOSIA: United Street Festival at Eleftheria Square

If you prefer contemporary urban culture over tradition, it is worth visiting Eleftheria Square on Saturday and Sunday.

The United Street Festival will combine concerts, art, design, street food, and local artist booths. Featuring artists such as Cilia Katrali and Papazó with their full band.

The lower level of the square will also be transformed into a large creative market with works by over 40 Cypriot designers, artists, craftsmen and small local brands.

When: September 12–13
Where: Eleftheria Square, Nicosia
Tickets: 10 euros in advance; 12–15 euros at the door

KALAVASOS: Three days of Xarkis Festival

Another option takes you to Kalavasos in the Larnaca region. The 12th Xarkis Festival will take place there from Friday to Sunday.

This is one of the weekend's more unique events. The program combines contemporary art with Cypriot culture and the local community. Workshops, performances, screenings, traditional crafts, and artistic activities for various age groups are planned.

The festival isn't limited to a single stage. Individual events will take place throughout the city.

When: September 11–13
Where: Kalavasos, Larnaca region
Entry: free

TROODOS: Night Sky and Astrophotography

"Never Stop Looking Up" is a completely different way to spend a weekend. For the first time, Cyprus is hosting a three-day international event dedicated to astrophotography.

Lectures, workshops, equipment demonstrations, and solar observations are scheduled from Friday to Sunday. One of the biggest attractions will be the night portion of the program at Amiandos Astropark in the Troodos Mountains.

Participants will observe and photograph the night sky under the guidance of experienced astrophotographers.

When: September 11–13
Start: Friday at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Cyprus Planetarium in Episkopeio and Amiandos Astropark
Tickets: 30–150 euros, depending on the package chosen

PAFOS: Grape harvest, grape trampling and zivania

On Sunday, Panagia invites you to the 6th Grape Harvest Festival.

The program is directly related to the traditional Cypriot grape harvest. A harvest demonstration at a nearby vineyard, featuring donkeys and traditional music, will be followed by grape trampling and a demonstration of zivania distillation.

The square will also feature stalls selling local grape-related products, traditional music and dancing.

This is one of the most Cypriot weekend activities and a good opportunity to see traditions that are slowly disappearing in many parts of the island.

When: Sunday, September 13
Start: 15:00
Where: Panagia Square, Paphos Region
Entry: free

LIMASSOL: Barrier-free Sunday in the Old Port

The weekend can be concluded in the Old Port of Limassol, where the fifth anniversary edition of the Access For All Festival will take place.

The event, dedicated to accessibility, inclusion, and diversity, features 3x3 basketball, Paralympic sports presentations, artistic performances, workshops, the Human Library, music, dance, and interactive educational stations.

The organizers emphasize that all activities will be accessible to people with disabilities. Appropriate communication routes and sign language interpretation will be provided.

When: Sunday, September 13
Time: 17:00–21:00
Where: Old Port Square, Limassol
Entry: free

A weekend full of choice

This time, it's hard to pinpoint a single highlight. Families can choose the history of games in Nicosia or the AgroFest in Simou. Lovers of local traditions can attend the grape harvest festival in Panagia or witness folklore in Finikoudes. Those looking for something a bit more unusual can opt for night sky watching in Troodos.

It's worth remembering that some events take place in mountain villages. Before setting off, it's a good idea to check travel times and the latest announcements from organizers, especially for events starting in the evening.

Sources: Visit Cyprus, Cyprus Mail, Municipality of Larnaca, Kalavasos Community Council, Center for Social Innovation, Visit Paphos.