Nicosia parade on October 1st. F-16s, new equipment, and closed streets

The Nicosia parade will begin on Thursday, October 1st at 11:00 AM on Iosif Hadjiiosif Avenue in Strovolos. The 66th anniversary celebrations are expected to be more extensive than in previous years. Philenews announces a flypast of Greek F-16s, the participation of Egyptian military aircraft, and the first demonstration of the BARAK MX air defense system.

It's worth arriving early for the festivities. The first road restrictions will come into effect at 6:30 a.m., with some streets remaining closed until 1 p.m. The Limassol-Nicosia highway will also be affected, as National Guard vehicles will be using the road.

What will we see during the parade?

According to Philenews, this year's parade will feature a larger number of infantry units, weapons, and aircraft. Spectators will be treated to both street displays and flyovers of the ceremony venue.

They are supposed to appear in the air two Greek F-16 fighters and Egyptian Airbus C295 transport planeThe aircraft were already involved in Tuesday's preparations over the capital.

Watch the video from the parade rehearsal

Before Thursday's parade, test flights were conducted over Nicosia. Below is a video of the preparations.

The test flights were part of the preparations for the ceremony. The parade itself will begin October 1st at 11:00 am on Iosif Hadjiiosif Avenue in Strovolos.

Egypt will also be represented by a military unit marching in the parade. Its presence is intended to emphasize the two countries' defense cooperation.

One of the most anticipated new releases is MX BARACKAccording to Philenews, the National Guard is scheduled to showcase this air defense system for the first time during the parade. This is a media announcement and should not be confused with the published, detailed schedule of the entire demonstration.

Nicosia Parade - Which Streets Will Be Closed?

Police announced temporary closures of six sections. The restrictions primarily affect the parade route and the access road from the GSP stadium.

The hours given apply October 1, 2026. Selected sections will be closed, not entire streets.

Difficulties also on the highway

Military vehicles will pass between Kornos and the GSP roundabout, in both directions, during the hours 6:00–8:00 and 12:00–14:00Police advise caution and use the old Limassol-Nicosia road where possible.

The recommended detours include Lemesou Avenue at the Kalispera traffic light and the bypass from the Tseriou roundabout. Ippokratous Street and Dimitri Christofia Street are also indicated.

To enter the area between Athalassas, Iosif Hadjiiosif, Spyrou Kyprianou, and the highway, take the exit at Olympic House. The exit is towards Spyrou Kyprianou, at the Church of Panagia tou Trachona.

The use of drones is prohibited during the event. Drivers should follow the officers' instructions.

It is worth planning your arrival before the roads are closed.

If you're planning to attend the parade, allow time for parking outside the closed sections and walking. The festivities starting at 11:00 AM don't mean you'll be able to easily access the route by then.

The parade is one of the main events of Independence Day. This year, it commemorates the 66th anniversary of the Republic of Cyprus. Although the country gained independence on August 16, 1960, the official holiday is celebrated on October 1.

For those interested in aviation and the military, this year's announcement is particularly interesting. However, it's worth remembering that the flight schedule may depend on weather conditions and organizers' decisions.

Sources: Cyprus Police, Philenews, Kathimerini