Cyprus’ Christmas celebrations

Καλά Χριστούγεννα! Christmas is around the corner so, get ready to experience the most beautiful time of the year in Cyprus, like never before.

Christmas traditions in Cyprus

Cypriot begin celebrating Christmas when December begins, keeping the Christmas spirit high. Across the island there are plenty of Christmas villages and events, as well as various festivals going on. Markets and fairs, festive entertainment, and music start to pop up.

Of course, delicious Cypriot food cannot be missing from the table during these festive days. Cypriot people value their family links very much, making family gatherings during this period a tradition.

Despite Greek Orthodoxy being the majority faith in Cyprus, Christmas is generally celebrated on December 25th. Christmas gifts are typically unwrapped on New Year’s Day, rather than Christmas. This is a way that Cypriots honor Saint Vasilis, the Greek saint who is associated with Santa. Moreover, children honor the tradition of singing “kalanda” (carols), going round the houses in their neighborhood and saying the well-known phrase “na ta poume, na ta poume?” (Shall we say them?).

Food traditions during Christmas time in Cyprus

Forty days before Christmas, people start fasting in order to purify their body and soul, and commemorate Christ's birth. On Christmas day the fasting ends and people sit down together to enjoy their food. On Christmas Eve, the christopsomo is prepared which is a delicious bread and means “the bread of Christ”. Usually, it includes a cross on it and the bread is cut for people to eat on Christmas day.

The famous sweets Melomakarona and Kourabiedes are popular during the festive season in Cyprus.

Cypriot Christmas food is centered on utilizing the best seasonal and local foods, similar to the cuisine of the rest of the year. Avgolemoni soup is usually served on the feasting table, which is a thick lemony and chicken soup. But of course, the traditional Cypriot souvla is an essential dish, that Cypriot love and is so good that it must be tasted! As previously stated, Cypriot people just love good meals and most of their traditions have to do with the strong food culture. The typical sweet treats that are freshly baked in every house during Christmas period are the “Melomakarona” and “Kourabiedes”. They are so delicious, we swear!

Christ’s baptism 6th of January

Every year on 6th of January, people in Cyprus celebrate the Christ’s baptism which according to Orthodox belief held place on this date. To honor the water, which has long been seen as a symbol of christening, people gather at harbors in Cyprus and many jump in the freezing cold waters to search and find the cross that a bishop has thrown into the sea. The cross’ finder is believed to have a fortunate year and is blessed by the church.

The weather during December in Cyprus

During December it might rain on the island, but not always. Depending on the area, the temperature differs. It might reach twenty degrees and can drop down to ten degrees. During this time, the sun is still shining bright.

Christmas in Cyprus is magically unique and the festive season is celebrated like nowhere else in the world. Get ready to decorate your tree and treat yourself with a piece of enjoyable Melomakarona or Kourabiedes.