Every spring, as the cool sea breeze begins to hint at warmer days ahead, the island of Cyprus bursts into colour and sound. Across towns and cities, from ancient coastal harbours to modern marinas, the Carnival season awakens a spirit of joy, satire, and shared cultural identity.

Ayia Napa has now put in a bid to join the EU’s Medicarnaval network – a celebration of carnival traditions across the Mediterranean – meaning the world is taking notice of Cyprus’s unique brand of carnival magic.

If you were to call Cyprus home, this is a side of the island that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe.

When the carnival gets going, the city is overtaken by dancing and parties

A centuries-old celebration

Carnival in Cyprus is no modern invention. Its roots stretch deep into Hellenistic times, honouring Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, theatre and merriment. Over the years, this tradition has absorbed Venetian flair, British humour and Cypriot resilience, becoming a living reflection of the island’s multicultural past and hopeful present.

Nowhere is this more alive than in Limassol, where Carnival is an institution. For ten days, the city becomes a stage: elaborate floats parade through Makariou Avenue, political satire shares space with children’s parades, and Tsiknopempti – the Thursday of sizzling meat – fills the air with the delicious aromas of last-chance indulgence before Lent. You’ll find jesters in drag and queens in sequins because Carnival in Limassol has long been a spectacle of liberation and tradition, humour and heritage.

Ayia Napa Marina: The new pulse of fun

Further east, a new player is redefining what Carnival means for a younger, more international crowd. The Ayia Napa Marina Carnival is rapidly becoming one of the must-visit events of the season, especially for families and travellers looking for a vibrant coastal escape.

Imagine samba rhythms echoing across the marina, Brazilian dancers twirling under the sun, children squealing in delight as they pose with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and DJs keeping the tempo high with carnival classics. The carnival takes over the city and everyone gets involved. On one corner you’ll find face-painting stations and on the next unicycle acrobatics. It’s a full-blown festival of senses.

And it’s not just for show. Events like these are positioning Ayia Napa as a serious player in the European cultural scene. The town’s Medicarnaval proposal, which partners it with Italy’s Putignano and Greece’s Patras Carnival, aims to promote cross-border exchange, encourage artistic collaborations, and modernise how carnival culture is celebrated and preserved.

While you will see traditional dress on show, there are less, er, conventional outfits

Paphos: Carnival with a community heart

To the west, Paphos Carnival strikes a more grassroots tone. It may not have the grandeur of Limassol or the glitz of Ayia Napa, but it compensates with infectious energy and a strong sense of local pride. Crowds gather at Kennedy Square and move through the city, squirting foam, throwing tickertape, and cheering as floats, often handmade by schools and community groups, roll past to the beat of whistles and cheers.

It’s chaotic, it’s noisy – and it’s utterly delightful. The spirit of participation is everything here. No one watches from the sidelines for long. You’ll find yourself dancing, laughing, and perhaps even covered in glitter by the time the last float has passed.

From tradition to transformation

What ties these diverse celebrations together is a shared belief in Carnival as more than just entertainment. It’s a cultural ritual – one that gives space for satire, for social commentary, for the suspension of everyday norms. It’s a celebration of life at its most spontaneous, colourful, and connected.

With Cyprus now looking outward – embracing its Mediterranean neighbours through initiatives like Medicarnaval – these local festivities could soon find new stages across Europe. And in turn, the island could become a crossroads of Carnival culture, where ancient rituals meet modern rhythms under the Mediterranean sun.

So, whether you’re drawn by the samba at the marina, the satire in Limassol, or the grassroots charm of Paphos, Cyprus in Carnival season offers more than just a good time. It offers a glimpse into a nation that celebrates with heart, humour, and a whole lot of sequins.