The October 1 public holiday offers a chance to escape the city and experience four festivals celebrating local food, music and traditions.
From fresh fish and seafood in Xylophagou to traditional products in Skarinou, fermented palouzes in Pachna and live music in Aradippou, each event offers a different way to spend the holiday.
Here are four Cyprus festivals taking place on October 1.
Fisherman’s Festival returns to Xylophagou
After being postponed in July, the Fisherman’s Festival returns to Xylophagou on Thursday, October 1.
The event will take place at the Xylophagou Fishing Shelter from 3pm to 8pm, bringing together fresh fish, seafood, music and maritime traditions.
Visitors can enjoy seafood dishes, live cooking demonstrations and tastings, while fishing and net-making demonstrations will offer an insight into the traditional work of local fishermen.
Live music by PASPARTOU will create a festive atmosphere, alongside traditional dancing, children’s activities and games for families.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Xylophagou Fishing Shelter, 3pm–8pm.
Traditional Culture Festival in Skarinou
The 21st Traditional Culture Festival of the Larnaca Rural Women’s Association will take place in Skarinou from 11am to 8pm.
Held under the theme “Flavour of the Countryside, Taste of Milk”, the event focuses on Cypriot rural traditions, local products and traditional food.
Visitors can explore food and traditional product stalls, including certified PGI products from the Larnaca Rural Women’s Association.
The programme also features hands-on workshops showcasing traditional skills and crafts, including handmade pasta, terziellouthkia and kaloirka, as well as demonstrations of pottery from Kornos and crafts made with cocoons.
Traditional cooking demonstrations will feature trahanas, halloumi, ayran, anari cream, tsipopita and almond sweets. Visitors will also have the opportunity to make their own halloumotes.
Television chef Chryso Lefou will be at the festival, while the Nomades music group will provide the entertainment.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Skarinou, 11am–8pm.
Palouze Festival in Pachna
Pachna will dedicate its October 1 celebration to its distinctive palouzes, a traditional sweet closely associated with the grape harvest and the village’s winemaking heritage.
Unlike the more common version of palouzes, the Pachna recipe involves kneading flour and grape must together before gradually adding more must until the mixture becomes a smooth, flowing consistency.
The traditional recipe also uses must exclusively from Xynisteri, a native white grape variety harvested in the area in October.
The technique dates back to at least the late 19th or early 20th century and was added to Cyprus’ National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017.
The festival will feature demonstrations, tastings and cultural events, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the traditional preparation method and the village’s grape-growing heritage.
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Parking area, Pachna, Limassol district.
Information: www.pachnavillage.com.
Ermis Fest in Aradippou
The Ermis Café and Ermis Cultural Club of Aradippou are organising the third Ermis Fest on October 1.
The traditional music and dance festival will take place at the square of Agios Loukas in Aradippou, in the parking area.
The event will feature live music, drinks, street food and traditional Aradippou hospitality, with activities aimed at both children and adults.
Thursday, October 1
Agios Loukas Square, Aradippou.
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