I’ve been getting lots of questions about Christmas in Cyprus—whether it’s worth visiting during the holiday season and if there are any special events. So, I decided to write a detailed post about everything happening in Cyprus this Christmas.
Let me start by saying that Cyprus isn’t the first destination that comes to mind for Christmas, especially if you’re seeking the classic European vibe with grand markets and impressive displays. However, if you’re looking for a warm-weather escape from colder climates, excellent hotels, heated pools, charming villages, and a light-hearted Christmas atmosphere—Cyprus delivers. The festive spirit here is lovely, with events mainly geared toward families with kids (but not exclusively). Holiday Schedule and Closures
Most Christmas events start in mid-November and continue until early January. It’s important to keep in mind that during the holiday days themselves, especially December 25–26, December 31, and January, most shops, and some cafés and restaurants, are closed. So if you plan to visit on these dates, be aware that not all venues will be open.
If you arrive after the first week of January 2026, most of the special events will likely have ended. You can still explore, get ideas, see what’s available, and check out the guide I wrote on things to do in Cyprus during the winter. Christmas Shopping and Sales
Most sales begin at the end of November with Black Friday and continue through December for Cyber Monday and Christmas promotions. It’s a great opportunity for holiday shopping and snagging deals. Christmas Villages in Cyprus
Every year, eight villages in Cyprus are selected to host Christmas in a more festive way, with plenty of decorations and holiday activities. This year, the villages are:
- Agros
- Deryneia
- Fikardou
- Kalopanagiotis
- Kakopetria
- Kyperounta
- Stato-Agio Fotio
- Lefkara
The Christmas Villages will be operating from 22 November 2025 until 6 January 2026 (inclusive), as follows:
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, and daily from 22 December 2025 until 6 January 2026.
For detailed information about each village and what activities are available, visit the official Cyprus Tourism Organization website.
For those asking which village I recommend visiting, I’ve only been to some of them, but I really love Lefkara. In my opinion, it’s definitely worth a visit and even staying overnight. I wrote a detailed blog post about Lefkara unrelated to Christmas, which is worth reading to see what else there is to do there and where it’s recommended to stay.
Another beautiful village is Kakopetria, which is very charming. I wrote about it in more detail in my guide to the Troodos region.
Of course, to visit these villages, it’s best to rent a car. In the winter season, prices are very low (you can rent a car for less than 30 euro per day, including insurance) because Cyprus is not heavily touristed in the winter, and rental companies have excess stock. You can read more about discounts and where to rent a car in Cyprus in my recently updated post.
The “Christmas Villages” project takes place every year, with different villages selected each time. These villages are decorated festively for the holidays and host street stalls, performances, and various activities for visitors to enjoy. Agros
A picturesque village in the Troodos Mountains, famous for its rose products, jams, and traditional sausages. The atmosphere is authentic and peaceful, with stunning mountain views. The easiest way to get there is from Nicosia or Limassol – about a one-hour drive. Deryneia
Located near Famagusta in eastern Cyprus, known for its strawberry cultivation and annual Strawberry Festival. The village has small museums and historic ruins, offering an authentic rural atmosphere. The easiest way to reach it is from Larnaca or Protaras – about a 40-minute drive. Fikardou
A small mountain village that has preserved its 18th-century character, with stone and wooden houses. A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing traditional village life. Easily accessible from Nicosia – about a 50-minute drive. Kalopanagiotis
A charming village in the Stiris River Valley, known for its Byzantine monasteries and hot springs. Narrow alleys and stone houses create a romantic atmosphere. Most easily reached from Nicosia or Limassol – about a 1 hour 15-minute drive. Kakopetria
One of the most picturesque villages in the Troodos region, with flowing rivers, ancient watermills, and Byzantine churches. Ideal for hiking and nature retreats. Recommended access from Nicosia – about a 55-minute drive, or from Limassol – about an hour’s drive.
This is one of the villages we loved most in Cyprus and also serves as a great base for exploring the Troodos area. 
Kyperounta
A typical high-altitude wine village, surrounded by vineyards and pine forests. Known for its wineries and agricultural festivals. The easiest way to reach it is from Limassol – about a 50-minute drive. Stato-Agio Fotio
A peaceful village made up of two merged communities, with agriculture and mountainous scenery. Perfect for an authentic rural experience. The easiest access is from Paphos – about a 50-minute drive.
Lefkara
Lefkara is a village famous for its lacework and silver handicrafts, with picturesque stone alleys and historic houses. It combines culture, history, and local art. Most easily reached from Larnaca or Limassol – about a 35-minute drive.
Even last year, Lefkara was selected as one of the Christmas celebration villages, and I’ve heard good reviews from friends about the festivities. 
Last year, we visited the village of Kiti, near Larnaca (this time it’s not one of the Christmas villages, but it gives a good idea of what the villages look like). We arrived on Friday afternoon, and the village was absolutely charming. There were food and souvenir stalls, along with beautiful and unique decorations.
One room allowed visitors to write letters to Santa, and another allowed visitors to meet Santa in person. It was our first time visiting this village, and we were pleasantly surprised by the whole Christmas village experience. I highly recommend visiting, especially on the weekend, as the village is livelier and offers special activities for kids.
The village also has a few restaurants that looked nice. We chose to dine at the Indian restaurant Flavors @ THE LANDMARK Indo Thai Restaurant on the main street. The chicken tikka dish was absolutely amazing, and the palak paneer was delicious as well. They also have a kids’ menu, which is very convenient for families.
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Directions: The restaurant is easy to find on the main road in Kiti Village. 
Christmas in Larnaca
Christmas Market
Every year, Larnaca hosts a Christmas market with over 200 stalls selling souvenirs, food, and crafts. The festive atmosphere in the city, especially in St. Lazarus Square, is delightful, with a decorated Christmas tree and lights across the town. For more details .
- Dates: December 5–7, 2024
- Friday: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 3:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Entry fee: €2.50 (free for children under 12).
- Photo with Santa Claus: €5.
We visited this market last year and two years ago with our daughters, and had a great time. We stayed at Quality Lodge, just a 5-minute drive from the market. The lines at the entrance were long, but they managed it efficiently, and we only waited about 10–15 minutes. 
Christmas Wonderland in Larnaca
On October 25, Larnaca opened its “Christmas Wonderland” in Europe Square on the Finikoudes Promenade. This family-friendly park features rides, live performances, sweet treats, and games, mostly suitable for kids aged 3–8. We visited last year and had a wonderful time. Directions .
For updated details, check their Facebook page. 
Christmas in Limassol
Marina Lighting Ceremony
The date for the 2025 ceremony has not been announced yet – I will update once it is published. Every year, a festive ceremony is held at Limassol Marina to mark the opening of the Christmas season, with the lighting of a 12-meter Christmas tree in the marina square.
The event, usually starting at 16:00, will include a Christmas market, a children’s craft workshop, music and dance performances, including a children’s choir. In addition, Santa Claus is expected to arrive with gifts for the children.
We attended this event last year. While the tree was impressive, it was quite crowded, and the space felt a bit small for the number of visitors. Still, it’s worth visiting for a quick look before exploring the marina and promenade. Christmas Market and Children’s Show
On 13–14 and 20–21 December 2025, the annual event “Limassol Christmas Show – The Magic of Christmas” will take place at the Aphrodite Amathusia Public Parking in Agios Tychonas, Limassol. The event will be open from 11:00 to 21:00.
Now in its third year, the event is an ideal destination for families, couples, and children, and is divided into two main parts. The first part, “The Magic of Christmas”, is an exhibition of gifts, decorations, and holiday products, featuring the best local and international professionals. Visitors can purchase everything needed for the holidays, from handcrafted souvenirs to elaborate Christmas tree designs.
The second part of the event, “Limassol Christmas Show”, is dedicated to children and holiday fun. Activities include photos with Santa Claus, choir performances, magicians, face-painting stations, craft workshops, and a variety of surprises that will be revealed throughout the event. More details. Limassol Mall & Anexartisias Street
The Limassol Mall will host Christmas activities for kids starting November 25 and throughout December. For updates, check the mall’s social media page. On Anexartisias Street, you’ll find festive decorations, a Christmas tree, and weekend market stalls selling waffles, mulled wine, and kids’ train rides. 
Things to do in Limassol
Limassol with kids
Recommended hotels in Limassol Christmas in Paphos
The events in Paphos for 2025 have not been announced yet – I will update once they are published.
Things to do in Paphos
Paphos with kids
Recommended hotels in Paphos Christmas Festival at CyHerbia Botanical Park
On December 13–14, the CyHerbia Botanical Park will host a magical Christmas festival. Highlights include:
- A Christmas Maze
- Elf games
- Meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch
- Magic shows
- Creative workshops
- A Christmas market featuring unique gifts and delicious winter treats
Entry tickets cover all activities, and guests will also receive a complimentary cup of warming winter tea.
The festival runs from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and offers various creative workshops, such as making Christmas ornaments, soaps, candles, and more. For more details. Final Tips and Summary
While Christmas in Cyprus offers a different vibe than the classic European experience, it still provides a charming and festive atmosphere, especially for families. Highlights include the Christmas villages, city markets, and family-friendly events. For those traveling without kids, exploring the beautifully decorated Christmas villages and strolling through city centres is a delightful way to soak up the holiday spirit.
Most large hotels in Cyprus decorate for Christmas and host festive activities. For example, during our stay at Parklane Hotel in Limassol, Santa Claus visited with gifts, and the overall atmosphere was magical. 
Finally, many malls and playgrounds also offer special Christmas-themed activities for children. Be sure to check their social media pages for schedules and updates.
In conclusion, if you are planning a visit to Cyprus between 22 November 2025 and 6 January 2026, you can enjoy festive decorations, Christmas markets, and holiday activities across the island. Christmas in Cyprus may differ from the classic European experience, but it offers a pleasant atmosphere, special events, and beautifully decorated villages, making it particularly attractive for families.
The Christmas celebrations include selected villages hosting activities and holiday fairs, Christmas markets in major cities like Larnaca and Limassol, and family-friendly festivals with performances, children’s rides, and shows. In addition, there are shopping events with discounts throughout November and December.
For anyone seeking a festive getaway close to home, with activities for children and a light, cheerful holiday atmosphere, Cyprus can be an excellent destination to experience the magic of Christmas. Pin below to save on Pinterest
More posts I wrote on that
Relocation to Cyprus – why did we choose to move to Cyprus?
My recommendations for car rentals in Cyprus
The complete guide to real estate investments in Cyprus
Best villages near Limassol, in Cyprus
What to do in Paphos with kids – recommendations for attractions for children in Paphos, Cyprus
Recommended things to do in Limassol
Things to Do in Nicosia
Recommended hotels in Cyprus