Esteemed and beloved festivals are making their annual return this weekend alongside traditional, rural events that celebrate seasonal fruit, concerts and cultural happenings in every city. Here’s what’s on from Thursday to Sunday.
Beginning this week and running throughout June and July is the 28th Cultural Festival of the University of Cyprus, that is back in old Nicosia for another year of acclaimed cultural productions. Theatre, dance, song, literature and music performances will grace the floor of the Michalis Pieris Cultural Centre UCy from now until July 17. The festival’s first performance for 2025 is tonight and is a music-theatre performance titled Of the Dead Brother with actresses Nikoletta Verykiou and Elena Pavlidou, joined on stage by musician Pavlina Konstantopoulou.
Also starting this week is the 26th Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival, which until the end of the month will bring a series of performances from around the world. On Friday, Ali Chahrour’s The Love Behind My Eyes production will take the stage of the Rialto Theatre, where all but one performance will take place.
The festival’s only performance not in Limassol will be Sunday’s Full Moon, choreographed by Josef Nadj. It will be staged at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre before returning back to base for a Rialto Theatre show on June 11.
Cyprus’ villages also have a lot to celebrate this month, particularly their regional, summer fruit. On Friday, the Deryneia Strawberry Festival will bring together strawberry farmers, bakers and chefs to honour the diversity of the fruit. A competition will crown the best strawberry cake baker while, in the evening, big names from the Greek music scene will perform on stage. This year’s highlight is Peggy Zena.
Inland, Kambos tis Tsakistras will put on a two-day celebration for its annual Cherry Festival. On Saturday and Sunday, stalls with fresh cherries and traditional produce, workshops for children and adults, street food and Japanese delights over at Sakura Park will entertain visitors.
For a dose of theatre in English, the Women Empowerment Theatre presents the play The Decorator this Thursday and Friday at Theatro Dentro. The performance, written by Cypriot author Natasha Tavoujkian, is a touching comedy about two women.
This weekend also welcomes the start of summer’s many concerts. Kicking off the 2025 agenda is Alkinoos Ioannides, who will perform twice this week. On Friday, he will hold a concert at the Lakatamia Municipal Amphitheatre joined by fellow Cypriot musicians and collaborators Marios Takoushis, Lefteris Moumtzis, Yiannis Koutis and Nikolas Tsangaris. On Saturday, they will travel to the Limassol district for a concert at the Curium Ancient Theatre, performing against one of Cyprus’ most stunning backdrops.
In Nicosia, the a capella ensemble Vox Nova will perform doo-wop music live at Ktirion 53 on Friday at 7.30pm while on Saturday, the Ermis Michail Trio will bring jazz sounds to Sarah’s Jazz Club.
The Decorator
Theatrical production written by Natasha Tavoujkian. Presented by the Women Empowerment Theatre. June 5-6. Theatro Dentro, Nicosia. 8.30pm. In English. €15. www.soldoutticketbox.com
28th Cultural Festival of the University of Cyprus
Annual festival with cultural performances from Cyprus and abroad. June 5-July 17. Michalis Pieris Cultural Centre UCY, Nicosia. Tel: 22-894531-2, www.ucy.ac.cy
26th Cyprus Contemporary Dance Festival
10 productions from 7 countries. June 4-22. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. www.rialto.com.cy
Deryneia Strawberry Festival
Annual festival with chefs, farmers, singers, competitions and street food. June 6. Anagennisi stadium, Deryneia village. 5pm onwards
Kambos Cherry Festival
Local festival celebrating cherry harvest. June 7-8. Kambos tis Tsakkistras. 10am-10pm. Free
Alkinoos Ioannides
Concert of popular singer joined by Marios Takoushis, Lefteris Moumtzis, Yiannis Koutis and Nikolas Tsangaris. June 6. Lakatamia Municipal Amphitheatre, Nicosia. June 7. Curium Ancient Theatre, Limassol. Doors open at 8pm. Concert starts at 9pm. €30-45. Tickets at Oktagono Kiosk, Nicosia and Musical Paradise, Limassol. www.soldoutticketbox.com
Vox Nova
Performance by a capella ensemble. June 6. Ktirion 53, Nicosia. 7.30pm. €10 with one drink. Tickets available at the door
Ermis Michail Trio
Live jazz with Ermis Michail, Omiros Miltiadous, Kyriacos Kestas and special guest Tom Lumley. June 7. Sarah’s Jazz Club, Nicosia. 9.30pm. Tel: 95-147711
