If you have visited North Cyprus before, you’ve most likely encountered at least one festival during your stay. Being extremely festival-happy, North Cyprus celebrates a plethora of traditional festivals each year with new ones continuously being added to the roster. The festivals aren’t devoid of the meaning of course. Each one focuses on a particular aspect or region of North Cyprus.

Handmade gifts at the Home Sweet Home stall

The festival season runs from February all the way to November, and it is typically opened with the Orchid Festival taking place in Lapta, which involves guided walks in the beautiful mountain-skirts to examine the rare wild orchids. As with most North Cypriot festivals, the village is transformed into a venue of festivities with stalls selling organic produce and cultural memorabilia, and displays of folk dancing that give closer insight into the diverse history of the island. This is shortly followed by the Tulip Festival in March celebrating the endangered crimson tulip endemic to Cyprus, another excellent opportunity for nature lovers to experience to glory of North Cypriot spring out in the fields.

The festivities continue throughout the year with multiple festivals taking place each month, and they cover exciting celebrations dedicated to regional produce.  One of the most popular of these is the Olive Festival where the pretty village of Zeytinlik transforms into a hub of cultural entertainment, giving the locals the chance to sell home-made traditional food and delights. In addition to these, there are also festivals that promote the unique history and culture of North Cyprus in general, such as the Büyükkonuk Eco-Tourism Festival in May (and October), Lapta Tourism Festival in June, Alsancak Folk Dance Festival in July, and Kyrenia Art and Culture Festival in August.

Guided nature walks

But it doesn’t stop there. North Cyprus celebrates international diversity as well as its own culture. The international concerts at the Bellapais Festival, running for over 20 years are centred around the historical wonder Bellapais Abbey. Located on the hilltop with breath-taking views of Kyrenia and the Mediterranean Sea, it celebrates international classical music in a truly moving atmosphere. Similar concerts take place in the stunning Salamis Ruins in Famagusta, with excellent productions that have previously featured the world-famous tenor José Carreras. Numerous other festivals, such as the International Film Festival in May and the International Carob Festival in September, continue to enhance the cultural experience in North Cyprus which has something to offer to everyone.

Folklore dancers for all to enjoy spectacular scene