Christmas markets in Cyprus 2026: the nine Christmas Villages and city markets

Christmas markets in Cyprus 2026: the nine official Christmas Villages (21 Nov – 6 Jan), Larnaca's Traditional Christmas Market and what's confirmed in Nicosia.

By Nina from InviteM · Published 10 Oct 2026 · Updated 10 Oct 2026

Christmas in Cyprus doesn't look like Christmas in Vienna or Strasbourg, and that's part of the appeal. You won't find one giant market here. Instead, the season is spread across mountain villages, a handful of city-centre markets and some much-loved one-weekend events. This guide covers what's officially confirmed for 2026. We'll add each remaining date once the organiser publishes it.

The nine Cyprus Christmas Villages (21 Nov 2026 – 6 Jan 2027)

Every winter the Deputy Ministry of Tourism promotes a set of traditional villages that dress up for the season. They offer cultural events, stands with local products and handicrafts, food and craft workshops, guided village walks, activities in nature and holiday menus in local restaurants and hotels. For 2026 the official dates are 21 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 (inclusive).

They don't open every day until Christmas week. The Deputy Ministry of Tourism's published schedule is:

• Weekends: 21–22 November, 28–29 November, 5–6 December and 19–20 December
• Fridays: 11 and 18 December
• Daily: from 21 December 2026 to 6 January 2027

The official page also lists a mid-December pair of dates as "14–15/12", which fall on a Monday and Tuesday, so if you're planning a visit on the weekend of 12–13 December, check that village's programme first. Hours and activities vary by village and are published on the Christmas Villages site.

The nine villages are below, grouped so you can plan a day out from each city.

From Limassol: Lofou, Agros and Kyperounta

• Lofou: a small hilltop village 26 km from Limassol, with cobbled lanes, old stone houses, a small agricultural museum and the 1842 Elitji fountain. It's the easiest Christmas Village to combine with an afternoon in town.
• Agros: set at about 1,100 metres in the Pitsilia area of the Troodos, Agros is known for its roses and for cured meats such as lountza and hiromeri, plus homemade preserves and sweets. You can visit local workshops where rose oil is distilled and sweets are made.
• Kyperounta: at around 1,300 metres, it's one of the highest villages on the island, known for apples, wine and traditional cold meats.

From Nicosia: Kakopetria, Fikardou and Kalopanagiotis

• Kakopetria: a large village at 670 metres, where the Karkotis and Garillis rivers meet. Two UNESCO-listed painted churches are nearby: Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis and Panagia Podythou (just outside neighbouring Galata).
• Fikardou: a carefully restored, almost deserted village at 900 metres. It was declared an Ancient Monument in 1978 and cars are not allowed in. Two of its houses are run as small museums of rural life by the Department of Antiquities.
• Kalopanagiotis: in the Marathasa valley, with thermal springs, a Venetian bridge and the UNESCO-listed Monastery of Agios Ioannis Lampadistis.

From Larnaca: Lefkara

Lefkara sits at 650 metres, 43 km from Larnaca, and is famous for lace embroidery and filigree silver, crafts practised in the village since Venetian times. Lefkara lace (Lefkaritika) is on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. You can watch lace and silver being made at the Lefkara Handicraft Centre, the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmithing and in local workshops, which makes it a natural place for Christmas gift shopping.

From Ayia Napa and Protaras: Deryneia

Deryneia, in the Famagusta district, is the island's main strawberry grower and has a Folk Art Museum and an Open Air Museum for Traditional Professions. Visit Cyprus notes a religious festival for Agios Modestos on 16 December each year, which falls during the Christmas Village season.

From Paphos: Statos-Agios Fotios

Statos-Agios Fotios, at 950 metres in the Paphos mountains, is the Paphos district's Christmas Village. The area grows apples, grapes, walnuts and almonds and makes its own wine. It's close to Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery, so you can combine both in one trip.

City Christmas markets

Traditional Christmas Market, Pyla (Larnaca): 11–13 December 2026

The Traditional Christmas Market at Forest Beach on Dhekelia Road, Pyla returns on Friday 11 December (17:00–22:00) and Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December (15:00–22:00). The organisers bill it as the oldest and largest Christmas market in Cyprus, running since 2012 with 100+ stalls. Expect mulled wine, festive food, handmade gifts, Christmas music and a Santa's Grotto. Tickets are on sale now, and children under 12 enter free with an adult. Dress warmly: it's partly outdoors and December evenings get cool.

Nicosia Christmas Market, Eleftheria Square

Last season, Handmade in Cyprus and the Nicosia Municipality ran a large Christmas market on Eleftheria Square, with dozens of local makers rotating through the season and workshops alongside. Event listings suggest it will return from late November 2026, but we couldn't find dates on an official organiser or municipality channel yet, and listings disagree on the closing date. Check Handmade in Cyprus's own pages for this year's days and hours before you go.

Larnaca Christmas Market, Zouhouri Square

In 2025 the Larnaka Municipality hosted a free Christmas market on Zouhouri Square over three December weekends (16:30–23:00), with food and drink stalls and an arts programme. A 2026 edition has been reported, but the municipality hasn't posted this year's dates on its own events page yet. Check larnaka.org.cy closer to December.

Limassol

Several December markets and Christmas events usually pop up around Limassol's old town and venues. At the time of writing, neither the Limassol Municipality nor the organisers had published 2026 market dates on their own channels. Keep an eye on limassol.org.cy and InviteM's weekly What's on guide, where we list them once they're confirmed.

Tips for visiting Christmas markets in Cyprus

Go mid-afternoon in the mountains

Mountain villages like Agros (1,100 m) and Kyperounta (1,300 m) are noticeably colder than the coast once the sun goes down. Arrive for lunch, do the stalls and workshops in daylight, and pack a warm layer for the evening.

Combine a village with something nearby

Pair Kakopetria with its painted churches, Lefkara with the lace and silver museum, or Statos-Agios Fotios with Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery. That turns a market stop into a proper day out.

Check the programme before you drive

Each village publishes its own events and workshops schedule, linked from its page on Visit Cyprus. Workshops can need booking, and events change from weekend to weekend.

Book lunch on weekends

Village tavernas fill up on December weekends. Use the InviteM cards above to see what's open near each village, and book ahead where you can.