“No other town can quite compete with Limassol where the carnival is concerned. Attempts to compete with Limassol have all resulted in resounding failures, and so the carnival has become our very own prerogative, and that is why people from all over Cyprus gather in our town to celebrate the cheerful days of the carnival.” Georgios Taliadoros Templar, a journalist and carnival chronicler.
Limassol Carnival is the oldest and most popular folk festivity in Limassol but also across Cyprus. Throughout the centuries the tradition of the Apokries – the Carnival festive season – was celebrated across the island, but the festivities local to Limassol grew in scope so much that in time they became an integral part of the town’s identity and culture.
CARNIVAL PROGRAMME 2020 | 20/2 – 1/3/2020
Monday 17 February 2020
7.30p.m. Serenading through the narrow streets of Ayia Triada
Starting point: Municipal University Library
Just like the old days…. Take a walk down the narrow streets of Ayia Triada with serenades and nostalgic songs by the Georgalletos Serenades.
Wednesday 19 February 2020
7.00p.m. Theomaria Art Gallery (7, Vasilissis Karlottas & Elenis Paleologinas str.)
The Theomaria Art Gallery hosts for the 14th consecutive year an international carnival and ceramic mask exhibition and a ceramic mask exhibition by Vera Efthimiou Parlalidou. The exhibition will be held from 28 February until 31 March. With the participation of the “Limassol Serenades”.
8.00p.m. Art Studio 55 (23 Α, Andreas Drousiotis str., Heroes’ Square)
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the Pancyprian Association “ART WITHOUT BORDERS” organize an exhibition on Carnival. With the participation of the Morphou Municipality Cultural Club.
The Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Nicos Nicolaides will inaugurate the exhibition.
Thursday 20 February 2020
11.00a.m. Carnival fiestas in front of the Hellenic Banc (Gladstonos str., former Cyprus Cooperative Bank) and the Bank of Cyprus (Ayiou Andreou str.).
12.30p.m. The “Limassol Serenades” will be singing at Saripolou Square.
5.00p.m. Grigoris Afxentiou Square
The Grigoris Agxentiou square (in front of the District Office) comes alive and lures us into the Carnival rhythms.
5.30p.m. And the beat goes on with the “Latin Smile Salsa” band and the Batukinio percussion instruments group.
5.45p.m. Town Hall
The Limassol Municipality and the Limassol Union of Self-Educated Painters co-organize an exhibition entitled “Carnival 2020”. With the participation of the Kato Polemidia Municipal Choir and Children’s Choir.
6.15p.m. Town Hall
The Mayor and the Municipal Council, accompanied by the Limassol Municipality Brass Band, the Limassol Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association and the Limassol Majorettes will parade through the streets up to the Grigoris Afxentiou square.
7.00p.m. “King Lemesios, the Maharaja of the city” will open this year’s festivities accompanied by his entourage. The King of Carnival will be surrounded by the Mayor and the members of the Municipal Council, the Royal Family, the Georgalletos Serenades, the Ariones Choir, the Limassol Municipality Brass Band, the Limassol Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association, the Batukinio percussion instruments group and the Limassol Majorettes.
The parade will set off from Grigoris Afxentiou square (in front of the District Office Building) and will pass through the following streets: Anexartisias, Ayiou Andreou, Karaiskaki (Municipal University Library), Stasinou and Andrea Drousioti. It will terminate at the Heroes’ square, where a party will take place to the sounds of the music group ”The Carnaband”.
Friday 21 February 2020
7.00p.m. Medieval Castle Square
The Moderni Keri Choir, the “Limassol Serenades”, the Ariones Choir, the EDON Serenades, the Choir of the Cultural Association of EAC Employees and the male vocal ensemble “Ilandron” will be singing at the Medieval Castle square.
Route: Irinis street (in front of the Monderni Keri Cultural Group) – Medieval Castle square
The Machallekides School of Dance will be dancing waltz.
Saturday 22 February 2020
10.30a.m. Hellenic Bank (former Cyprus Cooperative Bank, Gladstonos str.)
The Municipality’s children’s train will be touring around the city. The first tour will take place at 10.30a.m. Other tours will follow on a first-come first-served basis.
11.00a.m. – 2.00p.m. Grigoris Afxentiou Square (District Office Building)
The Limassol Municipality and the radio station Choice FM 104.3 co-organize a Treasure Hunt for the 12th consecutive year (for more information please call 25820820/ participations: www.choicefm.com.cy).
3.00p.m. The Limassol Cycling Club will cycle in a carnival mood around the city.
Starting and Ending Point: Medieval Castle Square.
6.00p.m. Serenades’ Event at the Municipal University Library (Ayiou Andreou str.)
The “Limassol Serenades” and the Limassol Municipality co-organize an event with serenades and carnival songs with the participation of the EDON Serenades, the Moderni Keri Choir, the Ariones Choir, the Limassol Serenades and the male vocal ensemble “Ilandron.
Free drinks will be offered.
8.00p.m. Panos Solomonides Municipal Cultural Centre
The Limassol Municipality and Studio 8 School of Art & Design invite everyone to attend the event “Revival of old Limassol Carnival floats” held in loving memory of the late artist Costas Mavrogenis.
With the participation of the Limassol’s Tetrafonia (Four Voice Men’s Choir) conducted by the maestro Panikkos Trimikliniotis.
The former Mayor of Limassol, Demetris Kontides will be honoured.
The event will be hosted by Dr. Mimis Sofokleous and the journalist Stella Savva.
Sunday 23 February 2020
11.30a.m. Children’s Carnival Parade
Starting Point: Sea front road, Municipal Garden traffic lights
Ending: 2nd sea front parking lot – next to “Red” cafe
The parade will be preceded by the King of Carnival and his impressive float accompanied by the Limassol Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association and followed by the Limassol Majorettes.
12.30p.m. Children and carnival songs at the Old Port Square.
6.30p.m. Serenades’ Event in front of the Perama Music Stage
Songs by the Georgalletos Serenades. The event is dedicated to the memory of the founder of the group.
Monday 24 February 2020
7.00p.m. Panos Solomonides Municipal Cultural Centre
The Limassol Municipality and the Cyprus Photographic Society – Limassol Branch, co-organize a photographic exhibition on “Limassol Carnival 2019”.
A different exhibition of carnival costumes dedicated to the late Lula Siousmith will be presented, as well as a cartoon exhibition with the contribution of the Cyprus Cartoonists Association “GEL. A” and the Cartoon and Sketch Workshop of “ΠΙΝ”.
With the participation of the Ariones Choir and the Limassol Majorettes.
The Mayor Mr. Nicos Nicolaides will inaugurate the exhibitions.
Opening hours:
25/02/2020 Tuesday, 8.00a.m. – 2.00p.m. & 4.00 – 7.00 p.m.
26/02/2020 Wednesday, 8.00a.m. – 2:00p.m.
27/02/2020 Thursday, 8.00a.m. – 2:00p.m.
Monday 24 February 2020
Serenades at the Limassol neighborhoods and quarters
7.30p.m. The Georgalletos Serenades will be singing at Ayia Fyla.
7.30p.m. The Monterni Keroi will be singing at AMEK Kapsalou.
Tuesday 25 February 2020
Serenades at the Limassol neighborhoods and quarters
7.30p.m. The Cypriot Serenades will be singing at Zakaki.
7.30p.m. The Edon Serenades will be singing at Ayios Nicolaos.
8.00p.m. Evening “Pellomaska” Parade
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the “Lemesos” newspaper are inviting you to join the evening “Pellomaska” Parade (crazy costume parade). The parade will be preceded by the King of Carnival, the Royal Family and the Limassol Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association.
Starting Point: Municipal University Library (Ayiou Andreou str.)
Ending Point: Medieval Castle Square
8.30p.m. Tuesday’s Carnival Fiesta at the Medieval Castle Square
People of all ages are invited by the Limassol Municipality to attend the event disguised and participate in a great carnival spree with music and dancing.
Free-style Carnival Costume Competition – Awards will be given to the best three participants.
Wednesday 26 February 2020
7.30p.m. Limassol’s Tetrafonia
Panos Solomonides Municipal Cultural Centre
Carnival songs and serenades by the Limassol’s Tetrafonia (Four Voice Men’s Choir).
Thursday 27 February 2020
7.30p.m. Evening Carnival Parade
Starting Point: Grigoris Afxentiou Square (District Office Building).
Ending Point: Medieval Castle Square
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the association “Friends of Limassol Carnival” co-organize an Evening Carnival Parade with the participation of the Batukinio percussion instruments group and the Limassol Majorettes.
The King Carnival and his entourage will precede the parade.
8.30 p.m. Carnival Ball, Medieval Castle Square.
Join us for an unforgettable carnival ball with 10 great musicians, the maestro Constantinos Zorpas and the singers George Kalopedis and Christina Pavlou. They will be accompanied by Maria Kilaidonis and Doros Demosthenous to pay tribute to Loukianos Kilaidonis.
Free-style Carnival Costume Competition – Awards will be given to the best three participants.
Friday 28 February 2020
7.30p.m. Children’s Choirs – Pattihio Municipal Theatre
Evening of serenades and carnival songs by the children’s choirs of “Melodies kai Chromata” and Dreams’ Choir, the Papadakion Municipal School of Music, the Music Workshop, Children’s Choir and Piccolo of Epilogi, the Armonia Choir and the Music Horizons School – Ayia Fyla branch.
Entrance: €5
With the participation of the young Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association
8:30p.m. CUT Square
“THE BIG STREET PARTY – CARNIVAL EDITION Vol.6”
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with Choice FM, ΚΛΙΚ FM and GREEK CHOICE FM organize for the 6th consecutive year the BIG STREET PARTY – Carnival Edition.
Saturday 29 February 2020
10.30a.m. Hellenic Bank (former Cyprus Cooperative Bank, Gladstonos str.)
The Municipality’s children’s train will be touring around the city. The first tour will take place at 10.30a.m. Other tours will follow on a first-come first-served basis.
A crazy mask workshop will be held with last year’s Queen of Carnival, Monika Pieridou.
12.00p.m. The Georgalletos Serenades at Limassol Agora.
3.00 p.m. The Limassol Classic Cars Club will drive around the city in a carnival mood.
Starting point: Enaerios Parking Place.
Ending point: Grigoris Afxentiou Square
6.30p.m. Serenades’ Parade
Groups of Serenades will gather at 6.00 p.m. in front of the Town Hall. At 6.30 p.m. they will parade towards the Grigoris Afxentiou square (in front of the District Office Building).
From 5.00p.m. onwards the Georgia Protopapa Vocal Ensemble and “Mousikes Periplanisis” choir will be singing at Grigoris Afxentiou Square.
The Limassol Municipality invites you to sing and dance along with the Serenades and a glass of wine.
Sunday 1 March 2020
Grand Carnival Parade
Archbishop Makarios III Avenue
Starting Point: Ayios Nikolaos Round About
Ending Point: Polemidia Traffic Lights (Fairways)
1.00 p.m. The parade will be preceded by the Limassol Municipality Brass Band, the Limassol Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association, the Batukinio percussion instruments group and the Limassol Majorettes.
1.15p.m. The Parade will be led by “King Lemesios, the Maharaja of the city”, accompanied by a sea of floats and pedestrians.
During the parade, former carnivalists will be honored by the Limassol Municipality for their contribution to the Limassol Carnival.
9.00 p.m. Farewell Carnival Fiesta – Old Port Square
We wave goodbye to the Carnival by throwing a Carnival Party at Old Port Square.
Free style Carnival Costume Competition – Awards will be given to the best three participants.
The program is subject to unexpected changes.
For information: Limassol Municipality Cultural Services
Tel. 25 745919
PARKING AREAS
Thursday 20/02/2020, private parking lots in the city center and municipal parking lots on the seafront, Spyrou Araouzou and Agkyras streets.
Children’s Carnival Parade 23/02/2020 & Grand Carnival Parade 01/03/2020, free parking at CTU parking lots, the parking lot opposite Panos Solomonides Cultural Centre and other municipal parking lots.