Limassol Carnival 2020

The 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.

The events this year will begin on Thursday, 20th of February, and will culminate with the grand carnival parade on Sunday, 1st of March.

Detailed programme

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 Serenaders.

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 Serenaders”.

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” organise 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 Serenaders” 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-organise 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 Serenaders, 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 Serenaders”, the Ariones Choir, the EDON Serenaders, 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. Serenaders’ Event at the Municipal University Library (Ayiou Andreou str.)

The “Limassol Serenaders” and the Limassol Municipality co-organize an event with serenades and carnival songs with the participation of the EDON Serenaders, the Moderni Keri Choir, the Ariones Choir, the Limassol Serenaders 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. Serenaders’ Event in front of the Perama Music Stage

Songs by the Georgalletos Serenaders. 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-organise 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

Serenaders at the Limassol neighbourhoods and quarters

7.30p.m. The Georgalletos Serenaders will be singing at Ayia Fyla.

7.30p.m. The Monterni Keroi will be singing at AMEK Kapsalou.

Tuesday
25 February

Serenaders at the Limassol neighbourhoods and quarters

7.30p.m. The Cypriot Serenaders will be singing at Zakaki.

7.30p.m. The Edon Serenaders 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 organise 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 Serenaders 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. Serenaders’ Parade

Groups of Serenaders 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 Serenaders and a glass of wine.

Sunday
1 March

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 honoured 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 programme 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 centre 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.