Festivals and Celebrations

Festivals and Celebrations:

In Northern Cyprus, numerous festivals are held, both small and large, based on the harvest time of products or various other occasions. Among all the festivals, five festivals with high participation and great interest are held in Northern Cyprus, including the Famagusta Cultural, Art, and Tourism Festival, Theater Festival, Bellapais Classical Music Festival, Güzelyurt Orange Festival, and Olive Festival. The Tliman Ads website aims to provide comprehensive and practical information about various festivals held in the country. Here, we will mention some of them:

Eco Day Fest: This one-day festival takes place in October in the Kyrenia area and karpaz. It includes local dances, local music, and numerous stalls for selling local goods and products. This festival provides an opportunity for visitors to see or learn traditional industries such as cotton weaving and basket making up close. Homemade sweets like pilavuna, cheese, and helim kebab can also be tasted at this festival.

 

Orchid Festival: Wild orchids in Northern Cyprus not only attract enthusiasts of rare and exotic flowers but also scientists and romantic travelers. In total, over 30 species of orchids grow in the territory of Northern Cyprus. This festival takes place from February to November each year in the beautiful mountains and along a flower-filled path in the Lapta region, near the city of Kyrenia. Along parts of this path, there are groups engaged in local dances, and there are exhibitions of local sweets as well.

 

Orange Festival: This event has been organized by the Municipality of Güzelyurt since 1977. The festival is celebrated during the orange harvest season. The Güzelyurt region, known for its large orange and grapefruit orchards, is the main center of production for these fruits, which is why it is also referred to as the "fruit basket" of the island. In spring, a sweet fragrance fills the air of this region, and every year from June to July, the harvest celebration takes place with the Orange Festival (Portakal Festivalı).

 

Strawberry Festival: This festival, which will take place in the city of Lefke for 6 days from April 26th to May 1st, hosts activities such as music groups, children's celebration, swimming marathon, children's strawberry picking competition, local dances, dance performances, nature walks, and visits to strawberry gardens. In this festival, by paying a nominal entrance fee, you can pick as many strawberries as you want and enjoy them. Additionally, you can also purchase other products derived from strawberries, such as strawberry jam and strawberry syrup.

 

 

Silkworm Festival: This festival is organized by the "Green Peace Association," where farmers and craftsmen who produce and process silk products showcase their creations to the public. The festival takes place every year in the vicinity of Bellapais Monastery in the month of May. Participants can not only enjoy the festivities and cultural activities but also purchase silk products and other handicrafts showcased at the festival.

 

Grape Festival: The Grape Festival is a major event in Northern Cyprus that attracts tourists and people from all over the island and Europe. The festival is held in the first week of August in the village of Mehmetçik, where various products made from grapes, one of the best and most famous produce of Northern Cyprus, are showcased. Alongside the festival, competitions such as the Grape King and Queen competition, volleyball matches, children's beauty contests, and local dances are organized.

 

Olive Festival: The Olive Festival is usually held in Northern Cyprus in the first week of October. It's a week full of celebration and joy that draws visitors from all over the island to the Karpaz region (Zeytinlik Village) and transforms it into an entertainment hub. During this festival, locals demonstrate their skills in preparing delicious dishes with olive oil and showcase their products and handicrafts, including pottery, handmade baskets, and more, for the public. Sometimes, olive factories also open their doors to visitors interested in witnessing the olive oil production process.

 

Apricot Festival: This festival has been held in Northern Cyprus since 2008. It takes place from late May to early June, coinciding with the local apricot harvest, in the foothills of Esentepe. This village offers breathtaking views of mountains and the sea, along with some excellent local taverns and cafes.

 

Trickle and Treat Festival: This festival coincides with the harvest of carob trees. Carob, once known as the "black gold" in Cyprus, is a plant with numerous medicinal properties and used to be a major export commodity to Europe. The festival is held annually in September in the city of Lefke.

 

Famagusta International Music Festival: The North Cyprus International Music Festival starts annually on May 21st and ends on June 23rd. Music performances take place at Bellapais Abbey, Salamis Ancient Theater, and Kyrenia Castle. Various programs such as symphonies, rock concerts, choir performances, orchestras, flamenco tangos, and recitals are featured during the festival.

 

Famagusta Culture and Art Festival: This festival, organized by the Municipality of Iskele, takes place in June and hosts internationally renowned artists in pop, jazz, and classical music. This culturally, artistically, and tourism-oriented festival features concerts by famous artists in the historical sites of the Famagusta region. It attracts a lot of attention and is open to the public free of charge. In the past, the festival has hosted names such as Bülent Ortaçgil, Berlin Art Group, Los Paraguayos, and Aswad.

 

Color Festival: This vibrant and exciting festival is held every year in May at EMU (Eastern Mediterranean University) in Famagusta and also in Girne. As you may know, the Color Festival originated from India and has spread worldwide. In Northern Cyprus, enthusiastic and joyful students have launched this beautiful festival in the country, which continues until late at night.

 

 

Beer Festival: This festival takes place in May at the distillery gardens, and it offers an extraordinary night experience. During this festival, you can observe the stages of beer production up close and taste various types of beer. The festival is particularly remarkable for beer enthusiasts and tourists who visit this beautiful island of Northern Cyprus to explore its attractions.

 

 

Marathon Run Festival: The Famagusta Marathon Festival includes categories such as a half marathon (21 kilometers), a city race (10 kilometers), a speed race (6 kilometers), a leisure run for children (1 kilometer), and a public walking event (3 kilometers). It is held in May in the city of Famagusta. In addition, the festival features food and beverage stalls, promotion of local crafts and Cypriot cuisine, playgrounds for children, advertisements for sports equipment and sportswear, promotion of sports technologies and environmental initiatives. Throughout the day, various DJs play music for festival participants.

 

 

 

Motorcycle Festival: This exciting festival is held annually in May in the city of Famagusta. People from all cities in Northern Cyprus gather in a specific location to showcase their motorcycles. The variety of motorcycles on display, accompanied by DJ music with thrilling tunes, adds to the allure of this festival. Each year, various other activities are organized during this festival, such as beer drinking competitions and eating spicy foods, which further enhance its appeal

 

 

                                 

 

Atatürk Commemoration Festival: The Atatürk Commemoration Day and Youth and Sports Day are celebrated with a ceremony in Northern Cyprus. This ceremony takes place from May 16th to May 19th at the Atatürk Memorial Site in Nicosia and simultaneously in different neighborhoods of all cities in Northern Cyprus. As part of these ceremonies and activities held during these days, students will have the opportunity to meet national and governmental authorities. In addition, the festivities begin with dance performances, sports, cultural, social, and environmental activities, accompanied by the lighting of a torch.

 

Strawberry Festival: This festival starts every year on April 10th from the main square of Mormenekşe located in the Yeniboğaziçi region. In this festival, numerous booths are set up where people from Northern Cyprus sell their products, such as handicrafts and special North Cypriot sweets and pastries. Local dances are also part of the program of this festival.

 

Northern Cyprus International Theater Festival: This festival is suitable for theater enthusiasts as various theater groups, including Istanbul Theater Group, Izmir Theater Group, Dostlar Theater Group, and Antilogos Theater Group, participate in this festival. The festival takes place annually in September in Nicosia. The opening ceremony of this festival is held in one of the large hotels in Northern Cyprus.

 

 

Walnut Festival: This festival was launched in 2010, where villagers showcase the best and delicious sweet walnuts, known as "Ceviz Macunu," in glass containers. The festival generally includes concerts, local dances, exhibitions, and guided tours held in the center of Lefke city. The historic village of Lefke is located near Guzelyurt city and is a rich place in North Cypriot traditions and culture.

 

Iskele Folk Dance Festival: The Iskele Folk Dance Festival usually starts at the end of June and lasts for about a week. In this program, the evening dance performances of Iskele folk dance groups, consisting of more than 300 members, are showcased, aiming to preserve the folkloric traditions and traditional dances of Northern Cyprus. Northern Cypriot dances have a close connection to the beautiful dances of Turkey.