Cyprus Bank Holidays 2026 – Your Perfect excuse to Visit the Island
Planning a trip to Cyprus in 2026? Timing your visit around bank and public holidays is one of the smartest ways to experience the island at its most vibrant. From Easter processions and flower‑filled village squares to summer beach festivals and Christmas lights, Cyprus’ holidays are packed with local color – and great excuses to take some extra time off.
All dates below follow the Republic of Cyprus national holiday calendar for 2026.
| Holiday | 2026 Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January 2026 | Thursday |
| Epiphany (Theophany) | Tuesday 6 January 2026 | Tuesday |
| Green Monday (Start of Lent) | Monday 23 February 2026 | Monday |
| Greek Independence Day | Wednesday 25 March 2026 | Wednesday |
| Cyprus National Day (EOKA Day) | Wednesday 1 April 2026 | Wednesday |
| Good Friday (Orthodox) | Friday 10 April 2026 | Friday |
| Easter Monday (Orthodox) | Monday 13 April 2026 | Monday |
| Labour Day | Friday 1 May 2026 | Friday |
| Kataklysmos – Flood Festival (Pentecost Monday) | Monday 1 June 2026 | Monday |
| Dormition of the Virgin Mary | Saturday 15 August 2026 | Saturday |
| Cyprus Independence Day | Thursday 1 October 2026 | Thursday |
| Ohi Day | Wednesday 28 October 2026 | Wednesday |
| Christmas Day | Friday 25 December 2026 | Friday |
| Boxing Day (Synaxis of the Mother of God) | Saturday 26 December 2026 | Saturday |
January: New Year’s & Epiphany – Winter Sun in Cyprus
New Year’s Day – 1 January 2026 (Thursday)
New Year in Cyprus combines Mediterranean sunshine with cosy family traditions. Cafés reopen quickly after midnight celebrations, and coastal towns like Limassol, Larnaca and Paphos are pleasantly quiet but far from sleepy.
Epiphany (Theophany) – 6 January 2026 (Tuesday)
Epiphany is one of the most atmospheric religious festivals in Cyprus. In coastal towns, priests bless the sea and brave swimmers dive in to retrieve a cross.
This is a fantastic time for photographers and travelers who enjoy authentic local culture without peak‑season crowds.
February: Green Monday – The Most Colorful Start to Lent
Green Monday – 23 February 2026 (Monday)
Green Monday marks the beginning of Lent and is a public holiday in Cyprus. Locals traditionally spend the day outdoors, picnicking and flying kites.
For travelers, Green Monday delivers warmth, color and a very local experience at the tail end of winter.
March: Greek Independence Day – Flags & Parades
Greek Independence Day – 25 March 2026 (Wednesday)
While not unique to Cyprus, Greek Independence Day is a public and bank holiday on the island. Schools and organizations hold parades, and you’ll see blue‑and‑white flags everywhere.
April: Cyprus National Day & Orthodox Easter – Deep Tradition
Cyprus National Day – 1 April 2026 (Wednesday)
This day commemorates the start of the Cyprus struggle in 1955. Expect official ceremonies and school events, especially in Nicosia.
Traveller tips
- Museums and public offices may be closed, but cafés, restaurants and many shops stay open in tourist areas.
- Combine history tours in Nicosia with a relaxed evening in the old town’s tavernas.
Orthodox Good Friday – 10 April 2026 (Friday)
Orthodox Easter Monday – 13 April 2026 (Monday)
Easter is the biggest religious celebration in Cyprus and one of the most rewarding times to visit.
What to experience
- Evening processions with lantern‑lit icons and incense in villages and city neighborhoods.
- Midnight church services on Easter Saturday leading into Easter Sunday feasts.
- Traditional foods like flaounes (cheese‑filled pastries) and grilled lamb.
Easter in Cyprus blends spirituality, food and family warmth. Book early – this is a prime period for Cyprus Easter holidays.
May: Labour Day – Long‑Weekend by the Sea
Labour Day – 1 May 2026 (Friday)
Labor Day is a public holiday and unofficial launch of the summer season in Cyprus.
How to enjoy 1 May
- Secure a long weekend beach escape in Paphos.
- Join locals enjoying the first real swims of the year and early‑season beach bars.
- Visit mountain villages where spring flowers are still in full bloom.
The combination of warm weather and a festive mood makes early May a great time to visit before peak summer prices.
June: Kataklysmos – The Cyprus Flood Festival
Kataklysmos (Pentecost Monday) – 1 June 2026 (Monday)
Kataklysmos – literally “The Flood” – is one of Cyprus’ most unique public holidays. Celebrated mainly along the coast, it blends religious observances with water‑themed fun.
Best places for Kataklysmos
- Larnaca has the biggest festival, with markets, music, dancing and boat rides.
- Paphos also hosts seafront events and fireworks.
If you’re looking for a lively beach holiday in Cyprus with strong local flavor, this is your weekend.
August: Dormition of the Virgin Mary – Mountain Escape
Dormition of the Virgin Mary – 15 August 2026 (Saturday)
August 15 is a major religious feast and a central point of the Cypriot summer. Many locals head to the cooler mountains or to their home villages.
Travel suggestions
- Cypriots will stay in a traditional stone house in the Troodos region and visit local churches and monasteries.
- Pair church festivals with wine‑tasting in nearby villages.
- Expect some businesses in cities to close, but resorts remain buzzing.
If you love hot summer days, August in Cyprus gives you both busy beaches and peaceful, pine‑scented mountain retreats.
October: Independence Day & Ohi Day – Autumn Sunshine
Cyprus Independence Day – 1 October 2026 (Thursday)
This holiday celebrates the island’s independence in 1960. There are military and school parades, mainly in Nicosia.
Why early October is ideal
- Sea temperatures are still warm, but the worst of the heat has passed.
- Great time for walking, cycling and cultural sightseeing without summer crowds.
Ohi Day – 28 October 2026 (Wednesday)
Ohi Day (“No Day”) commemorates Greece’s refusal to Italian demands in 1940 and is also a public holiday in Cyprus.
As a visitor
- Expect more parades and patriotic events, but an otherwise relaxed atmosphere.
- Combine it with a late‑October beach holiday – particularly in Paphos, where many hotels run attractive shoulder‑season deals.
December: Christmas & Boxing Day – Festive Cyprus Getaway
Christmas Day – 25 December 2026 (Friday)
Boxing Day – 26 December 2026 (Saturday)
December in Cyprus is cooler, but still milder than most of Europe, making it ideal for a low‑key festive escape.
What to enjoy
- Christmas markets, decorated town squares and café culture in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos.
- Day trips to the Troodos Mountains, where you might even catch snow on the peaks.
- Traditional sweets like melomakarona and kourabiedes, best enjoyed with strong Cypriot coffee.
A Christmas holiday in Cyprus is perfect if you want some seasonal charm without deep winter temperatures.
Planning Your 2026 Trip Around Cyprus Bank Holidays
To make the most of these 2026 bank and public holidays in Cyprus:
- Book popular periods early – especially Orthodox Easter, Kataklysmos, mid‑August and Christmas.
- Check opening hours for museums, banks and public offices on the exact holiday dates listed above.
- Combine public holidays with weekends to build longer stays – ideal for exploring both the coast and the mountains.
- Rent a car if you want to hop between beach towns, archaeological sites and mountain villages during festive periods.
Make 2026 the Year You Experience Cyprus Like a Local
Whether you’re dreaming of joining Easter candlelit processions, dancing on the seafront at Kataklysmos or sipping wine in a village square on an autumn public holiday, Cyprus in 2026 offers countless reasons to travel.
Use this 2026 Cyprus bank and public holiday calendar to time your trip, then start planning the moments that will make you want to return again and again.
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