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History and Traditions: Christmas Day in Cyprus is deeply rooted in the island's strong Greek Orthodox Christian faith. Celebrated on December 25th, it marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is a time of joyous festivities. The season leading up to Christmas is known as 'Advent' and involves fasting and preparation.
One of the most cherished traditions is the 'Kalanda', which are carols sung by children who go door to door on Christmas Eve. They play musical instruments like triangles, guitars, accordions, and drums, spreading joy through their songs.
Another tradition is the decoration of ships instead of or alongside Christmas trees, a nod to Cyprus’s maritime history. Homes are also decorated with lights and other festive adornments.
Christmas Day Celebrations: On Christmas Day itself, people attend church services in the morning. Afterward, they gather with family for a sumptuous feast that includes special dishes such as 'koupepia' (stuffed grape leaves), 'loounza' (smoked pork loin), and ‘souvla’ (barbecued meat), along with various sweets like 'melomakarona' (honey cookies) and 'kourabiedes' (almond shortbread cookies).
Gift-giving is not as prominent as in other countries but still features among close family members, particularly for children. The day is one of merriment and warmth, where families spend time together enjoying food, attending church services, visiting friends, and sharing in the festive spirit that pervades across Cyprus during this time.
The holiday season continues up to January 6th - Epiphany day - which marks the end of the festive period with various traditional events and ceremonies celebrating the baptism of Christ.
