Christmas in Cyprus

If you’re thinking of spending Christmas in Cyprus, you may be wondering what it’s like and whether it has any special Christmas traditions. A 21st century Cypriot Christmas is full of wonderful things, many of them familiar to non-Cypriots, such as turkey, Santa Claus and special sweet treats and cake, although Cypriots have their own unique take on them.

Christmas in Cyprus begins on 6th December, the feast of St. Nicholas, and lasts until Epiphany on 6th January. On Christmas Eve, beautiful old Cypriot carols, called ‘kalanda’ are sung by children and some rather strange Christmas elves, known as the Kalikatzaroi make mischief during the 12 days of Christmas. This is an old Greek tradition and some Cypriots keep a fire burning day and night to ward off these demons while others sprinkle holy water around their homes.

The main big difference between the Christmas you may be used to and a Cypriot Christmas is that Santa Claus – who is called Ayios Vasilis in Greek – brings his presents on New Year’s Eve rather than Christmas Eve. For those who love eating there is Santa Claus cake – called Vasilopitta, which is cut on the first day of the New Year – and Greek and Cypriot cookies, called melomakarona and kourabiedes. If you’re lucky enough to be in Cyprus at Christmas time, make sure you try some!

From all of us at Cyprus Property World, here’s wishing you all Kala Khristougenna kai Eutukhismeno to Neo Etos (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)!