It is perhaps one of the biggest festivals of the Famagusta region, celebrated since 2006 with a wide range of vibrant events, performances and activities centred around the medieval ages. Musicians, marching bands, masquerade stilt walkers and performers dressed in lush velvety costumes flood Ayia Napa’s town centre for the annual Ayia Napa Medieval Festival. From Saturday until the following Saturday, it returns for its 16th edition having gained international recognition and a dedicated following within the island.

This year’s celebration promises to bring the same thrill and entertainment as previous editions. The activities of the Ayia Napa Medieval Festival are inspired by the Medieval period, of course, representing the everyday life and events of those times including street theatre, fire dances and theatrical plays with the Medieval Monastery as a backdrop. There are concerts and dance shows by European groups, a Crusaders street event with schools and teams in medieval costumes, a medieval market, exhibitions and medieval workshops. Returning after its absence in 2020, its organisers, the Municipality of Ayia Napa, are ready to bring back an exciting week.

72966237 2303711979751578 4361856648516468736 n

Every night from 7.30pm at the town square stage, Medieval times will be brought to life through various performances of song, music and tales. The main event of the opening day, and perhaps the most exciting, is the parade along Makarios Avenue which sets off from the harbour. Percussion bands, street theatre groups, dance groups, stilt walkers, dragons, fire shows, even pirates and fairies march along celebrating the start of the festival. It’s a sight not to be missed.

Each evening holds several spectacles that enchant old and young. This year a street theatre group from The Netherlands, a medieval Ukrainian band, a Russian theatre company, a Czech band and a masked band from Venice will join the festivities.

Besides the loud and colourful performances, nine exhibitions will also be held as part of the festival each one showcasing different customs, traditions and arts of the medieval ages. Dolls, jewellery, masks, rope-making, traditional blacksmithing and ceramic art will offer a glimpse into the era. Eight days, more than a dozen performances by musicians, acrobats and actors, and plenty of activities for all await at the 16th Ayia Napa Medieval Festival. Find the full programme on Ayia Napa’s Municipality Facebook page.

Ayia Napa Medieval Festival

16th edition of annual festival with parades, performances and exhibitions. October 9-16. Ayia Napa. Organised by the Ayia Napa Municipality. Tel: 23-816300