What’s on this weekend

The first weekend of 2024 is almost here. And although the post-Christmas calendar is a little calmer, it is still the holiday season and this weekend has plenty of fun choices for families and friends to enjoy.

In Avgorou village, Cyherbia Botanical Park will host the Epiphany Festival celebrating Epiphany Day on January 6. On Saturday and Sunday, the park will host games and activities in nature to participate in. Roaming through its grounds, visitors will be able to engage in interactive games ranging from scavenger hunts to challenges, greeted by elves, the Grinch and the Winter Fairy. Meanwhile, the Woodland, Maze, Herb Garden and Botanicus Bistro will be open to enjoy and discover many of the island’s herbs. A fun outdoorsy weekend awaits at CyHerbia, which will host the festival from 9am to 5pm on both days.

This weekend’s agenda also includes the West End & Beyond in Concert event which will bring stars from the international music scene to the local stage. The TrakArt Pops Limassol Orchestra collaborates with performers from the West End and Broadway to present a special show featuring the best songs of musical theatre. The concerts will take place in Limassol, at the Pattihio Municipal Theatre this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with songs from Wicked, Frozen, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and many more.

Saturday night in Larnaca will be a rockin’ affair as Savino Live presents the heavy rock band from Greece, Planet of Zeus. The Athens-based band will return to Larnaca this weekend for a dynamic show to kick-start the year’s performances. Before they take the stage to meet again with faithful fans, the German band Birds View will open the evening’s floor and hype up audiences with their rock ’n’roll and stoner sound.

Also happening this weekend are two concerts by Miltos Paschalides. Following successful performances in Athens with Giannis Kotsiras and just before he celebrates 30 years in the music industry, the Greek musician presents songs from his lengthy music career in Cyprus. On Thursday night he will take the stage of Rialto Theatre to entertain Limassol fans before heading to Nicosia’s Strovolos Municipal Theatre on Friday. On both occasions, Paschalides will perform his most well-known songs and beloved music which range from rock sounds to traditional melodies.

Epiphany Festival

Games, activities and fun in nature. January 6-7. Cyherbia Botanical Park, Avgorou. 9am-5pm. www.cyherbia.com

West End & Beyond in Concert

Concert with leading performers from the West End and Broadway and the TrakArt Pops Orchestra. January 5-6. Pattihio Municipal Theatre, Limassol. January 5 at 8.30pm. January 6-7. 4.30pm and 8.30pm. Tel: 25-377277. www.ticketmaster.cy

Planet of Zeus

Heavy rock band from Greece performs live. January 6. Savino Live, Larnaca. Doors open at 10pm. €25. Tel: 99-426011

Miltos Paschalides

Concert with Greek musician. January 4. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. January 5. Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. 8.30pm. www.soldoutticketbox.com