During every carnival season on the island, there is only one place to be – Limassol. Starting this week, carnival decorations, fiestas and events will take over the cultural agenda as locals prepare to celebrate.

And since it wouldn’t be a proper carnival without a good dose of dancing and singing, a series of live music performances are coming up. If you want a true taste of Brazil and Latin carnival rhythms performed by artists who have spent years studying them, these are the music nights not to miss over the next two weeks!

The fun begins this Thursday, Tsiknopempti – an almost holy day for Limassolians. The municipality is preparing a grand night with the arrival of the Carnival King at Grigori Afxenti square at 7pm, accompanied by majorettes, the mayor and a percussion band. This marks the official launch of the Limassol Carnival 2025 and the event will be followed by a live performance by the Batukinio Percussion band where over 50 drummers will play afro-Brazilian samba beats. The municipality has a full day planned for Thursday with more events which can be found on its website.

On the same evening at Kiklos Musiki, a truly spectacular show will take place that will entertain carnival and music lovers further into the night. Local musicians, guest stars and dancers will bring the samba rhythms in full force. The live music will commence at 10pm and will include Latin pop, carnival tunes, and samba percussions, performed by the Carnival Idol Live Band.

The music will continue on Sunday, a week before the big Sunday parade takes place. A Salsa Soiree will take place in Mason Bar’s backyard with eight musicians from Latin America and Cyprus bringing the vibrant carnival spirit to life. The evening will begin at 8.30pm with local musicians playing hot carnival tracks on the saxophone, piano, bass, trumpet and drums.

For more explosive percussion beats and street music, catch the Batukinio Percussion Band at one of its free live performances. First, they will perform on Tsiknopempti around 7pm, then at the Carnival Parade at Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Paphos on Saturday, which will have all sorts of performers, musicians and dancers, starting at 3.30pm and lasting until late.

Next, Batukinio will perform at Limassol municipality’s Podarati festivities on February 27 at 8pm, embarking on a parade through the old town with majorettes and the Carnival King. The carnival festivities will reach another sunny coast as well as Ayia Napa Marina also plans a Carnival Fiesta on March 1. From 2pm to 5pm, the marina will fill with Latin dancers, percussions by Batukinio, acrobatics shows, Brazilian dancing and even more samba live music.

Finally, the festivities will conclude next Sunday, March 2 with the big Carnival Parade in Limassol. Kicking it off will again be Batukinio with a show at around 12pm before the band launches the parade which lasts hours and welcomes floats, dancers and people from all over the island who come join the confetti-infused carnival spirit.

Tsiknopempti Municipality Events

Public event marks the start of the Limassol Carnival. Parade, live music and arrival of the Carnival King. February 20. Grigori Afxenti square, Limassol. 6pm onwards. Free. www.limassol.org.cy

Carnival Pop Latin Party

Live samba carnival music and dancers. February 20. Kiklos Music, Limassol. 10pm. €15. Tel: 99-104552

Carnival Parade

Live music, samba dancers, floats and performers. February 22. Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, Paphos. 3.30pm. Tel: 26-000000

Salsa Soiree

Six musicians perform live carnival music. February 23. Mason Bar, Limassol. 8.30pm. €15. Tel: 99-211280

Ayia Napa Marina Carnival

Brazilian dancers, music, face painting, acrobats and more. March 1. Ayia Napa Marina. 2pm-5pm