This week there is one word we have all been hearing non-stop: carnival. So, it comes as no surprise that festivities are happening all around the island. With crowds getting ready to hit Limassol’s annual big Sunday parade, several fiestas are about to dress the country in confetti, Latin music and fun costumes. These are some of the hottest carnival parties happening this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

Friday night parties

Limassol is, of course, leading the line-up of carnival parties this weekend. At the Carob Mills Restaurants, a Greek Retro Carnival party will have party-goers on their feet all night long. Doors open at 10pm with DJ Vasilis Koutonias on the decks blasting Greek carnival tunes while Mr Gloss will perform a live show with drums and percussions.

Also in Limassol, the Carnival Latin Fiesta will have people dancing salsa, bachata and kizomba all night long. DJs D and Chico will spin non-stop Latin rhythms from 9.30pm to 2am, filling Limassol Agora with even more carnival cheer. There is a Best Costume contest also so dress to impress.

Larnaca will have its own carnival festivities on Friday night. Savino Live will host Michalis Kontovourkis and his band for a wild live performance that will have plenty of carnival craze to it. The seven-piece band will perform a set of Kontovourkis/ McCowan originals mixed with much-loved grooves from the catalogue of golden Greek and Anglo-American hits. After the performance, a party will be held with DJ El Pablo Rojo on the decks.

Saturday night parties

One of the biggest events of the weekend is the two-day Limassol Carnival Fiesta at ETKO Limassol. Including music, DJs, arts, theatrical elements and carnival pop-ups, this event is a full-blown party. Both parties on Saturday and Sunday start at 5pm and will have three different stages to explore each day. Ghetto funk, Urban music, 90s and 00s, disco, sets by Mix FM and local DJs will set the mood.

The Carnival Extravaganza Fundraiser Vol. 03 will return this Saturday, organised by RESET, Center for Social Innovation and ACCEPT Cyprus. The party will be a fun carnival happening at Dusty Munky at 9pm with music by DJs Englezos and Veira and all of the proceeds raised from the event will go towards Cyprus Pride 2025.

Nicosia too will celebrate the carnival weekend. Akora All Day is teaming up with Nostalgia Parties for the Nostalgia Carnival Party. This is the latter’s 10th annual carnival event and it will be held indoors from 7pm to midnight with free entrance! Retro, disco, Latin and carnival classics will sound by DJs Claudio and Pueblo Franco while drinks and street food are being prepared.

Sunday night parties

On Sunday, all roads will lead to Limassol as the island prepares to welcome another carnival Sunday parade. In true Limassol style, the fun will continue after hours as well. At 9pm, an outdoor carnival party will take place and the Old Port square, bidding farewell to the Limassol Carnival 2025. DJs LeSkouf, Mitsingkas and Alex M will entertain the crowds while costume contests are on.

Back in Nicosia, Palaia Pineza will host its annual carnival party, with the fun commencing at 6pm. DJs 2Loud and Professor will transform the bar into a frenzy dancefloor infused with even more colourful carnival vibes.

Greek Retro Carnival Party

With DJ Vasilis Koutonias and a percussion show by Mr Gloss. February 28. Carob Mills Restaurants, Limassol. 10pm. €50 open bar. Tel: 96-020280

Carnival Latin Fiesta

Salsa, bachata and kizomba party/ February 28. Limassol Agora, Limassol. 9.30pm-2am. €10 includes one drink. Reservations: 99-081622

Michalis Kontovourkis & Co Carnival Live Carnival Party

Live performance and DJ party. February 28. Savino Live, Larnaca. 10pm. €10. Tel: 99-426011,  96-359381

Limassol Carnival Fiesta

2-day carnival party with a DJ line-up. March 1-2. ETKO Limassol. 5pm onwards. www.ticketmaster.cy

The Carnival Extravaganza Fundraiser Vol. 03

Carnival party raising funds for Cyprus Pride 2025. March 1. Dusty Munky. 9pm. €25 presale. €35 at the door. Tel: 97-679964

Nostalgia Carnival Party

Carnival party with DJs Claudio and Pueblo Franco. March 1. Akora All-day café, Nicosia. 7pm-12am. Free entrance

Annual Carnival Party

With DJs 2Loud and Professor. March 2. Palaia Pineza, Nicosia. 6pm