The Alternative Brains Rule Festival 2025 is coming to the heart of Nicosia this weekend, taking over two iconic venues: the Municipal Gardens and the Municipal Theatre. With a vibrant line-up of music, art, workshops and culinary delights, the festival promises four days of creative exploration.

Get ready for music in the Gardens, electronic music in the theatre, art and workshops, open-air exhibitions, street food and more. Yet the Alternative Brains Rule Festival, AfroBanana’s evolution, is more than just a festival. It’s an open invitation to experience daily life differently, even how we move around the city. As such, the festival has organised bus rides the public can take to reach the town centre that enhance sustainable mobility and safe travel.

For the first ABR Festival, the team is collaborating with the Cyprus Public Transport to offer extended N2 bus services, making it easier for attendees to arrive and depart on Friday and Saturday night.

A route will run towards the University of Cyprus with the last departure leaving at 3.45am from the Mouseiou stop outside the Municipal Theatre. Another route will head towards Makarios Stadium, with the last ride leaving at 4.30am, also from the Mouseiou stop.

The N2 line will operate from the Makarios Stadium to the University of Cyprus, stopping at key points of interest, including Makarios Stadium Bus Station, Cyprus International Fair, Mall of Engomi, University of Nicosia, Leoforos Larnakos and University of Cyprus.

Makarios Stadium, Kratiki Ekthesi and the University of Cyprus stops offer Park & Ride facilities, allowing attendees to park and continue their journey by bus, avoiding congestion in the centre of town. To plan your trip and for the live bus arrival time download the Pame App where you can also buy bus tickets.

What’s more, ABR also teams up with the OPU Collective for a Bike Bus on Saturday. The event invites the public to grab their bikes and join a ride along the Linear Park to reach the festival. The OPU cycling team will guide cyclists from PAEEK to the Municipal Gardens – with stops at Eleonon, Strovolos Municipality, the Red Cross Stavrou crossing, and Anchialou Bridge (Ay. Omologites).

From Kaimakli (Santa Barbara Church), the bike bus will stop at the Dog Park and continue inside the moat along the Venetian Walls towards Eleftheria Square before reaching the festival where all the fun will take place.

Alternative Brains Rule Festival

AfroBanana evolves into a new festival with community events, live music, art installations, street food and more. June 19-22. Nicosia Municipal Gardens and Nicosia Municipal Theatre. www.abrfest.com.  www.more.com