It’s Easter weekend! As with any public holiday, we would have thought that events would take a pause, yet with the long weekend ahead, organisers have made sure to continue offering fun gatherings to enjoy the season, local tradition and the Easter period.

Before the weekend arrives, Thursday night in Limassol will be all about the world of the Japanese animator and filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The chamber orchestra The Symphonians conclude their Cyprus tour of the performance Music of Miyazaki World at Pattihio Theatre, playing music from the filmmaker’s films as well as screening some of his animations.

The long weekend officially begins on Friday when the Greek Orthodox of the island attend churches to visit the epitaphs and engage in traditional Easter customs. For those wanting to get a better feel of the day’s religious and historical celebrations and meaning, Visit Nicosia organises the Easter Friday Epitaphs Tour/Byzantine Heritage Tour, for free. Three tours are available, first in English at 10.30am until 1pm and two more at 3.30pm in Greek. Reservations can be made on the official Visit Nicosia website.

On Easter Sunday, after the usual family lunch, the Akaki Youth Group O Serrahis organises an Easter afternoon at the village square from 4pm. Traditional games, music, entertainment and more food are on the agenda.

For a non-Easter-related good time, head down to Savino Live on Sunday as local pop rock band Fuse takes the stage for another memorable performance. Doors open at 10pm, though the live show starts an hour later, lasting well into the night.

On Easter Monday, the Liopetri Youth Council organises a traditional feast with the band Panjo Volta, which performs traditional music with influences from the Eastern Mediterranean. Dressed in Cypriot and Greek character, the event kicks off at 1pm at the village square, where eating, drinking and dancing will ensue.

Pelendri village will also put on an Easter Monday fun fair with a charitable cause supporting the social projects of the village. Between 2pm and 6pm, the Pelendri Community Council will host live music, traditional dances, bag and egg races, balloon-popping games, as well as kiosks with food, ceramics and other crafts.

A post-Easter party is scheduled in Nicosia as well as on Monday as Mix FM hosts the Easter Stasikratous Street Party. Right in front of Beauty Line, in the heart of central Nicosia, the street will turn into an outdoor fiesta from 5pm onwards, with street food vendors, ice-cold Aperol Spritz cocktails and DJs sprawling into the street, extending the weekend celebrations. Happy Easter!

Music of Miyazaki World

The world of Japanese animator and filmmaker, Hayao Miyazaki, performed by the chamber orchestra The Symphonians. April 9. Pattihio Theatre, Limassol. 8pm. Suitable for audiences as young as 6. www.soldoutticketbox.com

Easter Friday Epitaphs Tour/Byzantine Heritage Tour

Guided religious tour on Easter traditions. April 9. 10.30am-1pm (in English) and 3.30pm-6pm (in Greek). https://visitnicosia.com.cy/nicosia-guided-tours/

Easter in Akaki

Traditional games, music, entertainment and food. April 12. Village square, Akaki. 4pm

Fuse

Local band performs live. April 12. Savino Live. 11pm. €15. Tel: 99-426011

Traditional Feast

Easter Monday event with live music by Panjo Volta, food and drinks. April 13. Liopetri Square, Ammochostos region. 1pm

Easter in Pelendri

Easter Monday activities in the village. April 13. Pelendri community council, Limassol district. 2pm-6pm

Easter Stasikratous Street Party

Street party with food vendors, cocktail bars, DJ BKAS and Mix FM. April 13. Stasikratous Street, Nicosia. 5pm onwards.