Cyprus Bank and Public Holidays

Below is a list of the Cypriot Bank and Public Holidays, where most Businesses, Schools, Banks and even some Shops close.  Many of these dates are official non-working days, where most people get the day off to enjoy time with their families or just spend quality time on our beautiful island. Please note the variation in dates between the 2013 and 2014 dates listed.

2013   Dates

2014   Dates

Cypriot   Bank & Public Holidays

Description   of Holiday

JANUARY
1 Jan 2013 1 Jan 2014 New Year’s Day The first day of a brand new calendar Year. “Protochronia” as it is   known, celebrated in a big way with Fireworks, parties and greetings of “Kali   Khronia”.Traditional delicious “Vasilopitta” sponge Cake or “Basil’s Pie” is   shared and the person who finds a silver or gold coin hidden in their slice,   is said to have good luck for the year ahead.
6 Jan 2013 6 Jan 2014 Epiphany / “Ta Fota” The baptism of Christ.The festival of Epiphany is   known in Cyprus as “Ta Fota” which means “The Light’. This is a big festival that   celebrates the baptism of Christ and celebrations take place in all the   harbors of Cyprus.The Bishops lead the procession of children and various youth   organizations, lead by the local band. During the service, the Bishop throws   the processional Cross into the Sea, to Bless the waters.During this time, all the locals dive in, to retrieve it. It is said   the one who does, is ensured good luck for the Year.Traditionally everyone spends time at the harbors and enjoy a tray   of “Lokoumades” (Round honey-soaked doughnuts) from the roadside stalls. Meanwhile   some of the older Cypriot folk traditionally wash their fruit and vegetables   in this blessed seawater, to ensure that they have an abundant harvest in Autumn.

MARCH
18 Mar 2013 3 Mar 2014 Green Monday / “Kathara Deftera” Green Monday signifies the beginning of Lent  and traditionally it is considered to mark   the beginning of the Spring Season.Green Monday is also know as Clean Monday (“Kathara Deftera”), Pure   Monday and Ash Monday.This is the first day of the Greek Orthodox Great Lent. It occurs in   the beginning of the 7th week before Easter Sunday.The day is celebrated in Greece and Cyprus by outdoor excursions,   family picnics, barbeques, kite flying  (kite flying competitions), music and   dancing, and includes the consumption of seafood and other non-meat products.
25 Mar 2013 25 Mar 2014 Greek Independence Day Greek Independence day – also know as Greek Revolution day. It is one   of the most significant national holidays in Greece and is both a religious   holiday, celebrating the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, as well as a   national holiday, marking the beginning of the Greek war of independence from   the Ottoman Empire (1821 – 1831). A national military parade traditionally   takes place.

APRIL   & MAY
1 Apr 2013 1 Apr 2014 Greek Cypriot National Day / EOKA Day 1st April 1955 – This day marks the start of the heroic EOKA   rebellion, for Cyprus to obtain independence from Great Britain.(NOTE: April 1st is also know as FOOLS DAY or APRIL FOOLS DAY in many   countries).
1 May 2013 1 May 2014 Labour Day / May Day The day celebrating the struggle economic and social achievements of   workers. Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated across the world.Traditionally, to celebrate spring flower wreathes are hung outside the entrance on doors, to ward off evil. To honour Labour Day a big parade takes place to celebrate the economic and social achievements of the workers.
3 May 2013 18 Apr 2014 Greek Orthodox Good Friday Easter or “Pascha” is   the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar.Good Friday is on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the   crucifixions of Christ. On this day special prayer services are held with   readings from the Gospels of the events leading up to the crucifixion.As everyone in Cyprus prepares for Easter, the Lent Fast is a very   strict one, prohibiting meat, fish and any dairy products, even olive oil in   the final week of the fast in Holy Week. Most local hotels and shops will   hang a sign with the word “Nistisimo” which means fasting, or what particular   food can be eaten during this time, is sold or made there.Early on Good Friday morning, Cypriot housewives make dozens of “flaounes”,   delicious special Easter cheese pies, flavored with either sultanas or   mint and they can also be bought in local bakeries. You will hear “Christos   Anesti” – “Christ is risen” all   around the island.NOTE: Western – Catholic Good Friday (2013 – Mar 29) (2014 – Apr   18)
6 May 2013 21 Apr 2014 Greek Orthodox Easter Monday Easter Monday the day after Easter Sunday. celebrated as a holiday in   most Christian countries.NOTE: Western – Catholic Easter Monday (2013 – Apr 01) (2014 – Apr   21)

JUNE
23 Jun 2013 9 Jun 2014 Pentecost (Kataklysmos) The Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost day. A traditional Cypriot festival,   “Kataklysmos” / “Festival of the Flood” which is celebrated 50 days after the   Orthodox Easter and is marked by the feast of the Pentecost.“Kataklysmos” celebrates  “the   Flood” and the Saviour of mankind and animals, by Noah in the ark. These   celebrations are all focused on the water and take place in all seaside   areas, with the most popular and biggest celebration occurring in Larnaka.A popular tradition and it is also considered to be very lucky, is to   sprinkle each other with sea water. This is symbolic of the purification of   the body and soul. The events last normally for 7 – 10 days and include boat   and swimming competitions, traditional songs , dances and music competitions take   place late into the nights.

AUGUST
15 Aug 2013 15 Aug 2014 Assumption of the Virgin Mary The second most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox   calendar. This is the day of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus.According to Greek Orthodoxy this is the day that Jesus Christ had   taken Mary’s body to heaven after her soul and reunited them, as a foretaste   of the forthcoming general resurrection.

OCTOBER
1 Oct 2013 1 Oct 2014 Cyprus Independence Day 1st October 1960 – Cyprus gains its independence from Great Britain   and becomes a democracy.
28 Oct 2013 28 Oct 2014 Greek National Day (Ochi Day) Celebrated throughout Greece and Cyprus as Ochi Day (No Day), with   parades and traditional dancing. On the 28th of October 1940 when the then   Greek leader Ioannis Metaxas, was presented with an ultimatum by the Italians,   to allow Axis forces to enter Greece or face war. Ioannis Metaxas allegedly   replied with a single word to the ultimatum “OCHI” which is the Greek word   for “NO”.

DECEMBER
25 Dec 2013 25 Dec 2014 Christmas Day Nativity of Jesus Christ. The Christian holiday celebrating the birth   of Jesus Christ, with Church services, Christmas carols, events and parties.This is the second most important festival in the Greek Orthodox   calendar and is not commercialized as it is in other European countries. It   is still celebrated very much as a special family time.
26 Dec 2013 26 Dec 2014 Boxing Day