North Cyprus Events & Festivals

North Cyprus is a land of living traditions, vibrant community life, and seasonal celebrations. From music and art to food, folklore, and nature, each month brings its own unique flavor — whether you’re watching traditional dances in a mountain village or attending international music festivals by the sea.

Here’s a month-by-month guide to the most notable events and festivals in North Cyprus:

November

  • Lefke International Art Festival – Artists gather in the citrus-rich town of Lefke.
  • Güzelyurt Theatre Days – A celebration of performing arts in Güzelyurt.
  • 15th November – TRNC Republic Day – A national celebration with parades, concerts, and fireworks.
  • Lefke Date Festival – A sweet autumn harvest celebration.
  • Wedding and Wedding Planning Day (24–27 November) – Showcasing the island’s wedding industry.
  • METU Students Societies End of Semester Festivity – A student-led cultural event.

December

  • EMU With Songs – A seasonal concert by Eastern Mediterranean University.
  • ICU “Hello to the New Year” Festivities – Student-centered New Year events.
  • GAU Traditional New Year Celebrations – Celebrations at Girne American University.

January

  • Wedding and Organisations Fair (6th January) – Inspiration and ideas for weddings and events.

February

  • Hotel, Restaurant, Café & Gastronomy Fair – A culinary trade event for hospitality and food enthusiasts.

March

  • EMU International Underwater Photography and Film Festival – A niche but fascinating event.
  • Tepebaşı & Avtepe Tulip Festivals – Celebrate the blooming of wild tulips in mountain villages.
  • Yiğitler Global Artichoke Festival – Showcasing a key Cypriot ingredient.
  • Geçitkale Traditional 9th March Celebrations
  • METU Tree Planting Festival
  • ICU Libraries Week – Celebrating reading and research.
  • HASDER Children and Stories Festival
  • İskele Municipality Culture & Art Festival

April

  • Nicosia Music Days – A multi-genre music celebration.
  • International Photography Days
  • Spring Music Festival at Bellapais (April–May) – Classical concerts in a stunning Gothic setting.
  • Mormenekşe Artichoke Festival
  • 23 April – National Sovereignty and Children’s Day
  • GAU Tourism Week Activities
  • Güzelyurt GUSAD Festival
  • Değirmenlik Traditional Children’s Festival
  • UNIFEX Consumer Fair

May

  • GUSAD Güzelyurt Culture & Art Festival
  • International Bellapais Music Festival
  • 1 May – Labourers & Spring Day
  • 19 May – Atatürk Memorial, Youth and Sports Day
  • Famagusta Children’s Festival
  • LAU Spring Festivities
  • GAU Traditional Spring Day
  • METU Spring Festivity
  • EMU Sand Sculpture Festival
  • EMU Spring Festival

June

  • Yıldırım Watermelon Festival
  • Folk Dances & Children Festival
  • TURKSOY Opera Days
  • İskele Folk Dance Festival
  • Güzelyurt Orange Festival
  • İskele Festival
  • Lapta Tourism Festival
  • Hamitköy Culture & Cooperation Festival
  • Dikmen 11 Torch Festival
  • Değirmenlik Traditional Cyprus Night
  • International Famagusta Culture & Art Festival
  • International TRNC Festival
  • Ozanköy Carob Molasses Festival
  • Lefke Walnut Festival
  • Yeşilırmak Strawberry Festival

July

  • 20 July – Peace and Independence Day – A national holiday marked by parades and fireworks.
  • Beyarmudu Potato Culture & Art Festival
  • Mother, Baby, Children & Toy Fair
  • Gönyeli International Folk Dance Festival

August

  • Nicosia International Folk Dance Festival – Hosted by the Nicosia Turkish Municipality.
  • Kyrenia International Culture & Art Festival
  • Serdarlı Prickly Pear Festival
  • Famagusta Festival

September

  • Geçitkale Cheese Festival
  • International Cyprus Theatre Festival (Nicosia)
  • Tatlısu Carob Festival
  • International North Cyprus Music Festival
  • Youth Centres Festival
  • Cyprus Turkish Artists Festivity
  • Yeni Erenköy Beach Festivities

October

  • 29 October – Turkish Republic Day
  • International Northern Cyprus Music Festival
  • International Olive Festival
  • Büyükkonuk Traditional Eco Day
  • TRNC Hunting Fair

From traditional food festivals and university concerts to international art, music, and folklore, the events calendar of North Cyprus reflects the island’s lively cultural heartbeat. No matter the month, something meaningful, festive, or joyful is always around the corner.