Kataklysmos: The Festival of the Flood in Larnaca

Every year, about seven weeks after Easter, Larnaca's palm-lined seafront turns into a fairground. Kataklysmos, the Festival of the Flood, is the town's biggest celebration and one of the most relaxed festivals in Cyprus. Here is what it is, when it happens and how to enjoy it.

What is Kataklysmos?

Kataklysmos (Greek for "flood") is the Cypriot name for the Orthodox feast of Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after Easter. It is linked to the story of the flood and to the sea, so the celebrations happen along the coast. People splash each other with water, swim, and spend the evenings at waterfront fairs. Many see older seaside traditions in the festival as well as the church feast.

The Larnaka Tourism Board describes the Larnaca fair as the town's largest and oldest celebration, held for more than 100 years.

When is Kataklysmos?

The date moves with Orthodox Easter. Pentecost Monday is a public holiday, and the Larnaca fair runs for several days around it.

For 2027, check the Larnaka Tourism Board site or our events page in late spring for the official programme.

Where is it held?

The main fair runs along the full length of the Foinikoudes (Palm Tree) promenade in Larnaca, with stalls on the seafront and two stages: the Seafront Stage and Europe Square. Other coastal towns hold their own smaller Kataklysmos events. To live near the action, see our Larnaca city centre area guide.

What can you see and do?

• Concerts: Free evening shows on two stages, from school groups to well-known performers.
• Tsiattista: Improvised poetic duels in Cypriot Greek, where two poets trade witty rhyming couplets. Tsiattista is on UNESCO's intangible heritage list.
• Karagiozis: Traditional shadow puppet theatre, popular with children.
• Folk dance and crafts: Traditional dancing, plus craftspeople demonstrating local skills.
• Fair stalls and food: Traditional street food such as loukoumades (honey doughnuts), plus other snacks and sweets along the promenade.
• Funfair: Rides and carnival games on the beach side.
• Sea events: Daytime water sports, boating competitions and jet-ski displays.
• Water throwing: Locals traditionally soak each other with water when least expected. Children especially love it.

What is tsiattista?

Tsiattista is a form of improvised oral poetry. Two or more poets, called tsiattistes, take turns to answer each other in rhyming couplets made up on the spot, often teasing their rival or commenting on local news. The audience reacts loudly to every good line. It is performed in Cypriot Greek, so non-speakers will miss the wordplay, but the atmosphere is easy to enjoy. UNESCO added tsiattista to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2011, and Kataklysmos is one of the best places to hear it live.

When is the best time to go?

• Evenings are best for atmosphere. The promenade fills up after sunset, when concerts start and it is cooler.
• Weekdays are quieter than the weekend and the Monday holiday.
• Daytime is good for sea events and a swim at Foinikoudes beach, but it can be hot by late May or June.

Practical tips

• Parking: Central Larnaca gets very busy. In 2026 the organisers ran a park-and-ride service. Look for details in the official programme, or walk or take the bus. See our public transport guide.
• Entry: Free. Bring cash for food stalls and rides.
• Sun and water: Bring a hat, sun cream and water for daytime visits.
• Expect to get wet: Leave phones in a zip bag if you are with water-throwing children.
• Children: Agree a meeting point. The promenade is long and crowded in the evening.
• Noise: If you live near the seafront, expect late-night music for the whole week.

What else is nearby?

• Larnaca Salt Lake and Hala Sultan Tekke: Both are on UNESCO's tentative list, a short drive from the centre.
• Church of Agios Lazaros: In the old town, a short walk from Foinikoudes.
• Choirokoitia and Lefkara: A UNESCO World Heritage site and a lace-making village, both within easy reach by car. See our UNESCO sites guide.

Related guides

• Easter in Cyprus: traditions, food and what to expect
• What's on in Cyprus: festivals month by month
• Things to do with kids in Cyprus, by district