Ohi Day (28 October) in Cyprus: Parades, Closures and What It Means

If you have just moved to Cyprus, 28 October can catch you out. Banks are shut, the school run disappears for a day and, in the centre of town, roads fill with pupils marching in step behind flags. This is Ohi Day, one of two Greek national days that Cyprus marks as a public holiday. Here is what it commemorates, what happens on the day and how it affects everyday life.

What Ohi Day commemorates

In the early hours of 28 October 1940, the Italian ambassador in Athens handed Greece's Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini. Italy demanded that its troops be allowed to cross from Albania and occupy strategic points inside Greece. Metaxas refused. The single word attached to that refusal, ohi ("no"), became the name of the day.

Italian forces invaded within hours, but the Greek army pushed them back deep into Albania over the following months. For a time Greece was Britain's only active ally in Europe, and the campaign is remembered as one of the first Allied successes of the Second World War. Germany invaded in April 1941 and occupied the country until 1944.

The word is spelled several ways in English: Ohi, Oxi or Ochi. In Greek it is written Όχι, and the official name is the National Anniversary of 28 October 1940.

Why Cyprus marks a Greek anniversary

Cyprus was a British colony in 1940, so the island was not invaded. Even so, the link is strong. Around 30,000 Cypriots volunteered for the Allied forces during the war, many through the Cyprus Regiment, which was formed in 1940 and served in Greece, Crete, France, North Africa, the Middle East and Italy. Hundreds more asked to join the Greek army directly.

After the war, Ohi Day became a public holiday in both Greece and Cyprus. For many Greek Cypriots it is about shared history with Greece and resistance to occupation, and speeches on the day often connect 1940 with the division of Cyprus since 1974.

The holiday is not without debate. Some commentators, including the Cyprus Mail in an editorial in 2024, have argued that Cyprus should focus on its own national days and that student parades feel dated. For now the tradition continues much as before.

Ohi Day 2026: date and parades

In 2026, 28 October falls on a Wednesday, so it is a midweek holiday.

At the time of writing (13 October 2026), the official programme for this year's events in Nicosia and the district towns had not been published. Programmes normally appear in the last week or so of October through the district administrations, municipalities, schools and the local press. Based on recent years, this is what to expect.

What is open and closed on 28 October

A few points to keep in mind:

• Banks. The Central Bank of Cyprus usually confirms the closure about three weeks beforehand; in 2025 it did so on 3 October. Card payments and cash machines normally work as usual, but a bank transfer sent on the day may only be processed on Thursday.
• Government services. Ministries, the Civil Registry and Migration Department, the tax department and municipal offices are closed. If you have an appointment for a residence permit, driving licence or tax matter, it will not be on the 28th.
• Shops. The official tourism guidance says shops close on public holidays, but in practice many supermarkets, malls and shops in coastal and tourist areas open. Opening hours vary by chain and town, so check before you go.
• Pharmacies. Only the pharmacies on the night and holiday duty rota open, so check the rota for your town before heading out.

Does your employer have to give you the day off?

For the public sector and banks, yes. In the private sector it is less clear-cut. Cyprus has no blanket rule that every private employer must close on every public holiday; it depends on your employment contract and any collective agreement in your sector. Offices often close, while hospitality, retail and tourism usually stay open. If you are unsure, ask HR in advance.

Our guide to working hours and national holidays in Cyprus lists all the public holidays and how they work.

Tips for expats

• Plan errands for Tuesday. Visit the bank, post office or a government service on Tuesday 27 October. You can catch up on Thursday 29 October.
• Go to a parade at least once. It is an easy way to see a part of local life many visitors miss. Arrive by 10:00 to find a spot with a view, and bring water and a hat, as late October sun can still be strong.
• Expect road closures. Streets along parade routes close for the morning, and parking near the centre fills up early. Walk in if you can.
• Be respectful. Stand when the national anthem plays or wreaths are laid. Photos are fine, but ask before photographing children up close.
• School parents. Your child may be chosen to march or carry a flag, which is seen as an honour. Schools usually send details about uniform and meeting times a few days before. If your child is new to the public system, our guide to enrolling in a Cyprus public school explains how the school year works.
• Restaurants get busy. Families often eat out after the parades, so book lunch if you have a favourite taverna.
• Make it a day out. With the holiday falling midweek, it is a good chance for a walk or a trip to the mountains. See our Cyprus weather month by month guide for what late October is usually like.

Ohi Day and Cyprus's other national days

Ohi Day is part of a cluster of national days, which can be confusing at first:

• 25 March: Greek Independence Day (the 1821 uprising), with student parades and a church holiday.
• 1 April: the start of the EOKA struggle against British rule in 1955, with smaller events.
• 1 October: Cyprus Independence Day, with the military parade in Nicosia.
• 28 October: Ohi Day, with student parades.

All four are public holidays. For other dates worth knowing, from carnival to Kataklysmos, see our Cyprus festivals month by month calendar.

The bottom line

Ohi Day is a short, proud morning of services and parades followed by a relaxed holiday afternoon. For expats the practical impact is simple: banks, government offices and schools are closed on Wednesday 28 October 2026, so get your paperwork done the day before. If you have never seen one of the parades, this is a good year to go. Keep an eye on local news in the last week of October for the confirmed times and routes in your town.