One of the most picturesque and underrated destinations in Europe, Cyprus also has a host of unique music festivals encompassing a variety of genres!
If Cyprus is on your list of places to visit on your Europe tour, don’t miss out on these music festivals Cyprus has to offer. The Sherp has picked some amazing music festivals from the European country that you must check out:
1. Fengaros Festival
With thirty acts spread across three stages this year, Fengaros Festival has become bigger than what it used to be. It’s a festival set up in the heart of a village called Kato Drys, and the music ranges from alternative to folk and a bunch of other stuff. There’s one known artist on the lineup this year; Joss Stone who will make her presence felt, and so will artists like Electric Litany and Adam Beattie.
(Courtesy: Fengaros / Facebook)
2. Windcraft Music Fest
Windcraft is so named because 1) It’s organised by the Windcraft Music Centre, and 2) The acts that play at this festival mainly incorporate wind instruments. It’s a 2-day festival that happens in Katydata,Β a quaintΒ village in the mountains of Cyprus. While the schedule for the day includes workshopsΒ on local history, traditions and music, the night is when the music comes alive and some stellar acts are showcased. This August will mark the 3rd edition of this upcoming festival.
(Courtesy: Windcraft / Facebook)
3.Β Bellapais Music Festival
This one’s for all fans of orchestral, folk and cultural music. The 20th edition of the Bellapais Music Festival will take place in May this year, with various artists from different countries playing violins, pianos and more. Each day, a country will take over with their artists and play at the festival.
4.Β MAYditerranean Rock Festival
The rock festival happens in Limassol, and is a good opportunity to check out some of the local rock, ethnic and lounge acts there. Like the name suggests, the festival happens in May. A part of the ticket sales will be given to a local schoolΒ to support children with disabilities. The festival will also consist of a custom bike Show, a lottery, a quiz game on bike and rock symbols andΒ prizes for all this.
5.Β International Pharos Chamber Music Festival
Very similar to Bellapais, the International Pharos Chamber Music Festival will host 6 concerts between May 27 and June 2, and will feature some of the best orchestral acts in the world. Pharos will happen in two locations: The Shoe Factory in Nicosia and Royal Manor House in Kouklia.
6.Β 1st Guitar Festival
(Courtesy:Β pafos2017.eu)
If guitar-based music is your thing, then the 1st Guitar Festival is just the event for you. The festival will honour legendary guitarist and composer Leo Brouwer, and the lineup features a host of local supporting acts. To top it off, it’s going to happen in a castle! There’ll be recitals and master classes to keep you acquainted when the concerts aren’t in progress.
7. LefkosiaΒ LoopΒ Festival
This experimental electronic music festival happening in Nicosia is a 2-day event, with artists dabbling inΒ hip hop, post rock, jazz and electronic music, with an emphasis on improvisation. The artists on the lineup play some really exciting stuff, and this year will mark the festival’s 5th edition. It usually happens in the month of January.
8. Loud Music Festival
This one definitely does justice to its name. Featuring four stages dishing out all kinds of electronic and rock music, Loud Music Festival is coming back in 2016, in the month of June. Also, did we mention it’s free?
(Courtesy: Loud Music Festival / Facebook)
Have some more festivals to add to this? Let us know in the comments!