Christmas Day in Cyprus is a significant holiday that is celebrated on December 25th. Like in many other countries, the Cypriot Christmas is a religious holiday marking the concept of Christianity for the birth of Jesus Christ. The celebration is deeply rooted in the traditions and customs of the Orthodox Church, making it one of the most important holidays of the year for the great majority of Cypriots.
Preparations for Christmas start long before the actual celebration. People decorate their houses with Christmas lights, trees, and Nativity scenes. Special Christmas sweets are prepared and shared with family and friends, such as the traditional 'Melomakarona' and 'Kourabiedes'. The Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, known as 'Panigyri', is an integral part of the celebrations, with most of the Cypriot population attending the church services.
On Christmas Day, families gather for a big feast. Traditional dishes like 'Souvla', large pieces of meat cooked on a spit, and the Christmas cake 'Vasilopita' are often part of these family dinners. Other customs include exchanging gifts and singing Kalanda, the Greek version of carols. The holiday period extends into the New Year, with Epiphany taking place on January 6th, marking the end of the Christmas season in Cyprus.