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This weekend, Cyprus presents an important choice: head into a haunted maze and scream, or head into the mountains and eat.
Both are valid ways of processing the working week.
Halloween lands on Saturday, but pumpkins do not have exclusive rights to the weekend. There’s warm palouzes in Spilia, wine in Platanistasa, Cretan lamb in Paphos, and a chance to watch birds that have travelled considerably farther than you without complaining about parking.
So gather your people, choose your adventure, and resist trying to fit everything into two days. This is a weekend, not a ministerial inspection.
Sunday’s sweetest excuse for a mountain drive
Spilia is hosting its 15th Palouzes Festival on Sunday, Nov. 1, giving the traditional grape-juice dessert the attention it deserves.
Visitors can watch fresh palouzes being made, explore local products, and enjoy traditional music and dancing in the village square. Admission is free, although your ability to leave without buying something is between you and your shopping bag.
It’s a lovely reason to swap the city for a village outing and introduce younger family members to a dessert that existed before everything became salted caramel.
The published listing does not specify a start time. Call 22924405 before setting off.
A village gathering with something in the glass
Also on Sunday, Platanistasa’s fourth Wine Festival celebrates the tradition of wine from clay jars, with music and dancing.
The event runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Kyprianos Kouppas and Frixos Kyriakides Square. Make it a leisurely village visit, with time to wander rather than arriving, photographing a glass, and declaring the cultural program complete.
Check admission and tasting arrangements with organizers, and nominate your driver before the first pour. “We’ll work it out later” is an excellent way to organize absolutely nothing.
Paphos has history, wildlife and a very reasonable admission price
For an afternoon that exercises something beyond your restaurant-booking finger, the Pandoteira project is combining archaeology and birdwatching on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 2:30-5 p.m.
The outing begins at Nea Paphos Archaeological Site, visiting the Houses of Theseus and Dionysos and the Odeon, before continuing along the seafront to look for resident and migrating birds.
Guides from Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus will lead the event. Archaeological-site entry is free for registered participants, and the outing is suitable for adults and children 10 and older.
One practical point for English-speaking readers: the tour is in Greek only. Register through the Pandoteira event page.
Bring your curiosity. The birds are unlikely to wait while you finish a voice message.
Stay in Paphos for a Cretan supper
If your ideal Saturday evening involves food and live music, Koili hosts its first Antikristo Festival from 8 p.m.
Traditional Cretan lamb is the main attraction, accompanied by Cretan music, lyra and dancing. It’s an appealing alternative for anyone who would rather spend Halloween considering a second helping than applying fake blood.
The published listing does not specify prices or reservation arrangements, so check those before travelling. Go hungry; the costume can stay home.
For children with artistic ambitions—and parents with pale sofas
A free children’s painting workshop takes place at Ibrahim’s Khan in Paphos on Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., as part of Japanese artist Chiaki Kamikawa’s “Harmoni” exhibition.
The activity introduces storytelling and illustration through folklore. The listing identifies the workshop language as Greek; check booking requirements with the venue.
Someone else providing a setting for creative expression is a fine weekend development. Your dining table has served the arts long enough.
Limassol: A market date that doesn’t involve buying detergent
Take a walk by the sea, then head to Kolla’s Cyberness Halloween Market, running 4-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
More than 150 makers and shops are taking part, alongside street food, music and creative activities. Entry is free, pets are welcome, and costumes are encouraged.
It works as a family outing, a meeting point for friends or a date for couples whose recent quality time has involved comparing supermarket offers.
Set a spending limit before arriving. Handmade things have a remarkable ability to explain why you need them.
Avgorou: Let’s test that “I don’t scare easily” claim
CyHerbia Botanical Park offers family activities by day and a rather less soothing Saturday evening.
The daytime Halloween festival includes games, trails, workshops and pumpkin carving, running 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s Night of Terror, for ages 13 and older, runs 6-10 p.m., with a haunted maze and a Cursed Woodland Walk.
Take the friend who always knows exactly what everyone should do in a horror film. Field research is important.
General admission is €15. Saturday admission includes the daytime and evening events. A €28 bundle includes a reserved pumpkin-carving station and materials; some activities cost extra. Book carving ahead through CyHerbia.
Nicosia: Turn “we must meet up” into an actual appointment
Send the group chat a time and place: Faneromeni Square, Saturday, from 3 p.m.
Golem Brewhouse and Crossline Brewing are hosting a Craft Brewers Festival, giving friends an excuse to try locally brewed beer and spend an afternoon in the old city.
Have a wander, find something to eat, and catch up properly. You may discover that your friends have entire lives beyond sending you videos at midnight.
Arrange the journey home before the tasting begins.
Larnaca: A little theatrical chaos, free of charge
Larnaka Cinema Society is screening 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' at the Municipal Market on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Admission is free, and the film is in English with Greek subtitles. Expect an eccentric cult musical with outrageous characters and a wardrobe department that clearly enjoyed itself.
A good choice for the end-of-month wallet—and anyone who wants their Halloween entertainment while seated.
One last thing before Monday gets ideas
Finish the weekend with Camille O’Sullivan’s “Loveletter” at Nicosia Municipal Theatre on Sunday at 7 p.m.
The Irish singer and performer pays tribute to artists including Sinéad O’Connor, David Bowie, Shane MacGowan, and Nick Cave. Tickets are listed at €20, with booking information at www.nif.cy.
Make it a date, take a music-loving friend, or go by yourself. There is considerable pleasure in an evening where nobody asks you what’s for dinner during the best bit.
Check the organizers' latest updates, booking requirements, and outdoor arrangements before travelling.
And remember: one good outing counts as a successful weekend. You can have an adventure and still maintain a meaningful relationship with your sofa.
