The Ayia Napa Festival is, undoubtedly, the most popular and well anticipated event that takes place in the tourist resort of Ayia Napa, and one of the most famous events of the island. The first festival took place in September 1985 and has since been established as an annual event. It is always the last week of September, in order to coincide with the World Tourism Day. The festival is held at the Seferis Square of Ayia Napa and around the historical monastery. The festival has festive events, which reflecting the historical, cultural and agricultural traditions of Ayia Napa and all of Cyprus. Visitors have the opportunity to learn the traditions and customs of the local people, the musical traditions and folk art and especially to enjoy the warm Cypriot hospitality. During these festivities, Ayia Napa is visited by thousands of people from Cyprus and abroad. The program includes, among others, theatrical performances, concerts and Cypriot and foreign folk dancing.
Within the framework of the festival are organised plenty of events such as exhibitions of paintings and photographs of contemporary and earlier life in Cyprus as well as exhibitions of shells, flowers and butteflies. Moreover, agricultural fairs are organised by the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, are presented and demonstrated events that highlighting the traditional crafts such as woodcarving, silversmithing, coating, silk, dermatotechnia, basketmaking, pottery and more. The area of the country house-farmhouse (Agrotospito) in the central square of Ayia Napa operates as an exhibition place with all the appropriate equipment, furniture, agricultural tools, household structure and decoration of a traditional Cypriot house of the 19th century. In the courtyard of the farmhouse there are demonstrations of various municipal, rural and agricultural occupations such as manufacturing zivania, halloumi cheese, macaroni, salted meat, bread and ‘palouzes’. These events created a warm atmosphere that reflects the friendliness and hospitality of the people of Ayia Napa.