Paphos Carnival 2026 begins with arrival of Carnival King and road closures

The Paphos Carnival 2026 officially commenced on Thursday, February 12, with the arrival of the "King of the Enchanted Forest" at 17:00. The carnival parade featured the Danceroom Jake Athanasiades dance school, the Music School Philharmonic, and the Paphos Majorettes from the Konstantina Chatzieftychiou Academy. The procession followed a route along Griva Digeni Avenue, passing through Kennedy Square and Makariou Street before concluding at Ibrahim’s Khan. Following the parade, a celebration began at 18:00 featuring DJ Claudio and the party band Time Surfers with vocalist Eleonora La Luna. The Paphos Municipality provided free food, including souvlaki, burgers, and pizza, while local shops provided drinks. To facilitate the event, police closed portions of Griva Digeni Avenue, Grigori Afxentiou, and Gladstonos streets from 16:30 until 18:00. Drivers were advised to follow police instructions and exercise caution near the festive areas. Additional festivities are scheduled to continue with a Treasure Hunt on Sunday, February 15, starting at 10:00 at 28th October Square.