A robot took part in the Limassol Carnival parade for the first time on Sunday, joining a group of Chinese carnival performers in one of the most striking moments of this year’s celebrations.
The grand parade of the Limassol Carnival began at 1pm along Archbishop Makarios III Avenue, setting off from Agios Nikolaos roundabout and concluding at the Polemidia traffic lights (Fairways).
A total of 115 groups — featuring elaborate floats and walking performers — participated in the procession, with organisers estimating that around 30,000 carnival-goers took part.
Thousands of spectators lined the route, transforming the city’s main thoroughfare into a river of colour, music and dance at the climax of the annual festivities.
Bands, majorettes and municipal leaders
Leading the parade were the Limassol Municipality Philharmonic Band, the Cyprus Girl Guides majorettes, cantadors, the dynamic Batukinio percussion group and the Limassol majorettes, setting the rhythm for the celebrations.
They were followed by the Mayor and members of Limassol Municipal Council, headed by the Queen of Passion and Madness of the Limassol Carnival and her entourage, surrounded by large groups and eye-catching floats.
The municipality’s own floats — imaginative and topical — once again drew attention for their humour and creativity.
Satire takes centre stage
Four satirical floats prepared by the Limassol Municipality stood out during the parade.
This year, the municipality turned the spotlight on itself over the city’s traffic problem, while another float lampooned elections with a symbolic tin can. Artificial intelligence and technology were also themes, portrayed as clashing with “Cypriot cunning”. Energy policy featured prominently, with President Nikos Christodoulides depicted struggling to “plug in” the country’s power supply.
Among the participating groups were Ukrainian refugees, last year’s Carnival King and his team, and a Chinese carnival group accompanied by a robot. Cypriot performer Miltos Papadopoulos appeared in the role of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro as part of the “Five-Star Prisons of Cyprus” group.
Grand finale at the Old Port
Celebrations were set to continue into the evening with a large open-air carnival party at Limassol Old Port Square at 9pm. DJs Mitsingkas and Alex M headlined the event, keeping crowds dancing late into the night.
A “Crazy Mask” and “Smart Mask” competition was to prizes to the three most creative costumes.
At 10pm, the sky above the Old Port will light up in a spectacular drone show, with 700 drones forming colourful carnival-themed images — a dazzling farewell to this year’s Limassol Carnival.
Road closures across the city
Extensive traffic measures were implemented on Sunday, 22 February 2026. Archbishop Makarios III Avenue was closed from 8am between the Enaerios junction and Agios Nikolaos roundabout due to float assembly.
The stretch from Agios Nikolaos roundabout to the junction of Makarios III Avenue and Apostolou Varnava Street will remain closed from 11am until midnight for the parade.
Drivers were urged to follow police and municipal traffic wardens’ instructions and make use of public and private parking facilities.
The carnival celebrations will conclude with the open-air dance event at Old Port Square, marking the end of another vibrant edition of Limassol’s most iconic festival.