Commandaria Festival in Kalo Chorio. Two days of Cypriot flavors

One of Cyprus' most iconic wines will be the star of a two-day festival in the mountains of the Limassol region. On October 17 and 18, Kalo Chorio invites you to the Festival of Commandaria and Tradition, where you can sample local wine, zivania, and traditional Cypriot delicacies. Admission is free.

The event will take place in the central square of a town in the historic Commandaria production region. Organizers promise tastings, demonstrations of local produce preparation, and the opportunity to get involved in making palouzes yourself.

The Commandaria Festival will last two days

Initial announcements called for a one-day event on September 20th. However, the date has been changed. According to current information published by Visit Cyprus, the festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 17–18, 2026.

On the first day, the event will begin at 2:30 PM. The entire festival is scheduled to conclude on Sunday at 10:00 PM.

The event will take place in the central Kalo Chorio square on Commandarias Avenue.

Commandaria in the main role

Commandaria is a sweet dessert wine made from Cypriot grape varieties. Xynisteri and MavroThe grapes are left in the sun to increase their sugar content and develop their characteristic intense flavor.

The wine's name is inextricably linked to the mountain villages north of Limassol. Kalo Chorio is one of the communities that make up the traditional production area of Commandaria.

During the festival, visitors will be able to taste local wine, as well as zivania and products prepared according to local recipes.

Palouzes, soutzoukkos, halloumi and resi

One of the main attractions will be the preparation palouzes, a traditional Cypriot dessert made from concentrated grape must.

This won't just be a show. Organizers invite participants to join in the dessert preparation.

The festival will also feature soutzoukkos – a delicacy most often prepared from almonds or nuts strung on a string and repeatedly immersed in concentrated must.

The program also mentions:

• pisies,
• preparing halloumi,
• resi,
• Commandaria,
• zivania,
• other traditional products from the region.

Some local delicacies will be available for tasting free of charge.

Not just wine tasting

The festival aims to present not only Commandaria itself, but also the customs, dishes and crafts associated with the Cypriot countryside.

The event will feature traditional music, local products, and demonstrations of ancient food preparation methods. The two-day format will combine tastings with learning about the region's history.

Kalo Chorio is no coincidence, however. Commandaria production remains a part of the local identity, and the wine itself has given its name to one of the town's main streets.

A good excuse to get out of town

Kalo Chorio is located in the Limassol district, but the village's landscape and atmosphere are distinctly different from the coastal part of the city. The village lies on the routes leading through the historic Commandaria region.

Autumn is a special time for Cypriot wine towns, hosting numerous festivals dedicated to grapes, palouzes, wine, and traditional products.

The festival in Kalo Chorio will be an opportunity to experience Commandaria in a place truly associated with its production, and not just as a bottle standing on a souvenir shop shelf.

Sources: Visit Cyprus; Check In Cyprus; Cyprus Alive.