Ayia Paraskevi is celebrated on the morning of the 26th July with a service at the small chapel on the beach of Ayia Paraskevi. However, the main evening celebrations are celebrated the evening before, on the 25th. People usually start travelling round by bus, boat or motorbike by about 5pm and the celebrations carry on until about midnight.

The programme varies every year - sometimes solo singers, sometimes full bands or just a DJ, but there are always lots of stalls selling local crafts, toys, ceramics, books etc along the sandy track behind the beach.

The chapel is open and visitors are welcome to light a candle and pray to the icon of Ayia Paraskevi (Saint Paraskevi).Icon of Ayia Paraskevi: On show at the chapel entrance

Most of the islanders attend this celebration and convoys of motorbikes come and go all through the evening.

Boats leave from the Dapia jetty and the bus puts on extra services  and departs from the town beach.

Click for images of the evening celebrations.

Ayia Paraskevi Celebrations