Which Spartan festival honored Apollo and the hero Hyacinthus?

The Spartan festival honoring Apollo and the hero Hyacinthus was called the Hyacinthia.

The Hyacinthia was an important festival celebrated at Amyclae, a settlement near Sparta. It combined remembrance of Hyacinthus, a beautiful youth associated with the local religious tradition, with worship of Apollo. Ancient accounts describe mourning and solemn rites connected with Hyacinthus followed by joyful celebrations honoring Apollo.

The festival lasted several days and included religious ceremonies, communal meals, dances, and musical performances. Its structure reflected a recurring pattern in Greek religion: lamentation for a mortal or heroic figure could be followed by celebration of a powerful deity. Amyclae was especially significant because it housed a major sanctuary of Apollo, including a famous monumental image.

Hyacinthia is sometimes confused with the Carneia, another major Spartan festival associated with Apollo. The Carneia had a distinct military and seasonal character, while the Hyacinthia centered on the cult relationship between Apollo and Hyacinthus. Both festivals demonstrate how strongly Apollo featured in Spartan religious life.