The island of Syros experienced a period of great commercial and industrial prosperity, along with a flourishing of literature and arts. The island preserves old traditions in the art of shipbuilding. Even in our days, shipyards turn out new vessels and carry out repairs.

The theatre on Syros has a very long tradition. Every year, the Apollon Theatre and other stages of the island host a number of performances of both local and Athenian actors.

The island also honours its musical tradition. Even though, till the end of the 19th century, the nobility of Hermoupolis was fond of European music, the emerging rebetiko culture (songs with their roots in Asia Minor) took hold of the island. The most eminent representative of this form of music, Markos Vamvakaris, is a native of Ano Syros. Traditional musical instruments are the tsabouna and the toubi. On festivals and holidays, observed in the villages of Syros, the catching rythms of the balos and sirtos (traditional dances) can frequently be heard.

Religious ceremonies are among the strongest elements of the traditions of Syros. Catholic processions in the narrow streets of Ano Syros during the religious holidays of "Panagia tis Elpidas" and of its patron saint "Agios Georgios", are characteristic features of the centuries' old Latin culture. Quite a number of festivals such as Faneromeni and Agios Antonios in Mega Gialo attract crowds of people, catholic and orthodox alike. They also meet on the evening of Great Friday (Good Friday), celebrating moments of great religious devoutness. They form an example of the harmonic coexsistence of the two societies.

Obviously, most of these customs are found all over Greece. For instance, the red eggs and the roast lambs at Easter (Paska) and the traditional carols at Christmas (Christougenna).