Tbilisi will officially open its Christmas season on 12 December at 20:00 when the city’s central Christmas tree is illuminated in a festive ceremony at First Republic Square. As City Hall stated, the event will also mark the opening of the annual ‘Christmas Village,’ while holiday lights across the capital will be switched on the same evening.
The programme includes a theatrical musical performance featuring acrobatics, dance and the staging of the final scene from Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Star-Child.’ Participants include the Tbilisi Gymnastics Development Center, Meko Kvachantiradze’s ballet studio, Dato Fotchishvili’s ensemble Metekhi, Davit Evgenidze and ‘Ranina,’ actors Keti Khitiri and Ivane Iantbelidze, as well as hosts Levan Khurtsia and Manika Asatiani. The performance is directed by Nikoloz Haine-Shvelidze and reflects this year’s New Year slogan: ‘A City Full of Kindness.’
From 12 December to 7 January, First Republic Square will host daily activities within the Christmas Village. The decorated area will feature gastronomic and craft markets, concerts by musical bands and pop artists, a Christmas fair, exhibitions, culinary masterclasses, theatrical performances, an open-air cinema and fitness activities including kangoo, zumba, and dance karaoke. Children’s workshops, themed spaces and entertainment programmes will also run throughout the season.
The village will include an ice rink, an amusement park, the New Year city train and Santa’s House where Santa and his elves will welcome visitors. While the Christmas Village closes with a special event on 7 January, the ice rink and the city’s main Christmas tree will remain in place until 14 January.
