What’s on this weekend

This weekend will be packed with events as it signals the beginning of the busy festive period. It is the last weekend of November and all around the country, a vibrant cultural agenda is beating. Here’s what to do this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Kicking off the fun in a French mood is a concert by Avant Tout Production that marks 60 years since the passing of singer Edith Piaf. Vanessa Megalemou on vocals, Vasilis Vourvopoulos on piano and the French-Cypriot School Choir will pay tribute to the singer’s career by performing her beloved songs. The concert will take place on Thursday evening at Nicosia’s Pallas Theatre.

Also happening in the capital this weekend is a concert that celebrates the 100 Years of Disney. The Nicosia International Festival 2023 presents a concert that is part of the official celebrations of Disney’s 100th anniversary. Songs and musical themes from Disney’s most beloved films will be brought to life on the Nicosia Municipal Theatre stage by an orchestra of 56 musicians and major West End singers. The concert is a unique audio-visual experience with a backdrop of films that taught young and old alike to dream, including Alladin, Lion King, Little Mermaid, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Encanto, and many more. Three concerts will take place, one on Saturday and two on Sunday.

In Limassol, more musical tales will come to life on Saturday afternoon. The Coppelius Dream performance at Rialto Theatre will feature choral covers of some of the most famous ballet music scores including The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote. The 5pm performance will be presented by the Epilogi Cultural Movement hosting its third educational concert with actors, musicians and a children’s choir on stage.

Also in theatres this weekend are the sold-out shows of UK comedian Jimmy Carr. When the November 26 shows were first announced months ago, they were fully booked in a matter of hours. Comedy fans around the island will gather at Strovolos Theatre this Sunday to catch the multi-award-winning comedian in his latest stand-up show Terribly Funny 2.0.

For a dose of the Christmas spirit, head up to Fikardou, one of the official Christmas Villages. It opens its doors this Saturday with a festive programme filled with music, crafts and Christmas delights. Afro-Brazilian percussion band Batukinio will lead the opening ceremony around 5pm while throughout the afternoon there will be face-painting, a photoshoot with Santa Claus, a fire show and live jazz from a trio. Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou will attend the opening, marking the start of the Christmas Villages period which will last until January 14.

Coppelius Dream

Epilogi Cultural Movement plays famous ballet music scores for all ages. November 25. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 5pm. €10. www.rialto.com.cy

Edith Piaf

Concert by Avant Tout Production, accompanied by the French-Cypriot School Choir. November 25. Pallas Theatre, Nicosia. 8pm. €15. www.tickethour.com.cy

100 Years of Disney

Concerts with West End stars to celebrate Disney’s 100^th anniversary. November 26. Nicosia Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. 6.30pm. www.soldoutticketbox.com

Jimmy Carr

Sold-out shows by award winning UK comedian presenting his Terribly Funny 2.0 tour. November 26. Strovolos Theatre, Nicosia. 7pm and 10pm. In English

Christmas Villages 2023

Agros, Deryneia, Kalopanayiotis, Kyperounta, Laiki Geitonia, Lefkara, and Fikardou villages and Laiki Geitonia, Nicosia participate in the festive project. November 25-January 14. www.visitcyprus.com/index.php/en/christmas-villages-of-cyprus