Since the middle of the month, a Christmas Market has been set up along Makarios Avenue with 16 Christmas houses selling sweets, handmade creations and local produce to raise money for charity foundations. The market is on until December 31 and operates from 3pm until 8pm on weekdays and between 11am and 7pm at the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, a concert will entertain visitors and city strollers at 6pm bringing the acclaimed Greek musician Pantelis Thalassinos to Nicosia. Joining him on stage will be two local singers, Katerina Paraschou and Andreas Elesnitsalis. Together they will perform festive songs and beloved music from Thalassinos’ lengthy career. Events will extend to next week as well as on December 29 the Music School of Nicosia will hold a 6pm concert with children performing music from the musical The Snowman.

More festivities will spread around the old town this weekend. At the underground section of Eleftheria Square a Christmas pop-up bazaar will take place on Saturday between 10am and 10pm while a treasure hunt will entertain old and young from 10.30am at Phaneromeni Square. On Sunday, music and theatre performances will take place at the underground section of Eleftheria Square, next to its bazaar stands, and at the intersection of Ledra and Onasogorou streets at 11am. Cheers to a very merry Christmas weekend!

Makariou Christmas Market and Concert

Christmas market. Until December 31. Makariou Avenue, Nicosia. Weekdays: 3pm-8pm. Weekends: 11am-7pm. Tel: 22-797000

Pantelis Thalassinos concert

December 22. Makariou Avenue, Nicosia. 6pm. Free. Tel: 22-797000