The What’s On agenda is getting busier and busier. With the festive season here, local events are thriving. Get ready for another weekend packed with markets, festive parades, pantomime but also ceramics, exhibitions and jazz.

Before we dive into the many Christmas events this weekend has in store, the island’s cultural scene has more to offer. At NiMAC in Nicosia, a new group exhibition opens on Friday touching on weaving and textile stories. The Repetitive Acts: The Power of Weaving and Textile in Contemporary Art exhibition, curated by Dr Elena Stylianou, will run until April next year and has a series of parallel activities and guided tours coming up.

For English-speaking poetry lovers, a special series of events will take place this weekend by KENO Publications. Renowned New York-based poet, writer and performer, Sean Patrick Mulroy, will host a poetry performance, poetry writing workshop and a lecture on Queer Poetry History this Friday, Saturday, Sunday at Flea Theatre in Nicosia.

Live music, jazz sounds and jamming will take place in Limassol this weekend as Rialto Theatre welcomes the 11th Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase. Each night local bands and ensembles will take the stage while parallel events will follow outside the theatre. The first performance is this Friday at 7pm.

In Paphos, a Christmas pantomime will take place at Stage One Theatre, Emba, bringing to life a story that is loosely based on the German fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin by the Brothers Grimm. Performances have already started and will be on this Thursday and Saturday. Of course, they are both in English.

Nicosia will have more exciting events on this weekend. Claytopia, the first ceramics festival in Cyprus will happen on Sunday at the Municipal Multicultural Centre with workshops, a ceramics market and exhibition.

Of course, let us not forget the handful of Christmas markets that will be on this weekend around Cyprus. In Pyla, the Traditional Christmas Market will take place on Dhekelia Road from December 6 to 8 with over 100 stalls, Santa visits and a Mix FM live link. Nicosia will have three markets to enjoy. The Christmas at Ermou 272 on December 7 and 8, the German Christmas Fayre at Eleftheria Square and the Festive Christmas Market at Home for Cooperation, both on Sunday. Enjoy!

Repetitive Acts: The Power of Weaving and Textile in Contemporary Art

Group exhibition. December 6-April 26. NiMAC, Nicosia. opening night: 7.30pm. Wednesday – Saturday: 10am – 8pm. Sunday: 10am – 6pm. Tel: 22-797400. www.nimac.org.cy

Poetry Events

Live performances, workshops and lectures with American poet Sean Patrick Mulroy. December 6-8. Flea Theatre, Nicosia. Various times and prices. In English. Register at [email protected]

11th Cyprus Jazz & World Music Showcase

Annual music showcase. December 6-8. Rialto Theatre, Limassol. 7pm. €10. Tel: 7777-7745. E-tickets: www.rialto.com.cy

Rumpelstiltskin

Panto loosely based on the German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. December 3-7. Stage One Theatre, Emba, Paphos. 7.30pm, except 6.30pm on Friday. In English. €10 for children and €15 for adults. Tel: 99-967737. www.stageonetheatre.net

Claytopia – Ceramic Festival

Workshops, demonstrations, a market and more. December 8. Municipal Multicultural Centre, Nicosia. 10am-6pm. https://www.facebook.com/tochka.ceramics

Traditional Christmas Market Pyla

Annual market with over 100 stalls, Santa visits, Mix FM live link and more. December 6-8. Dhekelia Road, Pyla. 3pm-10pm. www.traditionalchristmasmarket.com

Christmas at Ermou 272

Neighbourhood artists sell crafts and present festive performances. December 7-8. Ermou Street, Old Nicosia. 10am-7pm

German Christmas Fayre 

Annual Christmas German-style fayre. By Cypriot-German Cultural Association. December 8. Eleftheria Square, Nicosia. 12pm-8pm. [email protected]

Festive Christmas Market

Market with local artists, drinks, food and music by DJ Vanesha. December 8. Home for Cooperation, Nicosia. 10am-5pm