FOOD FEST

The Christmas Food Festival runs from December 4-6 at the Helexpo Conference (39 Kifissias Avenue, Maroussi, call 210 616-8888). Expect loads of Christmas food and cooking workshops and yuletide cheer! Open from 4-9 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sat and Sunday, December 5-6.

Tickets are at 6 euros or 10 euros for a three-day pass. Children under 12 years get in free. Ticket price includes a glass so that you can try the assortment of wines!

THE CHRISTMAS FACTORY

In its third year, the Christmas factory runs at the Gazi Factory (100 Pireos Street) daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from November 27 through to January 6. There is lots of Christmas cheer for young and old with rides, workshops and Santa’s elves!

Admission is at 5.5 euros.

SANTA CLAUS KINGDOM

A Christmas town opens its doors to young and old from December 5 through to December 7. Santa Claus Kingdom turns three years old and offers games for young and old as well as Santa’s grotto.

Expect a magic ice kingdom, amusement rides, the Christmas Express, ice rollers, trampolines, blow-up castles and workshops. The kingdom is at the Mediterranean Exhibition Hall (301 Lavriou Avenue, tel 210 6041410). Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with tickets at 7 euros for parents and 12 euros for kids.

VIENNA CHRISTMAS IN ATHENS

The V. and M. Theoharakis Foundation (9 Vas. Sofias Avenue and 1 Merlin sts, tel 210 3611206) presents a program of works by Mozart, Millocker, Strauss and others performed by soprano Marianna Mansola, tenor Pablo Camaselle and pianist Anastasios Strikos. Takes place at 8.30 p.m. on December 9 with tickets at 20 euros, 15 euros and 10 euros.

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Othisi School’s Christmas Market helps raise money for the Elpida charity. Takes place at December 5 from 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at the Othisi School at 7-9 Marmara Street in the nth suburbs tel 210 814-4137.

HELP THE STRAYS

Stray.Gr is hosting its 12th Christmas Bazaar from December 12-13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Thission Lofts (123 Pireos Street, Athens) It is located across from the Gazi factory, at Keramikos Metro.

SPREAD THE LOVE

What better time than Christmas to spread love? Head to the Spread the Love Christmas Bazaar that supports animals. Takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from December 12-13.

Admission free.

MORE ANIMAL LOVE…

LUCK CHARMS

The Eleni Marneri Gallery (5 Lembesi Street, tel 210 8619488) presents New Year’s luck charms from pomegranates to the evil eye until December 5 from Tuesday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

NUTCRACKER

What would Christmas be without a performance of the Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker? It is presented by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy at the Badminton Theater (Parko Scholis Horofylakis, tel 210 8840600) on December 19 (4 p.m. and 8 p.m.), December 20 (noon, 6 p.m.), December 21 (8 p.m.), December 23 (6 p.m.), December 25 (8 p.m.), December 26 (4 p.m. and 8 p.m.) and December 27 (noon, 6 p.m.)

BRINGING CHRISTMAS TO UGANDA

“Friends of Monde” invite guests to their 4th Christmas Bazaar from December 11-13 at METApolis (48-50 Aiolou St, tel 210 3253550). All proceeds go to support Monde in Uganda, Africa. Open from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday with many events taking place in the framework of the bazaar.

Admission free.

GOING DUTCH!

Creative Christmas Fair at the Dutch Club (99 Kallirois and 1 Koromila Ave, Neos Kosmos, Kassomoulis Tram station) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on December 12. Everybody is welcome to select from handicrafts made by creative members, made of wood, fabric, metal, ceramic, knitted or crochet, make excellent x-mas presents. In a cosy atmosphere with gluhwein and holiday-music!

SCHOOL CHEER!

The American Community Schools (129 Agias Paraskevis Ave and kazantzaki sts, Chalandri, tel 210 6393200) host their holiday bazaar from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 5. There will be photos with Santa, home-baked treats, live entertainment and kiddie corners. Don’t forget the lovely gifts and raffle!

AN ALSACIAN CHRISTMAS

The St. Nicholas Bazaar of the Association of Alsacians takes place at noon on December 6 at the Association of Greek Archeologists (134-136 Ermou Street). Runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and offers Alsacian specialties and handicrafts! Runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a performance by the Atelier Chorale and Polyphonies at 5 p.m.

CHRISTMAS BOOGIE

Christmas Boogie by the Rollin Foxes at Fuzz (1 Patriarchou Ioakim St, Kolonaki, tel 210 3450817) at 8 p.m on December 27. Tickets are at 8 euros.

CHRISTMAS PHOTO SESSIONS