December is here, and for those who have not started already, it is time to start looking for the perfect Christmas and New Year gifts.
This year, Kyiv offers fairs, markets and workshops aplenty for those who want to combine their seasonal shopping with some fun activities.
Here are the Kyiv Post’s top picks of the best markets, fairs and festivals worth visiting to find some great presents, sip a cup of mulled wine, and to get into the mood for the upcoming holidays.
Kurazh Bazar
The charity flea market Kurazh Bazar offers a great chance to shop for presents, give to charity and also enjoy some holiday entertainment, tasty food, drinks – and all in one place.
This time, Kurazh Bazar will bring together Ukrainian producers and private sellers offering gifts for all tastes and pockets. The organizers also plan to raise some Hr 330,000 from ticket sales. All the money raised will be donated to the Tabletochki charity fund, which pledges to use the money to finance a support group for teenagers with cancer, as well as to launch screening rooms in Ukraine’s biggest hospital for children — Okhmatdyt in Kyiv.
Besides presents and charity, visitors to the Christmas Kurazh Bazar can try savory food and drinks from 40 local restaurants at the food court, take part in workshops and enjoy some live music shows in the evening. Kids will also get a chance to meet Santa and make Christmas wishes.
Christmas Kurazh Bazar. VDNH (1 Akademika Hlushkova Ave.) Dec. 7–8. 12–10 p. m. Hr 150. Free for children under 12, people with disabilities, retirees and pregnant women
Vsi Svoi
Clothes
Socks are always welcome at Christmas. And it is always a good idea to give any clothes as gifts during the holidays, especially if these clothes are made in Ukraine and are of great quality. In this regard, Kyiv’s Vsi Svoi arranges a market of clothes on Dec. 7–8, where one can not only buy some presents but also find a nice outfit for the New Year’s night.
The market will offer women and men’s wear, shoes and beautiful accessories, as well as some winter clothes like sweaters, hats and scarfs. And like all markets by Vsi Svoi, entertain the audience with good food, drinks, and music.
Clothes Market. Vsi Svoi D12 (12 Desiatynna St.) Dec. 7–8. 10 a. m. — 8 p. m. Free
Gifts Market
The biggest market of gifts will take place at Vsi Svoi five-story building on Desiatynna Street. It will gather together many Ukrainian brands and producers of almost all types of presents, including clothes, lingerie and pajamas and home decor, bags hats, and jewelry, crockery, perfumes, books, toys for children and more.
Apart from presents, one can also find various entertainment at the Gift Market and purchase wine, cheese, jam, honey and different sweets.
After a long and tiring day of shopping, visitors can enjoy some hot mulled wine or other drinks, at the venue’s terrace offering a great view of Kyiv’s historical part. Gift Market by Vsi Svoi will give a chance to find “everything and a little more,” the organizers promise.
The market will work at the weekends of Dec. 14–15, and Dec. 21–22. The last Gift Market by Vsi Svoi will be held right before the New Year, on Dec. 28–29, which is perfect for those who buy presents at the last minute before the holidays.
Gifts Market. Vsi Svoi D12 (12 Desiatynna St.) Dec. 14–15, 21–22, 28–29. 10 a. m. — 8 p. m. Free
People shop for Christmas decorations at Vsi Svoi Store on Khreshchatyk Street in Kyiv on Dec. 19, 2018. This year, Vsi Svoi arranges Christmas markets and workshops where visitors can create gifts themselves. (Volodymyr Petrov)
Workshops
For those looking for some original gifts to give this year, Vsi Svoi arranges Christmas workshops, where visitors can create some special offerings themselves.
The first workshop on ceramics will take place on Dec. 7, at Vsi Svoi Store on Khreshchatyk Street. Visitors will get a chance to create either a ceramic lamp or a set of ceramic Christmas trees. On Dec. 14, visitors can create a special Christmas-themed cup decorated with a self-made illustration. And on Dec. 21, Vsi Svoi will hold a workshop on weaving Christmas wreaths. The last workshop will be held on Dec. 22 and will teach visitors to paint on beautiful ceramic plates.
The cost for all needed materials is included in the entrance price. Do not forget to register in advance at www.vsisvoi.typeform.com
Christmas Workshops. Vsi Svoi Store (34 Khreshchatyk St.) Dec. 7, 14, 21–22. 11 a. m. — 1 p. m. Hr 350–1,500.
Christmas Jewelry Market
Jewelry as a present is a great option too. Therefore, the traditional Christmas Jewelry Market takes place right before the holidays.
This time, the market will be held at Kyiv’s historical Baron Shteingel’s House, near Zoloti Vorota metro station, offering its visitors to shop for great jewelry and explore the building.
Besides shopping for presents, visitors can also take part in jewelry making workshops or to see how jewelry is made. Apart from that, Christmas Jewelry Market will host some lectures on jewelry making at the market.
Christmas Jewelry Market. Baron Shteingel’s House (1 Yaroslaviv Val St.) Dec. 14. 10 a. m. — 8 p. m. Free
Vintage
Kyivness
Those, looking for some special presents with interesting stories behind, should definitely consider Kyiv’s vintage markets: they offer lots of great gifts for all budgets, as well as warm atmosphere and fun entertainment.
In this regard, Kyivness might be a perfect spot to combine shopping for presents with entertaining activities. It is a market of vintage clothes, accessories, and perfumes where visitors can get a taste of modern, creative Kyiv.
This time, Kyivness will take place at Ukrainian House in central Kyiv, offering clothes and goods from 70 Ukrainian and world-known brands and private collectors. Apart from that, there will be some antique goods like decor and crockery and, of course, books — a perfect gift for any occasion.
Additionally, visitors can find some antique vinyl records, candles and perfumes at the vintage market.
However, Kyivness is not all about vintage. The market also offers a food court with a panoramic view of Kyiv’s historical area and live music shows.
Kyivness. Ukrainian House (2 Khreshchatyk St.) Dec. 14–15. 11 a. m. — 8 p. m. Hr 100–200. Free for children under 12 and retirees
Old Friends Retro Market
Another vintage market will take place in the capital on Dec.14–15. This year, the Old Friends Retro Market will take place at Kyiv History Museum on Bohdana Khmelnytskoho Street in central Kyiv and give a chance to find some special, vintage gifts for all tastes and budgets.
Traditionally, it offers antique accessories, decor, crockery, books and more.
Apart from that, the organizers call their market a “real museum” because of the number of antique goods. This will be the last vintage market for this year, so the organizers promise to make it an “unforgettable experience.”
Old Friends Retro Market. Kyiv History Museum (7 Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St.) Dec. 14–15. 11 a. m. — 7 p. m. Free
