What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of December 26–28: Concerts, Markets, Stand-up Shows, and Exhibitions

Late December in Kyiv is a moment when the city simultaneously slows down and fills up with events. Some people wrap up the year with dancing, others go to a metal concert or a stand-up show, while some look for quiet in museums, at chamber concerts, or at Christmas markets. Over the weekend of December 26–28, Kyiv offers dozens of formats — from loud parties and festivals to events for the whole family, admirers of classical music, and those who want to spend the pre-holiday days without hustle and bustle.

We’ve gathered the most interesting events so you can choose your own rhythm for closing out the year.

Kureni Christmas

On December 27, the KURENI space will wrap up the year with a Christmas and New Year’s party. That evening, the stage will host CEPASA — a frequent guest at the venue — who will present his experimental album. From the very beginning of the event, he will be joined by KSENA, who will set the musical atmosphere of the night. The organizers promise a festive mood and a program that will become the final musical accent of the year.

Admission: from 300 UAH

“VSІ. SVOЇ”. Gift Market

On December 27 and 28, the traditional “VSІ. SVOЇ” gift market will take place at 12 Desiatynna Street, bringing together Ukrainian brands and local producers in one space at the end of the year. It’s a convenient opportunity to check off your holiday shopping lists — find gifts for family, friends, colleagues, or choose something for yourself.

The market will feature designer items and home goods: Christmas décor, textiles, ceramics, candles, toys, cosmetics, jewelry, clothing, and accessories. A separate part of the event will be food courts with craft products, so you can not only shop for gifts but also spend time in a relaxed atmosphere, combining shopping with leisure.

Admission: free

Harry Potter and the Winter Festival 2025

On December 27 and 28, the ICCM will transform for several days into a Christmas version of Hogwarts — with themed photo zones, the main hall of the magical school, a large Christmas tree, and “floating” candles. The festival space will be designed so that visitors can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the beloved universe even before the stage events begin.

The centerpiece of the program will be a concert-story performed by the LUMOS orchestra and the “Yevshan” choir. They will perform musical themes from all the Harry Potter films, as well as from the “Fantastic Beasts” series. The music will be combined with a narrative that recreates the key emotions and images of the magical world.

In addition to the concert program, the festival will offer a rich schedule for guests of all ages: competitions for the Hogwarts Cup, workshops and lectures in “magical disciplines,” shops with themed merchandise, an art exhibition, the Harry Potter Quiz, a zone for board and tabletop role-playing games. The day will conclude with a festive ball and dance workshops by the Vintage Dance Community.

Admission: from 650 UAH

Underground New Year’s Stand-up

On December 26, the CKM KAI will host a New Year’s edition of Underground Stand-up — an evening for those who have been meaning to attend stand-up all year, as well as for the regular audience that knows this format well. The event will bring together comedians with recognizable styles and sharp observations to spend the end of the year without pomp, but with a solid dose of laughter.

The program features performances by Vasyl Baidak, Zhenia Korotkov, Nastia Zukhvala, Anton Tymoshenko, and Yehor Shatailo. The comedians have prepared New Year’s sets with relevant topics, familiar situations, and jokes that work best live.

The format of the evening is designed for a friendly atmosphere: a chance to gather with friends, take a break from pre-holiday fuss, and finish the year lightly and with humor.

Admission: 250–1000 UAH

A Casket of Musical Jewels

On December 27, the Kyiv House of Scientists will host a chamber concert titled “A Casket of Musical Jewels” — a program conceived as a careful and personal introduction to works that do not lose their value over time.

The idea of the concert is simple yet expressive: just as special items are kept in a casket, this program gathers musical “jewels” that evoke memories, emotions, and the quiet joy of recognition. The focus is on French music, which the organizers call true diamonds of the classical repertoire.

The program combines Impressionism, Neoclassicism, and Romanticism. Works will be performed that captivate with different moods: from the subtle shimmer of “Fantastic Pieces” to the concentration of “Meditation” and the bright emotionality of “Captive of Love.” The concert promises a calm, intimate format — for attentive listening and an inner dialogue with the music.

Admission: 300 UAH

Christmas Concert by YAGODY

On December 27, the Pechersk Palace Cultural Center will host a Christmas concert by the band YAGODY — an event focused on caroling as a living musical tradition. At the heart of the evening are songs that appeal to memory, roots, and a sense of togetherness, which is especially important in challenging times.

The Christmas program by YAGODY combines traditional sound with a modern approach, creating a chamber yet emotionally rich atmosphere. This is a concert for those who want to experience Christmas through music — without excessive theatricality, but with a sense of warmth and inner light.

Admission: 500–1250 UAH

Metal NY 2026

On December 27, VOLUME CLUB will host Metal NY 2026 — an evening of heavy music that will bring several branches of extreme metal together on one stage.

The lineup includes Tsytska (death/grind), Arhat (oriental groove metal), Zombie Attack (thrash), Neurologic Pathology (brutal death metal), and Beer Bastard (crossover thrash). The program spans various metal subgenres — from harsh death to rhythmic crossover — without pauses or compromises.

Admission: 500 UAH

“Strykhopad”

On December 27, the House of Cinema will host “Strykhopad” — a charitable pre-New Year’s event for those who want to slow down the Christmas rush a bit and manage everything in one day. The event is organized by @cmpixa together with the House of Cinema.

The format is simple and well thought out: the program includes a market of Ukrainian producers where you can find gifts without panic or queues; speed-friending for calm conversations and new connections; as well as a collective film screening — not necessarily a holiday classic, but a film that perfectly matches the mood of the end of the year.

“Strykhopad” is conceived as a warm gathering point ahead of the holidays — without excessive hustle, with a focus on people, support for local brands, and charity.

Admission: free

Magical Christmas Concert

On December 27, the Christmas concert of the National Chamber Ensemble “Kyiv Soloists,” conducted by Volodymyr Sirenko, will take place at St. Catherine’s Church in Kyiv. The event will be held in the intimate acoustic space of the Lutheran church at 22 Lutheranska Street — a location long associated with classical music and focused listening.

The evening’s program is built around works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn. The ensemble will perform the March in D major, K. 335 No. 1, concert and vocal pieces by Mozart, as well as Haydn’s Symphony No. 46 in B major. Selected program pieces will be presented by soloists — soprano Olha Fomichova and violinist Dmytro Tkachenko.

Admission: 340–500 UAH

Exhibition “Maria Prymachenko. With Faith in Ukraine”

The National Museum of Taras Shevchenko is hosting the exhibition project “Maria Prymachenko. With Faith in Ukraine,” dedicated to the 117th anniversary of the artist’s birth. The exhibition opened on December 19, 2025.

Maria Prymachenko is one of the key figures of Ukrainian naïve art, whose works have long become a recognizable cultural symbol. Her fantastical animals, birds, floral motifs, and decorative compositions form a holistic artistic world that combines imagination, sincerity, and a deep connection to Ukrainian land.

The exhibition brings together iconic works by the artist that, over different years, defined her artistic language and secured her place in the history of Ukrainian art. The display emphasizes not only the uniqueness of Prymachenko’s style but also a broader context — Ukrainian identity, inner strength, and the continuity of creative tradition.

A separate symbolic gesture by the curators is the number of works presented: the exhibition features 117 pieces, directly referencing the anniversary of the artist’s birth and reinforcing the memorial dimension of the project.

Admission: 150 UAH