What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of December 5–7: Concerts, Markets, and Exhibitions
On December 5–7, Kyiv offers plenty of reasons to leave the house: a new live show by MÉLOVIN, an intimate performance by Tember Blanche, exhibition projects with deep historical meaning, and markets where you can find unique gifts and support Ukrainian artisans.
We have gathered the events worth adding to your weekend plans.
MÉLOVIN. MRoom13 Show
On December 5 at Stereo Plaza, MÉLOVIN will present the new program MRoom13 — a show dedicated to the tenth anniversary of his career since winning “X-Factor.” Specially for this event, the artist has prepared a large-scale live performance with elements of theatrical staging, combining his signature mysterious atmosphere and recognizable stage aesthetics.
The concert will feature both well-known hits and compositions from the new album released this fall.
Admission: from 700 UAH
Kureni Pustelni
On December 6, the “Pustelni” party will take place at the KURENI venue. This time, the musical atmosphere will be created by the duo AFRODISIAK, known for blending African rhythms with electronic sound. DJ OLI LIU will also join the lineup, shaping her sets as journeys through different musical moods.
Admission: from 300 UAH
Gift Market “City of Masters”
On December 6–7, the “City of Masters” market will be held at the House of Cinema — an event uniting folk artisans and local producers from various regions of Ukraine. The location will host doll-makers, handmade masters, cheesemakers, winemakers, mead brewers, clothing designers, authors of handcrafted items, and writers.
Visitors will be able to taste and purchase craft cheeses, wines, liqueurs, sweets, as well as toys, jewelry, accessories, decor items, designer clothing, towels, and embroidered shirts.
Admission: free
Serhii Lipko’s Solo Stand-Up “Forces and Means”
On December 5, a solo stand-up show by Serhii Lipko — a comedian who joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion — will take place at the House of Cinema. Due to his service, his performances happen very rarely, making this evening a special opportunity to see the artist live.
Lipko will present his new program “Forces and Means.”
Admission: 400–1200 UAH; free for military personnel
Serhii Lipko’s Solo Stand-Up “Forces and Means”
Exhibition “In the Christmas Garden”
On December 6, a large exhibition “In the Christmas Garden” will open at the National Museum “Kyiv Art Gallery.” The museum’s historical halls will transform into a space where Ukrainian mythology, folk imagery, and contemporary artistic visions come together. The exhibition is intended for a wide audience — from the youngest visitors to adults.
The exhibition features representatives of three generations of the Prymachenko dynasty — Maria, Fedir, and Ivan. Their works are filled with recognizable motifs: bright birds, fantastical animals, lush flowers, and storylines echoing Ukrainian mythopoetic tradition. Alongside them are ceramic figures, protective motanka dolls, and fantastical creatures created by contemporary Ukrainian artists.
Among the authors are Olha Rondiak, Nelli Isupova, Lesia Denysenko, Iryna Veshtak-Ostromenska, as well as illustrators of the A-BA-BA-HA-LA-MA-HA publishing house: Vladyslav Yerko, Kost Lavro, Viktor Harkusha, Andrii Poturailo, and others. They present their works in various formats — from painting and graphics to ceramics and installations.
The central highlight of the exhibition will be a large composition of motankas by Olha Rondyak and an installation made from painted translucent fabrics by Olena Batenko and Mariia Moroz. In other halls, visitors will find characters of Ukrainian fairy tales — Ivasyk-Telesyk, Kotyhoroshko, the Goat-Dereza, and Pan Kotskyi — interpreted by contemporary artists.
Admission: 75–150 UAH
Exhibition "In the Christmas Garden"
VIA “229” — Ten Years on Stage
On December 6, the Kyiv Small Opera will host a concert by the band VIA “229,” celebrating ten years of creative activity. The group, founded by Denys Serhiiovych and Ruslan Vladyslavovych, began as a humorous recording of a single song but eventually grew into a project with its own history and recognizable style.
During its existence, “229” has maintained a straightforward sound, self-irony, and rock’n’roll energy. At the anniversary concert, the band will perform key compositions from different periods — from “Okopna” to “ATO.”
The participants emphasize that every performance is meaningful for them, so they advise not to miss this rare opportunity to hear “229” live.
Admission: 600+ UAH
Tember Blanche Concert
On December 6, Tember Blanche — the project of Sasha Hanapolska, known for expressive vocals and lyrical songs — will perform on the Origin Stage. In 2021, the duo gained recognition with the hit “Vechornytsi,” later releasing their debut album “There Is No One Here but Us.”
The concert promises to be atmospheric: filled with songs that make you want to sing along, and music that feels crafted for warm December evenings.
Admission: 499–1999 UAH
“Find Banksy in the Lavra”: Return of the Hostomel Mural
At the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, one of Banksy’s most famous murals can once again be seen — a fragment of a façade with an image of a woman in a robe holding a fire extinguisher, created in Hostomel. The work returned to the capital after a temporary exhibition at the ZAG gallery in Lviv, where it was displayed behind armored glass.
Now the mural is exhibited in the Great Lavra Bell Tower next to ancient Rus’ graffiti from the 11th century — the mark of the builder of the Assumption Cathedral, discovered among the ruins in the 1950s. A brick with the ancient master’s autograph and Banksy’s graffiti form an unexpected dialogue: between a modern protest expression and the hand-carved “marks” of Kyiv residents from a thousand years ago.
The exhibit’s history is dramatic: in December 2022, attempts were made to dismantle and steal the artwork, but it was saved and transferred under the reserve’s protection. Now it has returned to the Lavra — as a symbol of resistance, resilience, and art that survives shelling, looting, and displacement but does not disappear.
Admission: 50–200 UAH
Exhibition "Look for Banksy in the Lavra"
“Bread” at the Ukrainian House: An Exhibition About a Symbol That Shapes Culture
The Ukrainian House Art Palace has opened the exhibition “Bread” — a large-scale project dedicated to one of the oldest symbols of Ukrainian culture. The exhibition presents bread not only as a product and an everyday necessity but also as a value that permeates our rituals, art, history, and memory.
The exhibition starts with archaeological artifacts: utilitarian tools from the Kyivan Rus era, Trypillian ceramics, and agricultural items. Then comes the story of grain cultivation, the economic significance of grain for Ukrainian lands, and the role of bread during periods of hardship, including famines and the struggle for freedom.
A separate section explores calendar and ritual traditions: the role of bread in life events and Ukrainian holidays, the symbolism of the oven, and the folk beliefs that shaped our worldview for millennia.
The artistic section features works by classic and contemporary artists — including Maria Prymachenko, Oleksandr Saienko, Tetiana Yablonska, Alla Horska, Viktor Zaretskyi, Zhanna Kadyrova, Ihor Haidai, and others. Here, bread becomes a metaphor, an artistic image, and a theme for reflecting on the relationship between humans and the land.
Admission: 70–150 UAH
