Hundreds of artists to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Tbilisi Gala Concert

Over 200 popular local artists will celebrate New Year’s Eve with crowds in a gala concert on Tbilisi’s First Republic Square on Monday.

On a stage set in the Christmas Village on the Square, the four-hour show will launch at 11pm and go well into the night to mark the onset of 2019.

Six presenters will also be on stage to introduce the long roster of artists that includes the National Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Nikoloz Rachveli, the Shvidkatsa ensemble, pop singers and bands.

See a promo video released by Tbilisi City Hall and featuring some of the artists selected for the New Year’s Eve Gala Concert:

Organised by city authorities, the concert is going to be the climax of around 50 performances, shows and activities held in the capital over the festive season.

Its location, the Christmas Village on the Square, was opened a week ago and has been hosting activities including theatre performances and Christmas fair over the last week.

Visitors take photographs with Santa in the Village. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

It is the location for the House of the Snow Grandpa — the Georgian national version of Santa Claus — and a photo zone where children are invited to take photographs with him.

Characters from folk tales, an open cinema theatre and ice rink are all open at the location which was temporarily closed for traffic earlier this month.

Santa’s local counterpart the Snow Grandpa has made home in the Christmas Village to receive visitors as well. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

See Tbilisi’s main Christmas tree and lighting decorations of the city in our gallery

Staged performances at the spot — built around the main Christmas tree of the city — are going to involve a range of popular musical artists and bands, from Loudspeakers to Young Georgian Lolitaz, Nino Katamadze, Giorgi Tsagareli and SvanSikh between now and January 14.

A young participant in the festivities enjoying time on Christmas Village ice rink. Photo: Nino Alavidze/agenda.ge.

Shows, exhibitions and games for young visitors will also be hosted in other spots throughout the city during the next week and beyond.

The hilltop Mtatsminda Park, Fabrika hub and Tbilisi museums are among venues that have organised special programmes to mark Christmas  and the New Year’s Eve with their visitors.

To simplify access to First Republic Square and other festive locations, city authorities have said public transportation will work free of charge for residents and visitors of the city from 11pm of December 31 to early morning of January 1.