The announcements and posters are still coming in, but we know there is a buzz around town as a few venues will be reopening after a break for the last week of 2023 and the long weekend for New Years Eve celebrations.
The weekend of 2-3 December
The annual luscious and merry Christmas Gift Fair in La Pasion Spanish Restaurant launches the Christmas – New Year shopping and dining season in Bodrum!
Make sure you visit between 11:00 and 19:00 on Sunday 3rd December to enjoy live music, warm food and drink, quality crafts and gifts. Seating can be had between stalls of gifts in the cosy courtyard and you can also step into the lovely old Bodrum house room with its lovely warm wood fire! With 15 years of sustained excellence at #lapasion, there is something for everyone. The restaurant is easy to find in Uslu Sokak, the loveliest of the small streets running between Ataturk Cad. and the ‘Shopping’ street aka ‘Bar Street’. There are plenty of private car parks in the area.
Xmas in Greece
Grab your passport and go, but book your ferry return ticket, first to get to the annual Christmas Street Market in the Kos town centre, on the nearest Greek Island of Kos, this Sunday, Dec. 3. It is a marvellous community atmosphere with all the Kos locals out for the day.
The weekend of 9-10 December
The Trafo Christmas Fair is a highlight of the festive month.
The wonderful, heartwarming day created by local ladies and families who want to bring Christmas cheer to the expat community members comes together as a Holiday Fair in ‘Trafo’, the Bodrum municipality’s café and event centre, found in Bodrum’s winter quiet shopping district under the castle walls. While it will take place on Sunday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, there are preparations going on, and preorders to be made. Have you got kids who’d like to sing along in the Popup Chorus? Get them to the two practice sessions this week, on Sunday 3rd, and Thursday 7th, at Trafo. And book their visit with the man himself for the day, when he hosts them in his grotto with the elves help, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The crafts and delicious goodies will be on stands indoors, and meals and drinks service will be as normal out on the terrace with one of the best views of Bodrum Bay.
“Baska Hayat Var” Association for Street Animals will hold its postponed Gift Fair and DJ music event in the Bodrum Municipality’s Mahfel Café on Bodrum Shopping Street, Saturday 9th December 11-18:00.
Weekend 15-17 December
To be confirmed but The Jukebox Bar in Gumbet is lining up entertainment and all sorts of jolly festive cahoots on the 15th December, and all for a good cause!
Bitez Christmas book sale
The good volunteers of Bitez who tend their beach and street dogs and cats hold regular and jam table sales throughout winter, but of course the December gathering is special. On Sunday, Dec. 17, Bar Humbug, in the Bitez beach shops cluster, will be their host venue for a Christmas Book Sale and Market from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be English-language second-hand books available, and s homemade jams and chutneys, plus a lucky draw for gifts and stocking fillers! Bar Humbug kitchen and bar are open with seating to relax and socialise, and if booked offer a Christmas roast dinner with all the trimmings, as well as a vegetarian option that will start after the market at 2 p.m.
The Bodrium Hotel and Spa, Gumbet, beside the ancient Myndos Gate are also hosting a Holiday Gift and Shopping Fair over the same weekend, 16-17 December, 12:00-18:00 each day.
There is no shortage of last minute shopping opportunities at gift markets.
Over the weekend 22-23-24 December, the popular PAB beach Bar on Ortakent Yahsi beach hosts its annual gift and crafts Christmas Market
From 23- 31st December, the biggest shopping malls, Oasis and Midtown, host NEW YEAR Markets, with gift and craft stands, bands and music, and even in Oasis – a “snowfall” day, and decorate their halls with everything that glitters and sparkles.
The all-important Christmas Day Roast meals have been announced, and we hope for more! Zest Hotel on Ortakent Yahsi beach promenade host their annual Pre-Christmas lunch on Wednesday 13th December, with turkey or seabass. And then again the full Christmas Day roast or salmon , with all the side dishes. Bookings are necessary.
J.JOES Beach Bar and Restaurant on the seafront in Yalikavak always deliver the full Christmas Day afternoon of full roast turkey with the trimmings. Again- Bookings are essential!
