CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MARKET draws to a close

After four festive weeks on the esplanade of Opera Națională București, CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MARKET closes its gates, but continues to welcome visitors to the outdoor ice rink, which will remain open throughout January 2022.

Opened in the centre of the capital on 3 December 2021, CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MARKET was created around classical Christmas music and attracted over 200.000 visitors from Bucharest and across the country during December.

CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MARKET was organised for the first time by Opera Națională București and the National Chamber Choir „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”, alongside the Cantus Mundi National Programme, and was open daily from 3 to 30 December 2021, between 10.00 and 22.00.

Visitors enjoyed the finest Christmas market attractions, brought to life by carols sung live by more than 6.000 children from almost 100 Cantus Mundi National Programme choirs, who took turns on the stage in front of the National Opera. The market’s soundtrack also included recordings by the National Chamber Choir „Madrigal – Marin Constantin” and artists from Opera Națională București and Opera Comică pentru Copii, totalling almost 300 hours of classical music played without interruption.

The organisers therefore decided that one of CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MARKET’s star attractions, the 600-square-metre ice rink, would remain open throughout January 2022, along with some of the stalls offering seasonal treats.

Alongside concerts on the Cantus Mundi stage, visitors enjoyed rides in Trăsura Magică and Express-ul Polar OCC, VR sleigh rides, and Atelierele Spiridușilor, where children could make their own Christmas gifts. Encounters with Father Christmas, who received the traditional letters for Christmas Eve, brought great excitement, as did Magazinul OCC and the stalls offering traditional treats, all set in a magical scene covering no fewer than 12.000 square metres. The special atmosphere and authentic charm of this time of year also came from the stunning decorations: giant angels announcing a fairytale setting from the entrance, illuminated decorations and huge Christmas trees covered in lights, as well as projections onto the Opera building and architectural lighting displays throughout the market.

CLASSICAL CHRISTMAS MARKET formed part of the series of major festive events organised this year by Opera Națională București and the National Chamber Choir „Madrigal – Marin Constantin”.