Welcome back, dear reader, to another weekly round-up, chock full of some of the best things to do on the beautiful French Riviera! Christmas is now only a matter of a fortnight away and the world has put economic woes and worries aside as those cash registers chime in unison, celebrating the festive season! If you are one of the lucky ones to have finished your Christmas shopping, here are some activities that you can indulge in over the following seven days.

The Monaco Dance Forum finishes up this weekend after a week of some spectacular contemporary dance. Tonight, Friday, at 8:30pm, look out for "3 o'clock in the afternoon" by Ina Christel Johanssen at the Opéra de Monte Carlo. Tomorrow night at the Grimaldi Forum (also starting at 8:30pm), the forum finishes up with a Gala evening based around "Swan Lake", featuring the Bolshoi Soloists and Ballet de Monte Carlo.

Lovers of traditional Irish dance (with a modern twist) will be getting themselves along to the Palais Nikaïa in Nice this Sunday, 18th December, for the 'Lord of the Dance', a spin-off of the incredibly popular Riverdance. Tickets start from €34.50.

If you're looking for something a little bit different, why not check out Keren Ann (once described as the 'Norah Jones for Velvet Underground fans') who will be bringing her meticulously crafted songs to the Théâtre Lino Ventura in Nice tonight, Friday 16th December.

The Christmas markets are going strong throughout the region, from Monaco to Nice, and Grasse to Cannes. The Foire aux santons continues in Mouans-Sartoux, running until the 24th of December, thousands of "santons de Provence", of all shapes, sizes and colours are on display.

The "Christmas in Wonderland" display in the Hôtel Métropole in Monte-Carto continues its tribute to Lewis Carroll with a huge Christmas tree decorated in powder pinks and lime greens and adorned with golden touches, rock candies, giant biscuits and pocket watches - it has to be seen to be believed!

And if you happen to be in Biot this weekend, and have a penchant for art and cakes, your luck is in! Local artist and photographer Sonia Stewart will be holding an exhibition and sale of her works on Saturday 17th December at 2:30pm and she will be joined by Anna Hale, who will be providing the cakes!

For lovers of all things Cocteau, you may want to check out the new Jean Cocteau Museum in Menton which is hosting a temporary exhibition dedicated to Jean Sabrier, a Bordeaux based artist, who gives new perspectives to paintings through art history. It will also give you the opportunity to admire more than 2,000 works from the multi-talented Cocteau.

Galerie Oscar in Nice continues to host an exhibition of non-figurative works by accomplished artist Sibilla Bjarnason. The gallery will also be the setting for PassionARTa on Saturday 17th December, a Christmas party with a difference!

On the sporting front, OGC Nice host Valenciennes FC at 7pm on Saturday evening, while Ligue 2 neighbours AS Monaco travel to Havre AC for a 2:30pm kickoff, also on Saturday.

So, that's it for this week. Have a great weekend and week ahead and remember to keep checking our Facebook page for your daily slice of French Riviera life!

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