Weekly planner: 19 things to do around Mumbai from18th to 24th Dec

On a pedaling spree
Kick off the week with a quiet cycle ride across the 16 km spread of the lush Aarey Colony. The trail has been organised by Mumbai Rangers and will take you to some of Aarey's go-to spots like Chhota Kashmir with the lake at the centre. Riders will also get a glimpse of the colony's famous milk plants en route. Cycles and refreshments will be provided by the organisers. The total ride will be 18-20 kilometres long and the journey will begin at the crack of dawn. Also, buckle up well from this one, as there's no option of bowing out mid-way.
Where: Gather at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon East
when: December 25, 6 am
Entry: R450

For the potter-ratis
11am to 8 pm: Watch Vintage Garden in Bandra come alive with showcase ceramic pieces presented by a group of 25 ceramic artists from across India. Titled the Bandra Pottery Festival put together by Studio Potters Market, this show will present classic ceramic innovations and artistry. On display will be artisanal tableware, sculptures, functional ware, tribal masks and jewellery, to name a few. Pottery enthusiasts will also get to try their hand at the potters wheel.
Where: The Vintage Garden, inside Patkar Bungalow, Turner Road, Bandra (W)
Call: 9892547449

Foodies day out
12pm-10 pm: Karen Anand and her team is back in the city with The Mumbai Market, which promises a farm fresh treat. This time, the focus will be on natural foods Where the city's foodies will congregate to explore curated culinary experiences, meet food exhibitors from around the country across fields such as horticulture experts, cheesemakers, home chefs, boutique food manufacturers, vegetable and fruit farmers and startup vendors.

Deck the halls
3 pm - 10 pm: After a super turnout last year, Chrismasti is back again. Organised by St Teresa's Church, Girgaum and supported by St Teresa's school, this year's Chrismasti will see beat-boxing, youth choir performances and a full-fledged Christmas Bazaar by students from various schools and colleges. The star attraction, however, is the Christmas crib built on the theme of demonetisation.

Where: St Teresa's High School Ground, Charni Road
Call: 9820186490

The Nobel science
11 am: If you have the stomach for science on a Sunday morning, then hear Suranjana Pal, Mona Gupta and Sounak Biswas decode the science behind this year's Nobel Prize winners in Physiology, Chemistry and Physics, respectively. These three young researchers will speak as part of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research's Chai and Why sessions.
Where: Ruparel College, Matunga (W)
Call: 9876804720

Feast away
12 pm - 3 pm; 7 pm - 12 pm: Bring in the Christmas cheer already with an array of treats at Luna Gusta. Start with their soups like the orzo and root vegetables soup, before you tuck into their mains like prosciutto and sage wrapped monkfish. There's also plenty of options for vegetarians; go for the Graze and Share Jumbo Asparagus.

Where: Luna Gusta , Level 37, St Regis, Lower Parel
Prices:âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Rs 400 onwards
on prior reservation only
Call: 61628422

Not a walk in the park
8:30 PM : Three men squabbling over space on a park bench - that's pretty much the core plotline of Manav Kaul's play Park. However, what starts off as a light-hearted banter spirals into serious concerns about the concept of space and the dire need for it. The cast comprises Sumeet Vyas (in pic), Kumud Mishra and Shubhra Jyoti Barat.
Where: Brewbot, Off New Link Road, Andheri (W)
Entry: Rs 300
Call: 3969 8091

Go on a tea trail

Till Dec 21, 9.30AM - 11.30 PM: There's nothing quite like a cup of chai from your local tapri. To celebrate International Tea Day, Tea Trails, Vile Parle, will serve free trials of their exotic international teas in a very desi style. Wander through its exotic tea collection and discover some of the best artisanal teas around like the South African Red Tea (distinctive red liquor with a sweet and nutty taste is made from a South African plant, and is antioxidant-filled & caffeine-free), Japanese Genmaicha (popped brown rice grains in green tea with a toasted flavour) and more.
Where: Tea Trail, Ground Floor, Kingston Building, Tejpal Road, Near Old Railway Crossing, Vile Parle (East)
Call: 8655010011

Appreciate Indo-Japanese weaves
Till DEC 22, 11 AM - 7 PM: Catch the works of Japanese textile and garment designer Ryoko Haraguchi, whose avant-garde designs integrate Indian weaving with Japanese dyeing techniques. You'll see garments that are experimental, and use traditional Indian weaving, stitchwork and dyeing techniques. Haraguchi combines these with ancient Japanese methods, such as ‘Itajime' (board dyeing) and persimmon dyeing ‘Kakishibu'.
Where: Artisans', 2 - 56,V B Gandhi Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort Call: 9820145397

Attend a rural utsav in the city
DEC 22-23, 9 AM - 8 PM: Prahladrai Dalmia Lions College of Commerce & Economics is celebrating its annual fest Where the theme is to celebrate rural India. The two-day fest will include a mélange of activities such as Mad Money, Rural Makeup, Swadeshi (News Reporting) and more. There will also be fashion shows and other live performances based on the theme.
Where: Prahladrai Dalmia Lions College, S V Road, Sunder Nagar, Malad (West)
Log on to: https://www.dlu2k16.in/

Watch puppets tell a story

Dec 23, 5.30 PM: Make your child listen to an enchanting German folk tale retold through life size puppets made from recycled material by Magical Whispers, a group of Certified Storytellers, Puppeteers and Theatre enthusiasts. This is an interactive format will include folk songs with indigenous props. Your children will get a chance to learn fun facts about a new country, an age old folk tale and an activity linked to that country. The focus is to touch on development skills in children: movement, social consciousness, general knowledge and communication. These are around one hour long.

Where: CLAP, Unit No. 201, A-Wing, 2nd Floor Solitaire II, Opp. Infinity Mall, Malad (West)
Entry: Child: 350,
Adult: 600
Call: 9768524845

Don an outlandish hat for X'mas
DEC 24, 7 PM ONWARD: Spend your Christmas eve at The Little Door which is hosting a Crazy Hat Christmas Party. The DJs will spin music that will make you want to dance the night away. Walk in with your crazy hats, beards and glasses to add some spunk to your Christmas.
Where: The Little Door, Plot B31, Shree Siddhivanayak Plaza, Off Lane Opp. Citi Mall, New Link Rd, Andheri (West) (By reservations only)
Call: 9167262694

Camp in Mahableshwar

DEC 23-25, 10 PM: This might be the perfect time to camp in Mahabaleshwar, a beautiful hill station, known for its vast plateau of beautiful roads, forests and plantations. The jungles of Mahabaleshwar are known for their density and a stunning array of birds and wildlife. While there, make sure you pop some mulberries, gooseberries and strawberries.

Where: Khinger Road, Beloshi, 2 km away from Panchgani table-land, Panchgani
Entry: Rs 3,300
Log on to bookmyshow.com

19 Monday
Meet little Ponette

6.30 PM: Watch Jacques Doillon's heartbreaking drama, Ponette. Four-year-old Ponette has survived an accident in which her mother is killed. Her aunt tells her that her mother is with Jesus. However, this does little to reassure Ponette or clarify her confusion about the practical realities and spiritual dilemma posed by death.

Where: Alliance Française Auditorium, 40, Theosophy Hall, New Marine Lines
Call: 22035993

20 Tuesday
Win a drinking game

8 AM - 1.30 AM: If you've been fascinated by how people manage to ace it in a game like Minutes to Win it, here's a chance to find out. Walk in to Irish House, which is hosting the Minute to Win It night on Tuesdays and Thursdays this month, and challenge yourself with the variety of games.

Where: Irish House, Shop No. 7, A Wing, Gasper Enclave, Pali Naka, Bandra West
Call: 26400166

21 Wednesday
Groove to DJG Kilogram

10.30 PM ONWARD: Head to Trilogy for a hip hop night with DJG Kilogram, whose first huge hit was back in 2007, when he did his first remix for the movie Om Shanti Om. His talent was soon noticed by Mukesh Bhatt, which got him his next blockbuster hit, Lambi Judai.

Where: Trilogy, Hotel Sea Princess, Hotel Sea Princes, 969, Juhu Tara Rd,
Entry: Single: R1,000, Couple: R2,000
Call: 26469689

22 Thursday
Sign up for a salsa lesson

3 PM:âu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Learn Salsa, a popular form of social dance that originated in New York City with strong influences from Latin America. Your instructor will be Vineet Bangera who is the founder of the company Dance Central. Recently, he was seen along with his wife Smiley Suri in celebrity dance reality show Nach Baliye 7.

Where: Nritya Shakti Studio, 602, Shri Sai Corporate Park, Goregaon West
Entry: R500-R1,000
Call: 9702662960

23 Friday
Work towards a good cause

10.30 PM ONWARD: Head to Trilogy for a hip hop night with DJG Kilogram, whose first huge hit was back in 2007, when he did his first remix for the movie Om Shanti Om. His talent was soon noticed by Mukesh Bhatt, which got him his next blockbuster hit, Lambi Judai.

24 Saturday
Celebrate a snowy Christmas

9 PM onward: ASILO the highest rooftop bar and restaurant in the city, will be celebrating a sparkling white Christmas eve. The place will be bathed in an-all white decor. While there, you can savour desserts created by Chef Cyrus Irani such as baked alaska flambé with cognac and grand manier volcano with vanilla ice cream.

Where: Asilo, 40th FloorThe St. Regis Hotel, Lower Parel
Entry: Rs 2,500
Call: 61628031