Since November 22, Technopolis in Gazi has shed its everyday look and fully embraced its festive alter-ego: The Christmas Factory. This magical Christmas universe, where children and adults can wander, create, and let their imaginations run free, will be sparkling until January 6.
What to Expect at The Christmas Factory: Bright City Unveiled
This year, Santa Claus and his cheerful crew have opened the gates of “Bright City,” a playful town bathed in twinkling lights and brimming with stories. Visitors can stroll through glowing lanes, join whimsical hands-on workshops, watch this season’s theatrical performance, and uncover dozens of bright-hearted experiences designed to fill each day with creativity, laughter, and a touch of wonder.
The Neighborhood of the Elves – Where Every Path Leads to a Story
1. The 1st Elf Primary School: In Bright City, the Ministry of Elf Education teaches only fairy tales. This year, the elves have lost the light of the Christmas Star and embark on a grand adventure to find it. Listen with your heart; some stars reveal themselves only to those who truly pay attention.
2. The Elves’ Shadow Garden: Beneath the city lies a secret underground garden. Armed with courage, a flashlight, and a willingness to see beyond the shadows, you’re invited to step into this atmospheric world and search for a hidden star of your own.
Inside the Palace of Santa Claus – A World of Playful Possibilities
1. Santa’s Presidential Office: Bright City may be just one year old, but Santa is already dreaming big, hiring new elves for delightfully unexpected roles like kourabies tester, laughter controller, and ice-slide operator. Sit for your “interview” and discover which star is waiting for you.
2. The Cine Factory: The cinema of Bright City is ready for its first big screening, starring your own imagination. Choose a winter landscape, pick your favorite animal, paint it, decide its mood, and place it in a special machine to watch it come to life on the big screen.
3. The Post Hoho-Office: This year, the elves are planning a light-hearted prank on Santa. Instead of the usual wish list, they ask you to pick the silliest present you can imagine – maybe a machine that makes excuses for skipping school, or a notebook that solves homework on its own. Write it, laugh a little, send it off – and another star shines in your name.
At the Sweets Control Center – Where the Senses Come Alive
1. Playground of Senses: Here, children and parents play together with textures, scents, sounds, and tiny discoveries that form the first language of joy. And yes – one more star glows when you use all five senses.
2. Pastry Shop “The Candy Star”: Santa has asked for the strangest recipe ever attempted: a dessert made from flour, water, salt… and light. The elf-pastry chefs are waiting for you to join in, experiment, and maybe contribute the missing ingredient.
At the Acropolis of Games – A World Tour of Christmas Joy
1. Christmas Customs Gallery: Follow the Elf-Traveler through a global journey of festive traditions. With a world map as your guide, visit Spain’s magical wooden log, the colorful lanterns of the Philippines, Ghana’s vibrant masquerades, Australia’s summertime holiday, and America’s dazzling decorated homes.
2. Elf Art Gallery: The elves have opened an art studio dedicated to painting the most expressive faces: yours. With bright colors, playful strokes, and a secret shade found nowhere else on Earth – perhaps the color of your own smile.
The Christmas Factory Fun Park – For the Sheer Thrill of It
Snow slides, trampolines, bumper cars, a Ferris wheel, a classic carousel, and many more attractions fill the Fun Park with energy. The elf-driver’s cheerful train takes guests around the grounds. At the center of it all lies the 400-square-meter ice rink, shimmering and waiting for you to glide across it.
Theatrical Performance: “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen
On Christmas Eve, young Kai vanishes without a trace. His friend Gerda, armed only with hope and love, sets off on a brave journey to find him, discovering that even the coldest winter melts before the warmth of a determined spirit.
Festive Treats & the Season’s Largest Holiday Market
Twenty-five food stalls serve everything from burgers, pizza, hot dogs, souvlaki, and sweets to chocolate treats, waffles, chimney cakes, and cozy winter drinks. Alongside them, more than 50 market stalls create a bustling holiday bazaar where visitors can browse jewelry, handmade decorations, toys, clothing, ornaments, personalized gifts and much more.
Opening Hours:
- November 22 – December 21:
- Weekdays: 16:00-22:00
- Saturday & Sunday: 10:00-22:00
- December 22 – January 6:
- Daily: 10:00-22:00
Tickets:
Tickets can be found here or at the desks at the entrances of the Christmas Factory. Tickets for the performance “The Snow Queen” also grant free entrance to the Christmas Factory on the day of the performance.
For more information or to view the Christmas Factory’s daily schedule, please go here.
