By Antonina Tsymbaliuk

KYIV – City authorities expect at least 100,000 international football fans to visit Kyiv over this coming weekend, as English Liverpool FC face off against Real Madrid in the Champion's League Final at the Olimpiyski Stadium.

Fan zones, road closures and busy public transport will cause some inconveniences for residents here, but the huge influx of visitors will also bring a welcome boost to the city economy, pumping at least $35 million into local businesses. One year after Ukraine's capital successfully hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, it's also hoped that the Champion's League Final will further improve Kyiv's reputation as a good destination for visitors.

The final this year falls on a holiday weekend for Ukraine, and for those not interested in football and wanting to avoid the crowded city center, there are plenty of other options available:

Big Family Festival

An open-air holiday festival for the whole family takes place this Saturday, May 26. Different classes and activities for children and adults, art performances and outdoor market with goods from Ukrainian producers. All visitors can also watch a live broadcast of the Champions League Final.

Where: Spivoche pole, Lavrska st, 25

Entrance Fee: 299 UAH

Kyiv Art Fair

From May 23 until May 27, the works of foreign and Ukrainian modern artists will be exhibited at the Kyiv Art Fair. Dozens of local museums and spaces are taking part in this event. The main exhibition is located at the Toronto-Kyiv Complex. 35 galleries from around the world; more than 200 artists; a special project devoted to street art; lectures and discussion programs. Two-floor building with a total area of 4,000 square meters will host over 400 works from galleries in Ukraine, Georgia, Germany, Denmark, Poland and the United Kingdom.

Where: Toronto-Kiev Complex, Velyka Vasylkivska st, 100.

Entrance Fee: 50 UAH

Opening of Outdoor “Green Theater”

On May 25, after a 4-year break, the "Green Theater" or so-called “Zelenka” opens its stage again for summer parties and outdoor concerts. Start of the new party season is scheduled for 10pm today (Friday) and this venue will kick off their summer with a big party that night.

Where: Green Theater, Parkway, 2

Entrance: 350-1500 UAH

Botanica Jazz Concert - Opening Season

The music of an iconic jazz artist - Ray Charles - will be performed tonight (Friday) at the State Botanical Garden in Kyiv. Classic jazz hits are played by “Old Fashioned Band” under the guidance of a Ukrainian pianist and composer Pavlo Ignatiev. Concert starts at 8 p.m.

Where: Gryshko Botanical Garden, Tymiriazevska st, 1

Entrance: from 200 UAH

A Day with Elton John

Live music legend Elton John hosts a charity event in Kyiv next Monday, May 28, during the "Curazh Bazar". "A Day with Elton John" is aimed at engaging Ukrainians in the fight against AIDS. Guests will have a chance to visit a photo exhibition promoting the 11-year history of the joint activities of the Elena Pinchuk Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Funds raised during the charity event will be used to start an information center for young people in Kyiv.

Where: Kurazh Bazar, Bilomorska st, 1a

Entrance: 100 UAH.

Ice-cream Festival

The unique opportunity to indulge yourself! Sample ice-cream flavors from the most famous Ukrainian ice-cream producers. During May 26-27, Kyiv's "Ice-cream Festival" live music, food and plenty of frozen deserts. Photo zones, trampolines make up artists and a tattoo zone are also on site to keep the kids engaged.

Where: Ukrainian House, Khreshchatyk st, 2

Free entrance

New Car Festival

Petrol-heads have the chance this weekend to test drive more than two dozen new cars, exhibited in one place. Taking place this Saturday, May 26, at National Expocenter of Ukraine (VDNG). The New Car Festival features only brand new cars from the world's leading automotive brands, the winners of the All-Ukrainian competition "Auto of the Year 2018". Also here visitors will find activities for children, food courts and photo-zones.

Where: National Expocenter of Ukraine (VDNG)

Entrance fee: 100 UAH

Craft Beer Festival

On May 27 the VDNG is also hosting the largest craft brewers festival in Ukraine. Connoisseurs of beer will find over 100 beers from more than 30 local breweries.

Where: National Expocenter of Ukraine (VDNG)

Entrance: 150 UAH

New Shows at National Circus

This weekend, the National Circus of Ukraine presents two big new shows. On May 26, the “Kyiv Frescos” performance comes to town. Dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the stationary circus (1768-2018) and within the framework of the project "Kiev Circus Spring-2018". Show starts at 4:00 p.m. The new circus program features the bronze prize-winners of the International Circus Festival "Golden Elephant" in Spain, acrobats that perform stunning tricks under the Circus roof.

On May 27, the National Circus presents the Academy Gala Show, an annual cultural and artistic event by the Kyiv Municipal Academy of Pop and Circus Arts. Audience can expect a new unique program from a prominent Ukrainian director - producer of circus programs in the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Monaco - Iryna German.

“Plaza de la salsa” Open air

Salsa Club Kyiv has prepared something special for all the salseros and salserasis on this long weekend. Open-air dancing classes will last for three evenings in the downtown of Kyiv. Friday and Saturday, all salsa lovers are invited to come at 5.30pm to dance near the pedestrian bridge on Poshtova Square, Podil. On Sunday, they can take part in Rueda de Casino at ArtPrichal. Dancing classes start at 7:00 pm.

Where: ArtPrichal, Poshtova sq.

Entrance 100 UAH.

For comments or story ideas please contact UBJ Managing Editor Jack Laurenson, at: laurenson.jack@theubj.com.

Posted May 25, 2018. UBJ thanks the Ukrainian online ticket retailers concert.ua and karabas.ua for their suggestions and help with this article. Through their websites, tickets for Ukraine's best events can be purchased.