The Christmas week has finally arrived and we know that our readers are busy doing their Christmas chores. This week there are ample amount of events to choose from and we are sure you will be busy checking out all these festive events to keep your Christmas spirits high. This time too we decided to feature the Christmas lunches and dinners that will be open for all of you celebrating the season. In addition to that we also have included two charity events which you could get involved in to make this Christmas a memorable one. 

Movies 

Collateral Beauty 

From Oscar-winning director David Frankel, the thought-provoking drama “Collateral Beauty” features an all-star cast, including Will Smith (“Suicide Squad,” “Concussion”), Edward Norton (“Birdman or [The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance]”), Keira Knightley (“The Imitation Game”), Michael Peña (“The Martian”), Naomie Harris (“Spectre”), Jacob Latimore (“The Maze Runner”), with Oscar winners Kate Winslet (“The Reader,” “Steve Jobs”) and Helen Mirren (“The Queen,” “Trumbo”). 

When a successful New York advertising executive suffers a great tragedy he retreats from life. While his concerned friends try desperately to reconnect with him, he seeks answers from the universe by writing letters to Love, Time and Death.  But it’s not until his notes bring unexpected personal responses that he begins to understand how these constants interlock in a life fully lived, and how even the deepest loss can reveal moments of meaning and beauty. 

The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. 

The screening dates and times of “Collateral Beauty” at Majestic Cineplex and Empire Cineplex are as follows: 

Majestic Cineplex: 10:15AM, 1:15PM, 4:30PM, 7:30PM Fri/Sat 10:30PM 
Empire Cineplex: 10:30AM, 1:30PM, 7:15PM Fri/Sat 10:15PM 

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Christmas events in Colombo 

Carol Service at St. Michael’s and All Angels 

The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols together with the blessing of the Crib at St Michael and All Angels, Polwatte, Colombo 3 will be held as usual on Christmas Eve, Saturday 24th December 2016, at 6 p.m. The Choir will be under the direction of Dr. Lalith Perera. 

Date: December 24 
Venue: St Michael and All Angels, Polwatte, Colombo 3 
Time: 6:00PM 

Herald in the Season with Waters Edge 

Waters Edge will host special seasonal high tea with a large spread of hors d'oeuvres, deserts and  traditional Christmas goodies on the 23rd and 24th December. 

Come Christmas Eve families will gather at the Waters Edge to herald in Christmas with a gala dinner accompanied by traditional Christmas rhythms in the background from 7:30pm onwards. 

The 25th being a Sunday this year, Christmas brunch which will kick off at 11:30am, and will feature an extensive menu of all-time favourite goodies with special treats for the young ones followed by Christmas dinner from 7:30pm onwards featuring the longest dessert buffet in Sri Lanka. 

The festivities will continue on Boxing Day for when you need to take a well-deserved rest with family and friends with dinner at 7:30pm. 

Event: High Tea/ Dinner 

Date: December 24 

Event: Sunday Brunch 

Date: December 25 

For more information and to make reservations, please contact Dilrukshi on 0773 587419 or (011) 2 863863. 

Christmas Eve Dinner at Galadari Hotel 

Enjoy your Christmas in style at the Galadari Hotel with carols and festivities along with your loved ones. The 1st seating will be from 7.00pm to 9.00pm and the second seating will be from 9.30pm to midnight. Carols will be sung by Choro Calibre. 

Date: December 24 
Venue: Coffee Shop, Galadari Hotel 
Time: 7:00PM onwards 

Dottie’s English Christmas Dinner at Dottie’s English Tea Room 

Dottie's invites you to join in for a traditional English Christmas Dinner on Christmas Eve. A truly festive affair with vintage Christmas music, crackers, party hats, the smell of hot mulled punch, flaming puddings, and you may even spot some mistletoe. Tickets will be priced at Rs. 3,995. The first sitting will be from 12:00 - 2:00PM and the second sitting will continue from 3:00 - 5:00PM. 

Date: December 24 
Venue: Dottie’s English Tea Room 
Time: 12:00PM onwards 

Christmas Carvery Lunch at The Steuart 

Bring to life the spirit of the season with a spectacular Christmas carvery lunch at The Steuart, with everyone’s favourite roast turkey, roast chicken, roast beef and roast pork! Vegetarian options too are available on request. Tickets priced at Rs. 4000 (adults) and Rs. 2000 (children). 

Date: December 25 
Venue: The Steuart by Citrus, & Co Pub and Kitchen 
Time: 12.00 noon onwards 

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Charity events in town 

Joy of a Smile at Noguchi Child Development Centre 

''Joy of a Smile" is an initiative by the Rotaract Club of the Faculty of Science, University of Colombo where the Rotaractors will get together with the children at Noguchi Child Development Centre, Pepiliyana on the December 24 to celebrate Christmas. 

Date: December 24 
Venue: Noguchi Child Development Centre, No. 463, Colombo Road, Pepiliyana 
Time: 9:00AM onwards 

Presents for Angels at Maharagama Cancer Hospital 

‘For us From us’ is a charity initiative focused on changing lives of Sri Lankan public. As the first event they will be joining hands with the little children at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital. As such the charity will be giving them king coconuts (highly recommended by doctors), presents and medicine on the Christmas day. 

If you are willing to contribute please contact 0718 825 878. 

Date: December 25 
Venue: Cancer Hospital, Maharagama 
Time: 7:00AM - 10:00AM