How to brighten up winter weekdays or what to do during the holidays? We offer you to go to the New Year’s festival with a friendly atmosphere, where, despite the frost and cold, you can feel the warmth in your soul and recharge your batteries for the coming year. We have compiled a selection of events with city festivities from Moscow to Yakutsk.
Contents
- “Winter in Moscow”
- “Journey to Christmas” in Moscow
- “Delicious frosts” in Moscow
- “Zimandra” in the Murmansk region
- Pianissimo in three cities of Russia
- “New Year’s mess” in Gatchina
- “Gorky Christmas Tree” in Nizhny Novgorod
- New Year’s Fair in the Kazan Kremlin
- “Russian Christmas” in Shuya
- “Rosafest” in the mountains of Sochi
“Winter in Moscow”
When: from December 1 to February 28.
Cost: free of charge.
In fact, Winter in Moscow is not just one festival, but a variety of events, entertainment and activities. At venues throughout the city, residents and guests can watch ice shows, meet Santa Claus, and taste the legendary metropolitan buns. In addition, attend a master class on painting Christmas tree toys, go to a fitness workout, play hockey or sing karaoke. Among the festivals included in the project: “Moscow Tea Party”, winter at the Moskino film Park, “Snow and Ice” and others.
Most of the festival events are available for free. We have prepared a list of ideas on how else to spend your leisure time in Moscow and not spend money.
At venues throughout the city, residents and guests can watch ice shows, meet Santa Claus, and taste the legendary metropolitan buns. Photo: mos.ru
“Journey to Christmas” in Moscow
When: from December 14th to January 12th.
Cost: free of charge.
More than 30 public spaces of the capital will be involved in this festival. By the way, it also refers to the big project “Winter in Moscow”. The main theme at all venues is Soviet cinema. For example, matinees for children are associated with cartoons such as “The Postman Snowman” and “Santa Claus and the Gray Wolf”. It will be interesting for young visitors to take part in games and contests, and for the older generation to remember their childhood and the plots of good old stories. On Kuznetsky Most, you can see an exhibition of designer fir trees, which will also be decorated based on films. The festival will feature free skating rinks, shows and performances, quests in Moscow parks, festive master classes and a game of curling.
Where to go for the New Year with children
No matter how much we adults love the New Year, children are waiting for this holiday the most. The island has prepared a list of places that will take your children into the atmosphere of a fairy tale.
“Delicious frosts” in Moscow
Where: Gorky Park.
When: from January 2 to January 8.
Cost: free of charge.
To start the year with delicious food and vivid impressions, it is worth going to the picturesque Gorky Park for a food festival. Here you can taste various New Year’s treats, prepare non-alcoholic mulled wine in a cozy company or paint a gingerbread. You will definitely not leave here hungry — you will have a tasting of natural products from farmers. Try traditional Soviet and modern New Year’s delicacies and sweets: a bun with sugar, lollipops, painted gingerbread. A real belly feast!
To start the year with delicious food and vivid impressions, it is worth going to the picturesque Gorky Park for the gastrofestival. Photo: mos.ru
Zimandra in the Murmansk region
Where: Lake Imandra, Leningradskaya embankment, Monchegorsk city, Murmansk region.
When: January 6-7.
Cost: free of charge.
A truly northern festival on the Kola Peninsula. This means that you can not just walk at the event and have fun, but also watch the wonder of the world — the northern lights. The program will include a yukigassen tournament for adults and children (translated from Japanese — a snow battle, in fact — a snowball fight according to the rules) as well as an igloo construction competition. Another competition will be ice fishing, where everyone can test their strength and luck. Here you can buy original souvenirs made by local residents at the fair, or create a souvenir for yourself at a master class. Two new Russian records are planned to be set at Zimandra — the largest drawing on snow and the most massive ice tea party.
Pianissimo in three cities of Russia
Where: St. Petersburg, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod.
When: from December 16 to January 20.
Cost: from 1000 rubles in Nizhny Novgorod, from 3500 rubles in St. Petersburg, in Moscow — from 3000 rubles.
In St. Petersburg, the piano festival will be held in one of the ceremonial halls of the New Hermitage with the name “Big Gap”. Young talents from Russia, China, Germany, Italy and Brazil will perform world masterpieces by Chopin, Bach and Rachmaninoff. At the concerteach performer can touch the beautiful and enjoy classical music. In Moscow, performances will take place in the assembly hall of the House of Culture “GES-2”, and in Nizhny Novgorod — in the concert hall of the cultural center “Warehouses” overlooking Strelka and the historical part of the city.
Young talents from Russia, China, Germany, Italy and Brazil will perform world masterpieces by Chopin, Bach and Rachmaninoff. Photo: Pianissimo
“New Year’s mess” in Gatchina
When: from January 1 to January 8.
Cost: free of charge.
The festival will take place on the square in front of the Gatchina Palace. There are plans for a Christmas market with treats and cute things, and fabulous performances for children, and folk festivals with round dances and fun, and sleigh rides. Various events will also take place inside the museum itself: master classes on jewelry creation, elegant balls, festive concerts, excursions, productions. It is worth bearing in mind that you will have to buy a ticket to enter the events in the palace, but you can participate in the folk festivals on the square for free.
New Year – 2025 in St. Petersburg
In this article, we have collected ideas on how to celebrate the main winter holiday in St. Petersburg: fairs, New Year’s programs, performances, themed events in hotels and much more!
Gorky Christmas tree in Nizhny Novgorod
When: from December 23 to January 8.
Cost: free of charge.
Maxim Gorky held a charity Christmas tree in these places for the first time. The good tradition laid down by the writer continues to be observed to this day, and in 2025 she turns 125 years old. The Gorky Fair will be open on Markin Square, where you can enjoy tea with rolls, buy souvenirs, and make a gift to children in need. At the beginning of 2025, on January 4, the fairy tale will come true: your favorite characters will come to life and go for a walk. An original photo zone with an art object in the form of a snow globe will be built on the Theater Square – it’s worth coming here for beautiful and festive pictures. And on Bolshaya Pokrovskaya they will open an exhibition of paintings with sound accompaniment — here you will not only be able to make shots, but also learn a lot of interesting things.
The Gorky Fair will be open on Markin Square, where you can enjoy tea with rolls, buy souvenirs, and make a gift to children in need. Photo: Borodin Roman/l-o-c-o.com
New Year’s Fair in the Kazan Kremlin
When: from December 25 to January 13.
Cost: free of charge.
A cozy and atmospheric place where people come to plunge into the festive bustle and recharge with a great mood. The events will take place in the courtyard of the offices and in the cannon yard. Both spaces will be decorated with garlands, toys, and an elegant Christmas tree will be installed. The program includes interactive and traditional performances, a performance by a cover band with Russian, Tatar and foreign songs, master classes in blacksmithing, performances. At the local fair, you can taste national dishes, New Year’s treats, drink hot tea, and also buy yourself a gift from the capital of Tatarstan.
“Russian Christmas” in Shuya
When: from January 5 to January 8 — the festival itself, from December 23 to January 8 — the fair and exhibitions.
Cost: free of charge.
A festival dedicated to Christmas will unfold in a cozy ancient Russian city. Guests of the event will be able to stroll through the “Park of the Christmas Miracle” with unique multimedia installations “Waiting for a Miracle” and “Nativity Scene” showing the scene of the birth of Jesus. Workshops on creating festive souvenirs will be held for children. The whole family can watch a street performance and learn more about the nativity scenes or enjoy a concert by one of the creative teams. The fair on the square near the Rodina cinema will be open for a little more than two weeks — here you can buy local soap and gingerbread with drawings.
A festival dedicated to Christmas will unfold in a cozy ancient Russian city. Photo: russkoerozhdestvo.ru
“Rosafest” in the mountains of Sochi
Where: Rosa Khutor.
When: from January 25 to February 2.
Cost: from 8000 rubles.
“Rosafest” is an event for active people, professionals and fans of skiing. In 2025, it will be held for the tenth anniversary time. As part of the festival, you can not only ride in the mountains, but also take part in a quest, listen to lectures from famous athletes, do yoga, and go to a party in the evening. Cozy relaxation areas with hot drinks and snacks will be opened on the terraces. The photo zones will be set up in the most picturesque points with a wonderful view of the Caucasus Mountains.
Hotels in the mountains of Russia for different budgets
It’s time to plan your weekends for this winter — after all, you really want to have time to visit Christmas fairs, participate in folk festivals, and go skiing. As always, the Island will help you choose the best accommodation option.
Cover photo: volkova natalia/Shutterstock.com
