Experience Russian Winter Festivals in Moscow every December and January

If you’re looking where to spend your winter months, consider travelling to Russia and make an appearance at any of the Russian Winter Festivals in Moscow.

Russian Christian and Pagan holidays are always celebrated in Moscow with a number of festivals starting mid- December until mid-January.

The Moscow Russian Winter Festivals take place at Izmailovo Park, where tourists and visitors can enjoy troika rides and hear folk music performances. It happens on the last week of December and first week of January.  It is possible to experience Russian Winter Festival activities elsewhere in Moscow including ice sculpting on Red Square and snowman-building on Arbat Street.

Get captivated with the Moscow’s classical music scene on its winter height  in mid-December and during the first week of January. Both local and international musicians perform during the nights of December.

Head to Red Square and join the throngs of celebrants ringing in the New Year with the chime of the Kremlin clock tower. This is Moscow's version of watching the ball drop in New York City. Though, you have to dress warmly with a good pair of boots because if you think you can thrive in Moscow by day, Moscow at midnight on January 1 takes a lot of bravery.

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Both the 6th and 7th of December are religious days for Othodox believers. Orthodox Christmas falls on December 7 and Christmas masses are held in churches throughout the city.  But don’t miss the most popular mass held at the Kremlin. Russian Christmastide on the other hand takes place between January 7 and January 19th. It is closely associated with fortune telling, carolling, and other Russian traditions. Another tradition for some, you can be brave to swim in the icy river water on Epiphany which happens on January 19^th.

Maslenitsa, a festival leftover from Pagan times, nevertheless corresponds with the Orthodox celebrations of Lent and Easter. This winter festival ushers out the cold weather and welcomes spring with traditional food like blini or Russian pancakes which symbolizes the sun.  Fun games, performances, and plenty of gut-warming vodka also take place on this Russian winter festival.

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