What to do in Moscow during the WINTER holidays (PHOTOS)

Enjoy the holiday illuminations

It gets dark around 4 pm in the dead of winter, but you'd never know it in Moscow, as the entire city is lit up by millions of lights and colorful light installations. In some parts, it's as bright as day! The embankments and bridges in the center are decorated with huge glowing champagne glasses. On Nikolskaya Street near the Kremlin, a whole cascade of lights “falls from the sky”. You can stroll through this magnificence all night (and don't worry about freezing, as there are plenty of 24-hour cafes, restaurants and stores in the center, where you can always warm up).

Ice skating

Starting from early December, many parks set up ice rinks. Huge ones can be found, for example, in VDNKh and Sokolniki Park. Each comes with ice skate rentals and a cafe. So, all you need to bring is a good mood!

We recommend ice skating in the evening, surrounded by countless twinkling lights. You can also skate on the Red Square at the ‘GUM’ skating rink. Meanwhile, smaller rinks can be found near almost any subway station and in courtyards free of charge.

Join the street festivities and New Year & Christmas fairs

For most of winter, Moscow's squares and pedestrian streets resemble one large festive market. ‘Puteshestvie v Rozhdestvo’ (‘Journey to Christmas’) venues have also popped up across the city. In them, you can buy colorful souvenirs and New Year tree ornaments, eat street food with a Russian flavor and drink hot beverages. It will be especially fun for children, as they can join various workshops on making candy and crafts. The main fair is, of course, on the Red Square. But, be sure to also walk along Arbat, New Arbat and Kuznetsky Most streets!.

Watch a New Year's show

Moscow’s numerous theaters and concert halls invite you to see performances with a New Year's atmosphere. Everyone dreams of seeing ‘The Nutcracker’ ballet at the Bolshoi Theater. But, if you can't get tickets, don't worry, as productions are also staged at the State Kremlin Palace, the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Music Theater, the Moscow Concert Hall, the ‘ZIL’ Cultural Center and many other venues.

Alternative shows are also being staged all over the capital. At the ‘Navka Arena’, there's ‘The Nutcracker’ ice show, while at the VTB Arena, there's Evgeni Plushenko's ‘Snow White’ ice show, featuring figure skating stars and former Olympic champions, throughout December and January. And the fairytale water show ‘Koshchei’ is taking place at the Moskvarium at VDNKh.

Attend a New Year tree party

‘Ёлка’ (‘Yolka’) is a festive gathering for children, featuring a circle dance around the New Year's tree, a performance, interaction with ‘Ded Moroz’ (Father Frost) and ‘Snegurochka’ (Snow Maiden), who are the main characters of the Russian New Year. And, of course, presents are on agenda! And adults won't be bored either. They are bright, colorful events with a sweet finale.

The most famous is the Moscow Kremlin ‘Yolka’, but they are also held at Gostiny Dvor, ‘Mosfilm’ studios and many other places.

Try traditional New Year's dishes

‘Olivier’ (a.k.a. ‘Russian’) salad, red caviar and ‘herring under a fur coat’ are the essential culinary symbols of the New Year in Russia. Be sure to try them while sipping a glass of Russian sparkling wine and soaking up the festive atmosphere in one of Moscow’s many restaurants. By the way, these places don’t close for holidays or weekends and you can even book a table for New Year’s Eve and welcome January 1 right there!

Here’s our list of top Russian cuisine restaurants in Moscow.

Escape to fairytale atmosphere in manor estates

If you’ve already seen everything in the city center and want to escape the crowds, head to one of Moscow’s historic manor estates. You’ll enjoy the charm of the noble architecture, an atmosphere of old Russia and a quiet, leisurely stroll amid genuine beauty. There even is a chance to meet ‘Ded Moroz’ (‘Father Frost’ aka the Russian Santa Claus) and make a wish!

Dog sledding

Dashing through the snow on a sled pulled by huskies is a classic Russian winter pastime. In Moscow and its suburbs alone, there are more than 10 parks where spirited huskies will be thrilled to take you for a ride. Don’t worry about those cute dogs, they’re not afraid of the cold and absolutely get their kicks from the non-stop exercise!

Dive into an aquapark

And, for those who dread the cold and can’t warm up even with Christmas punch, we recommend heading to one of Moscow’s water parks to heat up. Even in winter, it’s a tropical paradise inside. With slides, pools, saunas and thermal baths, you can easily spend an entire day there, losing track of time.