Experience Russia | Express to Russia

The Best Christmas Markets in Moscow in 2021-2022

Experience a magical Russian Christmas in Moscow. The festive atmosphere warms the snow-dusted city, thousands of lights are strung across the city’s wide boulevards, and Christmas attractions are set up on the historical squares. From traditional fairs with souvenirs and carousels, to unique festivals run by the Orthodox church, fairs of handmade goods, and markets selling products from France all the way to the Far East, anyone visiting Moscow during the festive season will be spoilt for choice.

Russia Day

Russia day is the only public holiday Russians have in summer, taking place on June 12th. It is also the only national holiday that wasn’t celebrated in the USSR. Though its name sounds simple, it is the most misunderstood of all Russia’s holidays.

Victory Day, May 9th

When people think about Russia they think of New Year and snow. Most Russians, however, when reminiscing about their country think not of sleds and fireworks, but of the bright and cheery Victory Day celebrations and the dacha season which it heralds.

International Women’s Day, March 8th

March 8th is marked in red, bold letters in Russian calendars. Weeks before the event, cities and towns are scrubbed and buffed to a shine. Though International Women’s Day, with all the flowers, perfume, chocolate and dates, may sound frivolous and unimportant, understanding this seemingly trivial holiday is key to understanding the Russian psyche.

Maslenitsa in Russia

Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic traditional holiday marking Shrovetide, the last week before the beginning of Lent. Although now part of the Orthodox calendar, Maslenitsa retains many elements of Slavic folk and pagan traditions. Whilst Shrovetide in other branches of Christianity involves just one day of eating indulgent foods, the Orthodox festivities of Maslenitsa go on for an entire week. What is the history behind Maslenitsa, and how do Russians celebrate it today?

The Russian Orthodox Epiphany and Ice-Swimming

According to the Julian, Orthodox calendar January 19th was the date when Jesus at the age of 30 was baptized. Aiming to recreate Jesus’s experience, every single believer no matter how young or old must submerge themselves in water on that day. But unlike Jesus who had the pleasant waters of the River Jordan to splash around in, Russia in January is no tropical paradise.

Christmas in Russia

Though in theory Russians are supposed to celebrate Christmas on the same day as the rest of the world, they in fact celebrate it on the 7th of January (the 25th of December on the Julian, Orthodox calendar). That is just the start of the differences between Russian and Western Christmases!

Best places to celebrate New Year 2022 in Moscow

Celebrating New Year’s is all about the fizz, the fun and the glamour, the city lights shining and the champagne flowing. So, where better place could there possibly be to celebrate this momentous event, than in the biggest city in Europe – Moscow?

The Legend of Ded Moroz

Ded Moroz is very much the symbol of the festive season in Russia, and, with his silvery beard and twinkling eyes, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Ded Moroz was simply another name for Father Christmas. The truth however, as with all things magical, is a lot more complicated than that.

New Year’s 2022 in St. Petersburg

Without a doubt, New Year is the loudest, largest and rowdiest Russian holiday. Though it is true that Russian New Year shares a few of Christmas’s traditions, such as Father Frost hiding presents under a Christmas tree, it is definitely not a stay-at-home and light a fire kind of celebration; it’s more like turn the speakers up and set the fireworks off!

The Best Christmas Markets in St. Petersburg 2021-2022

What better place to spend the Christmas season than in snowy St. Petersburg? Visitors to the northern capital have their pick of numerous Christmas markets where you can purchase last-minute presents, browse unique local products, fill up on Russian gingerbread and mulled wine, and enjoy the magical atmosphere.

Public Holidays in Russia

Basically in Russia there are as many official holidays as in every other country of the world; eight to be exact. However, the interesting thing about Russian holidays is the following: they last long. Preparation for the holiday begins at least a day before it actually arrives. Then it is considered tradition to prolong the holidays if they are close to the week-end or if they just turn out to be on a Monday. So usually instead of one day off people get two or three free days. Sometimes even more – like a special Russian fiesta!

Holidays