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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.

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?

Moscow’s Best Ice Sculpture Festivals in 2019-2020

Legend has it that hundreds of years ago two Russian men went ice-fishing. So engrossed were they in watching their lines that they failed to notice a snow storm hurtling towards them. The next morning, the locals found the fishermen exactly as they had been the day before, crouching over their ice-holes— frozen in time. But instead of shocking the villagers, this sorry sight inspired them to try carve figures from ice. Ever since that fateful day, ice sculptures have been at the center of Russian winter celebrations.

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!

St. Petersburg’s Annual Ice Fantasy Festival in 2021-2022

Ice— stone-hard, devilishly cold and yet strangely beautiful— is the embodiment of Russia. With that in mind, could there possibly be a better way of learning about Russian culture than through the medium of ice? We think not.

Winter Activities in Moscow

Moscow truly is the beating heart of Russia and in the run up to New Year’s, visitors can really feel it thumping! Merry-makers from all over Russia come to see Moscow in all its shining glory. At a time when most northern cities go into dormancy, Moscow blossoms.

Winter Activities in St Petersburg

Sometimes it seems as if Russians are a completely different species from the rest of us. In summer they hibernate en masse at their sleepy dachas, whereas in winter the cities turn into a hive of activity. It seems Russian’s take pleasure in having their behinds frozen off! No matter what the weather, you’ll find herds of rosy-cheeked Russians skiing through the city’s parks, dashing off to the theatre or taking the family out for a ride on vatrushkas.

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.

Winter