It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas in Moscow!
Updated December 13th, 2019
Winter in Moscow can be very cold and dreary. At Christmastime that all changes and the city becomes more lively and the snow sparkles a bit more.
It’s the most wonderful time of year because I am done with school!!!!….or I mean because of Christmas 😉 I am heading home for the holidays, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t gotten a taste of the Christmas festivities in Moscow. Whether you are planning to visit Moscow at Christmastime or simply want to know what Christmas is like in Moscow, read on!
Moscow Christmas Decorations
I think Moscow does a pretty good job of decorating for the holidays. Store fronts, malls and restaurants all have decorations. In Russia the main holiday is New Years on January 1st. Some people celebrate Christmas on January 7th. It is primarily a religious holiday and only those that are religious celebrate, contrary to many Americans who celebrate despite their religious beliefs.
Another interesting fact is that British schools celebrate Christmas, whether or not they are public or private. My school had a a whole Christmas week full of everything from a visit from Santa to a traditional Christmas meal. We even read the Nativity story to the children. Coming from a NYC public school I am still in a bit of shock about the extent we celebrate within the school.
What to Do in Moscow at Christmastime
I’m going out of the city for almost a month to travel and visit friends and family in the USA, so I will miss out on a lot of the Russian festivities. If you are spending December in Moscow here are some things you must check out:
Christmas Fairs – From November to January different arts, crafts and food markets pop up around the city. Have a personalized experience with a local guide on a Christmas market tour.
Russian Winter Festival – At different locations throughout the city you can become immersed in Russian culture through Troika rides, folk dancing, ice sculptures and traditional Russian foods and drinks.
The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theater – One of the most beautiful opera theaters in the world, becomes even more magical when it produces its annual Nutcracker production.
Ice Skating – From the Red Square in front of the GUM shopping mall to Gorky Park, you can find ice skating rinks all over the city.
Moscow Ice Festival – Marvel at Moscow’s most famous buildings made out of ice!
Christmas Light Show – Watch a free Christmas light show projected on a museum facade!
Free Museum Days – If you need a break from the cold and snow take advantage of the free museum days from Jan 2nd – Jan 8th.
Troika Ride – For an authentic and traditional Russian experience go outside of the city for a Troika ride (horse and carriage ride)
Where to Stay in Moscow
If you want to see the main sights of Moscow you will want to stay in the center near the Red Square and Kremlin. The Red Square becomes even more magical at Christmastime. In close proximity to all the holiday festivities is the way to go!
What did I miss? Where do you go for holiday fun and what would you recommend doing during Christmastime in Moscow, Russia?
More About Moscow
- The Must-See Sights of Moscow
- Unique Things to Do in Moscow
- The Moscow Metro
- Spartak Stadium (A World Cup Stadium)
- Russian Malls
- Georgian Food, the Victory Museum & Russian Lessons
- Markets: Izmailovsky Market, Danilovsky Market
- Museums: Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812, Moscow City Museum, State Historical Museum
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36 Comments
Yara
Love this! I have a layover in Moscow in January and hoping to see this holiday gems then. Great way of highlighting lesser known and even free attractions where the decorations are.
admin
Thanks! Have a great time!
Jackie S.
You’re getting me into the Christmas spirit! I’m living in Vietnam now so there are some Christmas decorations but not in a huge proportion like the mall decorations. The Santa decor pushing either snow or presents is hilarious. As a fan of the Nutcracker, I would love to see a production in Moscow. Thanks for sharing these tips of places to visit during the Christmastime.
admin
I was actually supposed to see the Nutcracker in Moscow last year, but due to a huge several day weather delay I missed it, I was so bummed 🙁
I hope you have a great Christmas in Vietnam!
Sumaya Bezrati
Wow, I’ve never been and now I definitely want to!!
Namita
Moscow sure looks super dressed up for Christmas! And Christmas on Jan 7th interesting I’d never heard of that before. I somehow never imagined Moscow as a Christmas destination before or a place that gets very enthusiastic about Christmas. Thank you sharing this side of this fascinating city!
admin
Moscow is not as well known as other European destinations at Christmastime, but there is a lot to see and do!
Follow My Anchor
I bet it would be magical to spend Christmas in Moscow. Thank you for sharing also the Russian festivities, I would love to see the Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theater. It’s my favorite ballet and it would be awesome to see in the country of the composer of its music!
admin
Me too! I was actually supposed to see the Nutcracker in Moscow last year, but due to a huge several day weather delay I missed it, I was so bummed 🙁
Jimmy | The Practical Vagabonds
Looks like fun! We will be in a hot jungle this Christmas and were talking last night about how something about the temperature really diminishes the feeling of Christmastime for us. We are going to search for something colder next year like Moscow for sure.
admin
I grew up in the Midwest (USA) so I have always had really cold & snowy Christmases. The only year I was somewhere warmer felt really weird to me! Moscow would be great if you want a colder and snowier Christmas next year!
federica
I love visiting cities during Christmas time as the shining and brights lights make every city appear magical. I have been to 5 European cities and I have three more to come before Christmas day so I will skip Moscow this year but I am sure to save your post for the future.
admin
There are so many European cities that are magical at Christmastime. Enjoy your holiday travels!
Jas
I didn’t know Russians celebrated Christmas on the 7th! Guess you learn something new everyday hahaa. Also, it’s a little hard to read the words on the building, but is that a mall? The one that’s wrapped in red ribbons and looks like a present. It looks super festive!
admin
That one is actually a Cartier store. They did a good job making the outside of their store as glitzy as the items inside!
Broc
That one is actually NOT a Cartier store. It’s TsUM, one of the city’s older malls.
The Fearless Foreigner
There was originally a different photo in the post that was of a Cartier store that was also wrapped in red ribbon. It’s no longer in the post, so thanks for clarifying.
Bella
It seems Moscow is doing its best when it comes to Christmas decorations. Everything looks very nice, especially in contrast with the snow, and there is much to be done in the Russian capital during the Winter holidays.
admin
There are lots of holiday things to do in Moscow!
George
Maybe make a note about why Christmas is on 7 January: It is because the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar (rather than the Gregorian one.) The Julian calendar lags 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, so for the Church, civil January 7 is actually December 25 (hence “Old” New year being celebrated over January 13/14 as well.)
admin
Good to know, thanks for sharing the reason behind the date!
Maggie
I’ve definitely never thought of Moscow as a Christmas destination, but now you have piqued my interest! I bet a performance of the Nutcracker in their opera hall would be absolutely epic!
admin
Before I moved to Moscow I would have never thought of the city as a Christmas destination either. I had tickets to the Nutcracker and my flight was cancelled for several days on my way back to the city and I missed out on seeing it. I was so disappointed!
Sue Davies
Lovely post. I’d love to go to Moscow and it’s been on my list for a long time. Still not going because of the Chechnya situation (arrests and torture of gay men) and other issues. Hopefully, soon I will feel ok about going.
admin
Thank you!! Moscow is definitely an interesting place to visit (and live!). I do understand why you may not want to visit though. In reality, it is probably the safest place I have ever lived. That being said I can understand how you wouldn’t want to support the government by visiting.
Gabi
Such beautiful decorations, they show an amazing Christmas spirit. I’d love to visit Russia, but the cold temperatures scare me a little bit 😉
admin
Yes it get’s chilly, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Granted I am originally from the northern US where it gets super cold.
George Hawkins
I have only had two winters in Moscow, one averaged about +4 Celcius, the other -4 Celcius. It really isn’t too bad at all, and that was going from summer in New Zealand to winter in Russia.
admin
I agree the temperatures really aren’t too bad in Moscow. I’m originally from Northern USA where it gets much much colder! For me it was all the snow and especially the darkness that bothered me.
Taylor Deer
Wow! Moscow looks like a dream during Christmas time. I am planning on doing my Christmas market trip for 2020 in the Baltics, so I am trying to get to Russia during that time too!
admin
Ooooh a Christmas market trip in the Baltics sounds wonderful. I hope you get to Moscow. Let me know if you have any questions about the city 🙂
Emma
I haven’t been lucky enough to visit Russia yet but it certainly has a Christmas like look with all the snow. For me seeing The Nutcracker in Moscow would be a dream. I go every year and a lot of the times it’s the Moscow city ballet company that perform it. So good and festive
admin
I love seeing the Nutcracker at Christmastime too! I had tickets in Moscow, but my flight was delayed/cancelled for several days so I missed it. Needless to say I was incredibly disappointed.
Claire
I have to admit I would have thought it’d be really HARSH there this time of year. But the decorations make it look so festive and lighthearted! I love the giant bows on that one building.
I follow you on socials but I don’t think I realized you were living in Moscow. That is cool AF. I’ve always wanted to visit Russia, it’s got such a regality to it, or at least that’s my impression from the architecture and pictures I’ve seen. I need to click through and read some of your other posts about Russia.
admin
It gets harsher in January & February, but with the decorations and holiday festivities December is much nicer!
I’m no longer living in Moscow, but I did live there for a year! It’s definitely an interesting place. I wrote quite a few posts about things to do and my experiences living there.
Jen
The first week of January is big in Puerto Rico too because of Three Kings Day! Moscow looks so glamorous during the holidays. I’d love to see the city in Christmas lights!