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Journey To Christmas Moscow 2025 2026 Jm Duna Press

Leo Migdal
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journey to christmas moscow 2025 2026 jm duna press

In the heart of Russia’s winter landscape, the Journey to Christmas Moscow emerges as a beacon of festive joy, transforming the city into a vibrant tapestry of lights, traditions, and community spirit. This annual event, known officially as the Journey to Christmas festival, captivates both locals and international visitors with its blend of cultural heritage and modern celebrations. As of December 2025, the festival is in full swing, drawing crowds to over 30 venues across central Moscow and its districts. Empirical data from tourism reports indicate that similar events in previous years have attracted millions, with the 2024-2025 edition welcoming substantial numbers from regions like the Middle East, highlighting its growing international allure. The Journey to Christmas Moscow not only showcases Russia’s unique approach to winter holidays but also fosters a sense of unity amid the snowy backdrop, making it a must-visit for those seeking authentic seasonal... The origins of the Journey to Christmas Moscow trace back to efforts by the Moscow city government to revitalize winter tourism and preserve cultural traditions.

Launched in the early 2010s, the festival has evolved into one of Europe’s largest winter celebrations, spanning multiple weeks and incorporating elements from Russian folklore, Orthodox customs, and global influences. Unlike Western Christmas festivities centered on December 25, Russia’s celebrations emphasize New Year’s Eve, a legacy from Soviet times when religious holidays were downplayed. However, the Orthodox Christmas on January 7 adds a spiritual layer, with many decorations reflecting this dual focus. Studies on urban festivals, such as those published by the World Economic Forum, underscore how events like the Journey to Christmas Moscow contribute to economic growth by boosting tourism revenue—estimated in billions of rubles... In 2025-2026, the festival’s theme draws inspiration from diverse cultures, including southern European motifs, Indian designs, Japanese lanterns, and classic Russian fairy tales, creating a multicultural yet cohesive atmosphere. A viral video shared on X by @RadioGenoa on December 5, 2025, brought global attention to the Journey to Christmas Moscow, capturing the serene beauty of illuminated tunnels and snowy streets.

The post, which garnered over 46,000 views, 5,000 likes, and hundreds of reposts, features pedestrians strolling through cascading lights in shades of red, gold, and white, with landmarks like the Central Children’s Store on... From 12 December 2025 to 11 January 2026, Moscow will once again host its annual “Journey to Christmas” festival, transforming the city into a grand winter stage where cherished traditions, beloved fairy tales and... The festival is part of the “Winter in Moscow” project. For an entire month, Russia’s capital will be immersed in the magic of the season. The aroma of holiday pastries will fill the air, the streets will sparkle with lights, and every district will unfold its own festive story, welcoming guests from different countries. This year, Manezhnaya Square will delight visitors with the “City of Christmas Tree Ornaments” — an enchanting market inspired by the warm, nostalgic aesthetic of early 20th-century cotton toys.

Here, visitors will find not only the iconic figures of the Russian New Year — Ded Moroz and Snegurochka — but also dozens of other vintage fairy-tale characters. Guests can take photos among decorations that look as though they’ve just been lifted from an old holiday coffer, take part in mini-performances inspired by fairy tales, and sample traditional dishes of Soviet New... On Tverskaya Square, visitors will find decorations inspired by Moscow’s most recognizable landmarks. Rising at the center is an eight-meter Christmas tree crafted by local artisans and adorned with hand-painted ornaments measuring 90 and 70 cm, along with oversized golden icicles more than 70 cm long. Silhouettes of the Bolshoi Theatre, VDNH pavilions and the Kremlin towers turn this tree into more than a festive installation — they form a living story of the city. These softly glowing miniature architectural symbols will create an atmosphere of true holiday enchantment, inviting guests not only to admire Moscow as tourists but to feel part of its grand, celebratory spirit.

A 22-meter natural fir tree, one of the city’s main holiday attractions (second in height only to the Kremlin tree), has been installed on Manezhnaya Square. This year, its décor pays tribute to traditional Russian ornaments of the past. More than ten thousand decorations and five kilometers of lights were used. Artisans created hundreds of hand-painted ornaments based on exclusive sketches by Moscow artists. They depict touching Christmas scenes, fairy-tale characters and festive winter gatherings. The composition is enhanced by silk pennants, gold and silver icicles, cotton figurines and rosy-cheeked dolls in ornate costumes — turning the tree into a living illustration of a magical holiday tale.

Young visitors of the festival will enjoy a wide range of workshops, from metal stamping and crafting Christmas trick-objects to painting glassware, making candles and creating Soviet-style ornaments. New Year cooking studios will open for the smallest guests. Numerous theatrical performances based on classic Russian fairy tales will captivate visitors, while fans of active recreation can enjoy sports zones, a curling school and more than 170 festive ice shows, including Swan Lake,... The quest “Journey for the Dream Gift” will introduce visitors to traditions of Russia’s many regions as participants collect stamps in their traveler’s passport and exchange them for prizes. From December 12 to January 11, Moscow will host the annual city festival "Journey to Christmas", which will unite 35 venues and become part of the seasonal project "Winter in Moscow". The program has been prepared taking into account the proposals of the residents of the capital, collected through the "City of Ideas" platform.

This was announced by Deputy Mayor of the capital Natalia Sergunina. "Master classes, sports events, New Year's performances and concerts will be held for visitors. Special attention will be paid to charitable initiatives. So, according to a good tradition, the festival organizes a collection of gifts for participants of a special military operation and children from new regions of Russia," said Deputy Mayor Natalia Sergunina. The Gift Factory pavilions of the Moscow Helps project have already opened. They operate at 31 city sites, including Tverskaya Square, the square on Khachaturian Street, the territory near the Nekrasovka metro station and Dmitry Donskoy Boulevard.

Volunteers help Muscovites sign postcards and form parcels. Residents usually bring sweets, books, toys and creative kits for children, as well as warm clothes and hygiene products for military personnel. A series of creative workshops were prepared for the young visitors of the festival. Children will be able to master various techniques for making Christmas decorations: from decorative boxes, "deceptions" with surprises, to metal ornaments popular in the pre-revolutionary period, created by the coinage method. The culinary program will include lessons on cooking traditional festive dishes — olivier salad, pies with apples and cinnamon, as well as cupcakes with dried fruits. Holiday markets and a magical atmosphere.

In winter, the city center transforms into a true winter fairytale with decorated Christmas trees, light installations, garlands, and art objects. At the markets, you’ll try pancakes and pies, herbal and berry teas, mulled wine, and sweet desserts. You can also buy handmade souvenirs and gifts in the Russian style. The event will feature theatrical shows, concerts, workshops, quests, and tastings. For children, swings, carousels, and attractions will be available. The time of miracles in the most magical place in the country.

Christmas miracles and a fairytale atmosphere. Light transformations of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Russia. Entertainment for guests of the region’s thermal complexes. New Year's holidays and Christmas in Russia are the most favorite time for citizens: colorful lights, Christmas music, the scent of magic in the air! Presumably, from December 12, 2025 to January 12, 2026, all the festive venues in Moscow are represented by the Journey to Christmas festival and will work every day seven days a week. We have collected the TOP 10 brightest venues of the festival to enjoy the festive atmosphere.

GUM Square – a fabulous fair near the walls of the Kremlin The style of the Christmas market decoration on Red Square in past years was Gzhel. This white-and-blue painting is a legendary symbol of Russian ceramics and porcelain. There are many gifts in souvenir shops: painted Christmas balls, felt boots, knitted mittens, Pavloposadsky and Orenburg shawls, handicrafts. Treats will be served from all over the world – Viennese waffles, Tula gingerbread, Bavarian sausages, Russian pancakes and hot fragrant mulled wine. You can also have fun skating and carousels here.

The GUM skating rink is expected to open on November 28 and will operate until the end of February 2025. Admission to the fair is free, as always. By the way, we have a list of free skating rinks in Moscow that operate every year in winter. The Christmas Fair in Sokolniki Park is one of the venues of the large-scale citywide festival "Journey to Christmas". At the Sokolniki Fair, you can take part in vocal and dance shows and master classes, cook a dish at a cooking show, enjoy delicious treats, drink punch, buy original souvenirs and gifts, clothes,... There is also an ice rink in the park in winter.

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