Superbly excited folks around the world are set to rejoice in the biggest celebration of the year. Yes, it’s New Year. Different countries have certain unusual attractions in store to pamper passionate travellers.While most part of the winter holidays are over in many areas of the world, Russia is celebrating a little longer.Russian New Year holidays mark the celebration that extends halfway through January. A vacation in Russia during New Year’s time got you to enjoy the festivities, facts, and supplementary traditions. The country offers a double treat on New Year in Russia. First is the more pompous celebration on 31st December and 1st January, and the traditional celebration on 14th January with family.
New Year In Russia Facts
- Olivier salad is a mandatory preparation on the Russian New Year Table.
- As per the Orthodox Russian calendar, Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January and New Year on the 14th of January.
- Russians enjoy traditional New Year celebrations with their families. In contrast, the modern celebration of the New Year in Russia is grand. There are fireworks and special late-night feasts followed by a brief presidential discourse telecast.
- Besides Russia, old New Year is celebrated by Orthodox churches in Serbia and many other Eastern European countries.
- Russia has its own Santa. Ded Moroz, or Father Frost or Grandfather Frost, is fundamental to the Russian New Year celebration. He is clad in an embroidered red caftan gown with snow-white fur trimmings. A red cap, white mittens, and red felt boots accessorize his appearance. According to a belief, Veliky Ustyug is home to Ded Moroz. You can visit his house on your trip to Russia.
- Ded Moroz and his elf granddaughter, Snegurochka, are crowd-pullers. Snegurochka is an enigmatic character that gives a human face to frozen waters. Her character is seen wearing a white costume. They are especially popular with kids.
- The white-bearded Ded Moroz carries gifts in the red sac, which he distributes to the kids.
- According to Russian mythology, Moroz is a caring character. To thank him, Russians have a custom of serving him on Christmas. A traditional dish, kutya, also known as kissel, is offered to him. The dish is prepared with boiled rice or oats, honey, poppy seeds, and raisins. The ingredients symbolize three important traits: hope, happiness, and success.
Also Read: Russia Nightlife
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New Year in Russia Traditions
Russians attach many customs to the celebration of the New Year. The fantastic Russian New Year traditions are as follows:
• Russian people believe “The way you meet the New Year is the way you will spend it”, so they begin New Year with debt clearing. The Soviet Russian people take the occasion to cleanse souls and forgive those who did wrong to them.
• The natives clean their houses as they enter the New Year in Russia.
• It is also customary to clean the corpus. On 31st December, Russians go to the sauna (banya) or take a hot water bath.
In banya, twigs from white birch, eucalyptus, and oak are used to beat you, rule out many diseases, and improve blood circulation.
• A large assortment of dishes and the best wines at a sumptuous New Year dinner signifies prosperity and well-being will prevail in the coming year.
• The ordinary food on the New Year Table symbolizes the starved year ahead.
• Observe a sleepless New Year in Russia! Sleeping on New Year’s night is considered a curse; a sleepy day means an unexciting year.
• Before bidding goodbye to the old year, people gather at the table to recall the pleasant moments of the year. Also, the moments are used to wish each other good luck and new achievements in the New Year.
• New clothes, especially underwear, are worn to honour the New Year.
• Gifts are tokens of love. T-shirts, underwear, socks, and other items are popular New Year gifts in Russia.
• As the clock is about to strike 12, a toast of champagne is raised, and wishes are made. The wish is written on paper, burnt to ashes, dissolved in a glass of champagne, and drunk. Russians have faith that this will ensure that your wish comes true. Isn’t this exciting? You, too, can try this on New Year’s. Be cautious and follow the steps before midnight.
Russian New Year Celebration
Russian New Year feast essentially consists of herring, a pickled beet salad with mayonnaise. The herring is paired with sliced salami on the plate.
Olivier salad is a traditional Russian salad preparation accustomed to the Russian New Year. It is a simple yet tasty potato salad. The authentic recipe contains potatoes, pickles, canned green peas, carrots, chicken, eggs, and mayonnaise in an olive oil dressing.
Pickles are a traditional accompaniment to vodka and are paired with dark bread. Sliced cheese, caviar, and pierogi are other interesting starters. Tortes are a must-check-out dessert for a person with a sweet tooth. Russian chocolates are fancy for grownups and kids alike.
Orthodox church New Year festivities include service, dining, and dancing. None can be more exciting than a dinner dance on folk music. It is also the time to relish traditional Macedonian recipes.
Related Post: Places To Visit In Russia
Getting Around Russia
Get the most of Russian New Year’s Eve fun on the ride on local trains. Celebrate New Year with vodka and guests on the train. Drinking publicly in trains is legal here. Kick back to your destination by an overnight train in Russia.
New Year is Russia’s favourite holiday, and the natives make every effort to make it a traveller’s favourite, too. It commemorates three celebrations—Christmas, New Year, and Winter Solstice. The streets are illuminated to the core. Trimmings like wooden toys, lights, fruits, sweets, glass balls, etc., on fir trees add to the impressive decor.
You May Also Like To Read: Beaches In Russia
The celebration resonates with Kremlin chimes at midnight, right when both hands of the clock meet. No other time is better to visit Russia than on New Year’s Eve, but be sure to book in advance to avoid hiked prices! Plan your trip to Russia and experience the best in this glorious and charming country with your loved ones!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Russian New Year
How do they celebrate New Year in Russia?
According to the Julian Calendar, or the Orthodox Calendar, the “Old” New Year in Russia is celebrated on 14th January. It’s the smaller of the two New Year’s holidays in Russia, and on this day, the locals usually stay home and spend the day with their families. However, on the “New” New Year’s Eve, you’ll find the kind of celebrations as in any other, jazzed up to give you the best experience of welcoming the New Year in Russia.
What do Russians eat on New Year?
Olivier Salad, Shuba Salad (Russian beet and herring), Open Face Fish/Caviar Sandwich, Holodets (Meat Jello), and Champagne are the main things that Russians eat on New Year’s eve.
How long does Russian Christmas last?
As per the Orthodox Church, the Russian Christmas starts on 28th November and goes till 6th January, spanning 40 days. However, the official Christmas and New Year holidays in Russia start on December 31st and end on January 10th, spanning just 11 days.
How do I dress for New Year in Russia?
It will be cold in Russia on New Year. So make sure you pack the following items before taking a trip to Russia during that time: 1. Hats/Caps 2. Waterproof and warm woollens 3. Thick jackets or fleece 4. Scarves and mufflers 5. Woollen gloves and socks 6. Comfortable shoes or boots
What are the main holidays in Russia?
New Year’s, Christmas, Protector of the Motherland Day, International Women’s Day, Labor Day, Victory Day, Russia Day, Unity Day, Easter, Maslenitsa, Ivan Kupala, and Cosmonaut Day are some of the main festivals and holidays in Russia.
What is the biggest holiday in Russia?
The Christmas and New Year celebrations are considered to be the biggest holidays in Russia.
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