Moscow is the most populous city in Russia and its capital city. Millions of tourists visit Russia, and Moscow is the top tourist destination in the city. Moscow has over 13 million people and is a great choice for tourists to visit in the summer and winter months. Christmas in Moscow is truly beautiful as Moscow often gets snowfall during the holiday season. The festive mood is in the air, and many tourist attractions in the city during Christmas. Moscow is a major world city and political and economic capital in the Eastern European region.
Weather In Moscow During Christmas 2024
If tourists want to enjoy a white Christmas in Moscow, they have to look at the average temperatures and weather conditions in the area during Christmas. The average temperature in Moscow is usually below freezing during Christmas, and snow is a routine event. Wearing thermal and warm clothing is essential, and packing such clothing items for Christmas in Moscow makes sense.
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12 Things To Do In Moscow During Christmas 2024
Moscow is possibly one of the finest Christmas destinations. It is a heavenly wonder of celebrations and fun. The lights go shining, and festive spirits get high. Here are the things you should look out for on your trip to celebrate Christmas in Moscow 2024:
- Journey Into Christmas Festival In Moscow
- Ice Theatre at Novopushkinsky Public Garden
- Moskva Fair On Tverskaya Ploshchad
- Kremlin Russian Christmas Market
- Red Square Christmas Tree
- Christmas Restaurants in Moscow
- Dorogomilovsky Market Christmas
- Ded Moroz Parade in Moscow
- White Christmas in Moscow
- Magic Forest on Manezhnaya Square
- International Christmas Theatre on Tverskaya Street
- Park Zaryadye
1. Journey Into Christmas Festival In Moscow
Journey into Christmas is an annual event that starts on 22 December in Moscow, kicking off a series of Christmas-related events during the holiday season. This Christmas festival is spread over 30 venues in Moscow, and tourists can enjoy different events in the city. The journey into Christmas festivals has many events like shows, theatres, and art classes. Moscow is the perfect Christmas destination as thousands of lights are put up across the city, especially in central areas around the Kremlin and popular spots like Tverskaya Ulitsa and Tverskoy Bulvar.
Location: Red Square and Manezh Square
Timings: NA
Highlights: The beautiful attractions of the city
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2. Ice Theatre At Novopushkinsky Public Garden
Would it not be fun watching performers waltzing on the ice rink? You must have seen ice hockey games, but this is something unique. Moscow is a prodigy in ice ballet performances. Ice ballet performances of famous plays like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Cipollino are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. They are much-awaited on Christmas day in Moscow. These are legendary ballets that have made Moscow famous all over the world.
Location: Moscow, Russia, 123104
Timings: 11 am to 10 pm, Mon-Fri, 10 am to 10 pm, Sat-Sun
Highlights: Enjoy Christmas vibe with Ice and adventure
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3. Moskva Fair On Tverskaya Ploshchad
Christmas celebration in Moscow is not complete without the Christmas fairs in the city. There are many Christmas fairs in the city Moskva Fair on Tverskaya Ploshchad, but this is one of the best Christmas decorations in Moscow. There are hundreds of stalls that appear at these fairs selling Christmas items and food items, and they also include some recreational stalls, especially for children visiting these fairs. Many stalls sell souvenirs and special items that Russia is known for at these fairs and are very popular with tourists visiting Moscow.
Location: Moskva, Russia, 125009
Timings: Open 24 hours
Highlights: Explore stalls that appear at these fairs selling Christmas items and food items
4. Kremlin Russian Christmas Market
Moscow’s Christmas markets are famous all over the world. Christmas Markets in Moscow are visited by tourists and locals, and there are some great stalls at these markets. With the Kremlin as a majestic backdrop, the Red Square Christmas Market is a wonderful choice for tourists. This market sells souvenirs, Christmas decorations, Matryoshka Dolls, and Khokhloma painted toys. The market is spread out around skating rinks, which are enjoyed by many people while visiting this market.
Location: Moscow, Russia, 103132
Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Highlights: Explore souvenirs, Christmas decorations, Matryoshka Dolls, and Khokhloma painted toys
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5. Red Square Christmas Tree
Christmas Trees are an essential part of the celebration of Christmas. The main Christmas tree in Moscow is placed in the Red Square every year, and this is a truly spectacular tree with decorations and lights, making it a major tourist attraction during Christmas in Moscow. The tree is usually chosen by experts every year, and the main Christmas tree has to be of a specific height and diameter and be aesthetically beautiful. Every year, there is a different theme for the decorations of the main Christmas tree in Moscow. Christmas Trees are all over the city around 20th December every year. Hundreds of places throughout the city put up Christmas trees all over Moscow.
Location: Red Square, Moscow, Russia, 109012
Timings: Open 24 hours
Highlights: Witness the main Christmas tree and its amusing decoration
6. Christmas Restaurants In Moscow
One of the main tourist attractions in Moscow is the traditional Russian cuisine served during Christmas at Moscow. There are many great restaurants in the city to enjoy. Restaurants like Streat, Uhvat, Oblomov, and Ottepel. Other good restaurants in the city include Lepim i Varim, Severyane, and Pasticceria Don Giulio are other great restaurants in the city. You will be drooling in no time when you smell the aroma and look at the table laden with delicious Christmas special foods.
Location: Streat, Uhvat, Oblomav and Ottepel
Timings: Open 24 hours
Highlights: The specially-themed dishes
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7. Dorogomilovsky Market Christmas
Dorogomilovsky Market is an excellent market in the city, and tourists in Moscow can have a great time at such markets during Christmas. Tourists can experience traditional Christmas meals in Russia that include traditional delicacies like meats, holders, pies, pierogies, kalachi, blinis, compost, kissel, and many sweet dishes. These dishes are also available at Christmas markets and fairs in Moscow, and they are a great experience for tourists visiting Moscow.
Location: Ulitsa Mozhayskiy Val, 10, Moscow, Russia, 121151
Timings: 8 am to 8 pm
Highlights: Savours the traditional Christmas meals.
8. Ded Moroz Parade In Moscow
Ded Moroz means Santa Claus in Russian. There is a Ded Moroz Parade in Moscow every year, where hundreds of people dress up like Santa Claus and participate in the parade. This is a fun time in Moscow and a very popular tourist attraction in the city. It is a grand spectacle you ought not to miss if you travel to Russia because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You will fall in love with the colourful extravaganza during the festival.
Location: Baltshung Kempinski Hotel
Timings: NA
Highlights: The festive celebration of locals
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9. White Christmas Celebration In Moscow
Christmas in Moscow 2024 has several events planned for the year. There are ice slides near the Kremlin, beautifully decorated parks, a white theatre on Kilemtovsky Lane, and skating and walking parks all over the city. The Revolyutsii Square in Moscow has giant ice slides with the view of the Kremlin, which is a lot of fun for the tourists. Christmas in Moscow Russia is called white because lakes get frozen, everything is laden with white snow, and you can enjoy drinking the famous Russian Vodka during this time.
Location: Red Square
Timings: Open 24 hours
Highlights: The rides and slides
10. Magic Forest On Manezhnaya Square
The Magic Forest on Manezhnaya Square has around 300 trees, and it truly feels like a walk around the forest while visiting this area during Christmas in Moscow. The famous performance of 12 Months is a part of the show at this event, making it a top choice for tourists. Come, be a part of the Moscow journey at this Magic Forest happening right in the city’s heart. This winter festive decoration is something you should not miss during Christmas in Moscow.
Location: In the heart of Moscow, near the Kremlin and Red Square
Timings: 12 PM to 10 PM
Highlights: The decoration in the trees
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11. International Christmas Theatre On Tverskaya Street
International Christmas Theatre is a great choice for tourists visiting Moscow during this time of the year, and there is a list of major events in Moscow during Christmas. On the famous Tverskaya Street in Moscow, tourists can enjoy staged fairytales and really get into the Christmas mood. Come and be a part of the theatrical journey during Christmas in Moscow.
Location: In the center of Moscow
Timings: 10 AM to 10 PM
Highlights: The special performances
12. Park Zaryadye
Tourists can enjoy a beautiful stroll at the Park Zaryadye which is lit up with Christmas lights and Christmas decorations throughout the Christmas season. Celebrations begin on December 22nd and end around 14th January next year. This is a great park to visit in the evening or night to see the lights at Christmas.
Location: Varvarka Street Household 6, Structure 1, Moscow, Russia, 109012
Timings: Always open
Highlights: Bask in breathtaking vistas of the Moscow River
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10 Reasons Why Russia Is The Ultimate Christmas Destination
Here are some reasons that make Russia the ultimate Christmas destination and how best you can experience Moscow Christmas markets.
- The Lit Christmas Markets
- Shopping At GUM
- Quirky Christmas Decorations
- Having Champagne For Breakfast Is A Christmas Tradition
- Experience Riding On The Bullet Train In Winter
- You’ll Go Bananas Over Russian Souvenirs!
- You’ll Love The Hospitality During Christmas
- Russia Is Even More Beautiful In Winters
- It’s The Best Time To Enjoy Hot Russian Meals
- Red Square Winter Festivities Should Not Be Missed
1. The Lit Christmas Markets
The Moscow Christmas Market 2024 will be an incredible spectacle and offer some of the most unbelievable personages. You should make sure your itinerary allows you to roam around the glam and glitzy markets in Moscow or anywhere else in Russia to learn about Russian Christmas traditions, see the gold-red-green decor, buy unique things, and gorge on freshly baked plum cakes and cookies.
2. Shopping At GUM
The Grand Mall (or GUM), located at Moscow’s Red Square, is an extravagantly decorated shopping arcade. You’ll be fascinated by the Christmas decor, which includes garlands, postcards, Christmas trees, candies, and more. But what will actually blow your mind are the awesome Christmas deals on international brands and merchandise sold here. It’s the best place to find authentic, high-quality products in Russia that are not overpriced.
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3. Quirky Christmas Decorations
You’ll love the unique and creative Christmas decorations all across Moscow. The prominent places and many small streets and cafes will be lined up with postcards as garlands, socks with candies, large Christmas trees, lights, and much more, all with a touch of Russian heritage and culture. You’ll be able to find something to click everywhere you turn your head. The best time to witness the awesome Christmas decor in Moscow will be nighttime when eye-warming lights will be twinkling everywhere.
4. Having Champagne For Breakfast Is A Christmas Tradition!
Totally bizarre. But it’s a thing in Russia, and the locals strongly follow the tradition. Imagine having toast and coffee in a cafe on Christmas Eve and suddenly being served a tall and shimmering glass of Champagne! This sweet surprise will surely make your day! Throughout the Christmas holidays in Russia, people are served champagne for breakfast every year without fail. Why are you still waiting?
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5. Experience Riding On The Bullet Train In Winter
There’s no better experience than riding the famous bullet train of Russia that will give you an instant adrenaline rush, and no better time to ride it than the winter season when it’s not choked with tourists. The Sapsan bullet train allows you to travel between the two biggest cities of Russia – Moscow and Saint Petersburg, which are the two best places to celebrate Christmas in Russia!
6. You’ll Go Bananas Over Russian Souvenirs!
Moscow Christmas is a treat for shopaholics across the world. People around the globe visit this city for the range of Christmas goodies, gifts, and souvenirs available here. Most of these are quirky Russian handicrafts that make excellent souvenirs for the festive season. You can grab things like Christmas balls painted with Russian stories, crystal snowflake ornaments and jewellery, crystal keychains, paper mache figurines of Santa Claus and Rudolph, pearl necklaces, babushka (Russian dolls), cute fragrance bottles, oddly shaped liquor bottles, and much more.
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7. You’ll Love The Hospitality During Christmas
Russian people are known to be very sweet and helpful. Still, when you’re there during Christmas, you’ll feel that their hospitality and generosity are amplified during the festive season. If you’re lucky, you might even get invited to a Russian afternoon tea experience by a generous local living near you! Don’t shy away from having a friendly conversation in cafes and markets. You never know; you may bag a discount on your meal or your Christmas shopping, respectively!
8. Russia Is Even More Beautiful In Winters
This is one of the most fabulous reasons for an avid traveller and nature lover to visit Moscow during Christmas. In December, the whole city, as well as the surrounding areas and hills, turn into a winter wonderland, making this place ten times more beautiful than it already is! And if you add sparkling lights, lit Christmas trees, and merrymaking to this pleasing white landscape, the stunning vision will simply blow your mind!
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9. It’s The Best Time To Enjoy Hot Russian Meals
Borscht is the best kind of food for surviving the Russian winter, and wintertime is the ideal season to try borscht in Moscow, Russia. Russian cuisine is nutritious and delicious. There won’t be a better time than the biting Russian winter to walk into a nice and cozy cafe and enjoy a steaming hot plate of Russian food like Borscht. And the best part is that you’ll get to taste various Christmas dishes like stuffed Turkey, roast beef, plum cakes, rolls, and the like.
10. Red Square Winter Festivities Should Not Be Missed!
The Red Square is the Rockefeller Center of Russia – brimming with the energy and festive spirit of Christmas in Moscow. At this point, stalls open early in the morning during Christmas time, and you can do anything here, from taking a stroll in the snow, watching street performances, having a cup of steaming coffee and cake, or buying Christmas trinkets and souvenirs like a babushka. It’s also a great place to buy Moscow Christmas lights to decorate your Christmas tree.
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Moscow is a truly great city, and millions of tourists visit it. A trip to Moscow during Christmas is an excellent option as many special events take place in the city during this time. Christmas in Moscow is usually a white Christmas as it snows during this time of the year. It is a little cold in Moscow during this time of the year,, but the truly special Christmas in Moscow makes it worth it for tourists visiting Moscow during Christmas.
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Frequently Asked Questions For Christmas In Moscow
What does Russia do for Christmas?
Russia celebrates Christmas with just as much enthusiasm as any European or American destination, only with a little Russian touch. You’ll find Christmas markets, decked up Christmas trees, people exchanging gifts and some even dressed up as Santa during this festive season in Russia.
Is December a good time to visit Russia?
December is a great time to visit Russia for those who want to witness Christmas in Russia and play in the snow.
How cold is Russia in December?
The average temperature in Moscow in December is 9°C. It ranges from a minimum of 4°C in the night time to a maximum of 13°C in the daytime.
Does it snow in Moscow in December?
Yes, you’ll be able to experience snowfall in Russia in December.
What is a traditional Russian Christmas dinner?
Russians enjoy the common Christmas dinners like roast beef, hot rolls, grilled vegetables, plum cakes, and wine. You may even find Borscht as an addition to a traditional Christmas feast in Russia.
What is there to do in Moscow in December?
There’s plenty to do in Moscow in December. You can play in the snow, shop at the Christmas markets, have coffee at the many decorated cafes, go ice skating, ride the bullet train, and explore the famous tourist attractions like the Kremlin.
What should I wear in Moscow in winter?
You should wear proper winter clothing in Moscow in winter since it tends to get really cold. Jackets, sweaters, scarves, hats, boots, gloves, and layers of woolens are an absolute must.
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Ekta believes that unless you are not riding on a wave you are not living at all. She is a foodie and loves binge-watching Game of Thrones. When she’s not living her dream you can find her in the kitchen cooking.
