New year in russia

How to Celebrate New Year in Russia

There’s no grander holiday in Russia than New Year’s! Beloved by both children and adults of all ages this holiday is observed throughout the country with a lot of enthusiasm and joy. Even though the observance of New Year’s Day in Russia is somewhat similar to the celebration of Christmas in Western cultures it has its own unique customs and traditions.

Christmas Tree

A typical Russian family will decorate their house and set up a beautiful Christmas tree (“Novogodnaya Yolka”) not for Christmas like in so many other countries, but for the New Year’s celebration. A Christmas tree is usually decorated around December, 28 and will last at least until January, 13 (Old-New Year in the Russian calendar). Just like anywhere else it’s under the Christmas tree where children find their New Year’s gifts brought by Father Frost (“Ded Moroz”) and his granddaughter “Snegurochka”.

Russian herring salad
 

New Year’s Dinner

New Year in Russia is a family holiday. But if you get invited into a Russian home, you’re in for an amazing night! At around 10-11pm on New Year’s Eve, the whole family gathers together at a big table to give a farewell to the old year and welcome the coming one. The New Year’s festive table is overflowing with numerous delicious dishes and delicacies traditionally served during the holidays. It is a symbol of happiness and abundance for the upcoming year. Olivier salad (meat salad), caviar, Holodets (jelled minced meat), Pelmeni (meat dumplings), Herring salad, Vinaigrette (beets salad), and of course famous Soviet Champagne (“Sovetskoye Shampanskoye”) are the essential part of New Year’s celebration in Russia.

New Year
 

Kremlin Chimes

Before the stroke of midnight, Russian families turn their TVs on to listen to the President who addresses the nation with a short speech in which he reflects on the past year and thanks everyone for their support. Right after the speech, the Kremlin chimes start counting down the last ten seconds of the year. When the midnight bell rings twelve people break open the champagne bottles, raise toasts, and wish each other ‘Happy New Year!’ (“S novym Godom”). People believe that every wish that is made while chimes are striking will come true.

Fireworks

New Year’s Gifts & Fireworks

Right after midnight children and grown-ups rush outside to enjoy colorful fireworks, a big part of New Year’s Day in Russian. Beautiful fireworks are followed by exchanging of New Year Gifts. If children are already asleep they will find their sweet gifts and wrapped presents the next morning under the Christmas tree.

Santa Claus vs. Father Frost and Snow Maiden

Instead of Santa, Russian children believe in the no less mythical Father Frost who wears a long blue or red fur coat, a matching hat, and carries gifts in a large bag on his back. Unlike Santa, Father Frost drives three horses and has a magic staff that has the power to freeze everything around him. His granddaughter, the Snow Maiden (“Snegurochka”) wearing a blue coat with either a blue hat or a crown usually accompanies him and helps distributing gifts between children.

To learn more about holidays in Russia please visit www.RussianFlora.com

New Year in Russia

New Year in Russia is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the Gregorian Calendar, and it’s often more important than Christmas.

The most popular symbol of this holiday is a New Year’s Tree called Novogodnaya Yolka which is topped with a bright red star and decorated with various sweets. The most popularly celebrated New Year tradition is the arrival of Ded Moroz (Father Frost, Santa Claus) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (the snowgirl). They bring New Year presents for the good children and hide them under the pine tree. To acquire gifts, children must sing a song or recite a poem.

New Year’s verve can be seen by the family get-together, use of fireworks, delicious meals, etc. The most important part of the New Year activities is the sumptuous dinner with light music and champagne. The major meals include Olive salad with meat, potatoes, pickles, green peas, onion, carrots, and mayonnaise.

Russians also follow the tradition of listening to the New Year Speech from the President at 12 a.m. on 1 January. After that everybody says ‘S novym Godom!’ (Happy New Year), clink glasses with champagne, make a wish within the first few moments of the New Year, and give each other presents.

There are some other fascinating traditions followed at the time of New Year and the famous one is the tradition of fortune-telling. Many people especially women and unmarried girls are excited to know about their future indulge in this activity.

Read about Christmas in Russia in the next issue.

For New Year Gift Ideas visit our website.

Scroll to Top