Every year, Moscow is transformed before the New Year - the central squares are filled with New Year's paraphernalia, Christmas markets and other entertainment appear. This year, the annual Journey to Christmas festival will last from December 16 to January 19, 2017. We decided to walk through the main sites on the opening day and note the most interesting ones. We share our feedback without delay.
If earlier we looked with interest at photographs of European Christmas markets and dreamed of seeing it with our own eyes, now Muscovites and guests of the city do not need to go anywhere, because every year in Moscow there are many New Year's fairs, venues with giant New Year's decorations and installations, and how many winter activities! Winter 2017 was no exception, the Journey to Christmas festival, parks, shopping centers and skating rinks prepared so many surprises that choosing what to see in New Year's Moscow, where to take a walk, where to have a photo shoot, where to go with children is not easy. We selected the most interesting places and events of New Year's Moscow, went out into the street with a camera and prepared for you a guide to the New Year's center of the capital.
Perhaps the most anticipated New Year's surprises are these.
1. Designer Christmas trees: Kuznetsky Most street, property 6-3 (near the Bolshoi restaurant)
2. 3D Christmas tree decorations and magical animation on Pushkinskaya Square
3. Tverskoy Boulevard: light tunnel on
4. Hundred-meter ice slide: Revolution Square (transition to Manezhnaya Square)
5. Ice skating rink and Christmas market on Red Square
6. Magic Theater on Revolution Square: free ice shows
7. Fairs
8. Christmas tree-carousel, 160-meter light tunnel and starry sky at VDNH
The long-awaited illumination in Moscow was lit on Friday evening, December 16. We, having forgotten about the frost, set off on a journey through the center of Moscow. In order to spend the time most efficiently, we first drew up a route: we decided to start from the Teatralnaya metro station (from the Bolshoi Theater), then walk to the Central Department Store, walk along Stoleshnikov to the fair, which is located opposite the Moscow City Hall. From there we planned to walk to Pushkin Square. Well, it was decided to end our first New Year's walk on Revolution Square. Although it is best to start the journey with the latter - but first things first.
New Year's Bolshoi Theater
At about 19-30 we met near the Teatralnaya metro station and went to the big theater. The first thing we saw was a light composition similar to the crown from the Nutcracker play. Imagine our surprise that the Bolshoi Theater did not have any fair this year, but in previous years there was. Well, let's move on.
View from the Bolshoi Theater.
The Central Department Store (TSUM) shimmers like a precious diamond before the New Year.
As always, the TSUM windows are surprising - the fruit of the designers’ fevered imagination, but looking at them is very funny.
Fair on Kuznetsky Most
We quickly reached the first fair on our way - the fair on Kuznetsky Most. This year, the shape of the houses that housed the fair surprised me a little. Retail outlets are glass pavilions decorated with LEDs. Modern, but does not create a holiday feeling.
We went into one of these houses and bought mulled wine - the frost was seriously raging.
According to my companion, the most beautiful Christmas trees in Moscow are located near the Cartier store on Kuznetsky Most. I think I agree.
The Petrovsky Passage shopping complex is very beautifully decorated - we also dropped in there to warm up - silence, beauty, no one.
Next we went to Stoleshnikov Lane towards the City Hall. Almost all pedestrian streets are decorated in the same way - with the ubiquitous LED trees. It’s beautiful, but since they are in Moscow all year round, they didn’t cause us much surprise.
There were indeed such interesting compositions - a symbol of the holiday. Either a watch or a carriage.
Fair near the monument to Yuri Dolgoruky (Moscow City Hall)
A fair was set up near the City Hall, designed to be shown on television - everything was very beautiful, in a European way.
Along the perimeter of the square there are retail outlets where you can purchase Christmas goods from different countries Europe.
Next, we go out onto Tverskaya Street. The main feature of Tverskaya is the special design of the lighting poles - if you look closely, you can recognize glasses of champagne in these lights.
In short dashes we reached Pushkinskaya Square. It’s impossible to get lost here: near the monument to Pushkin there is a composition called the Musical Forest, and on Tersky Boulevard there is a light tunnel. What to do? We decided to look at everything in order and started with the fun, oh, musical forest.
Musical forest on Pushkinskaya Square
Every 10 minutes music sounds and this entire white composition is filled with different bright colors. The spectacle is very beautiful! In addition, you can penetrate into the very heart of this composition.
In the center there is a kind of fabulous white tree, decorated with balls and icicles. There are so many people that it is very difficult to even take a photo. Everyone wants to plunge into a fairy tale!
On Pushkinskaya Square there are also glass pavilions where they sell balls, Christmas trees and all sorts of New Year's rubbish.
Having pretty much frozen by this point, we decided to go to the famous self-service restaurant with the letter “M” on Pushkinskaya Square to warm up. I was a little surprised that at all these fairs there were practically no places to eat. And I really wanted to eat a hot sausage in the cold!
Light tunnel on Tverskoy Boulevard
The main attraction of Tverskoy Boulevard is, of course, the light tunnel, which this year was moved closer to the people, closer to the metro.
We walked right through the tunnel and expected to see fairground houses, but we saw only one, and in it... a guard lives. A little further along Tverskoy Boulevard we spotted an ice town, apparently intended for snowball fights.
The second part of Tverskoy Boulevard seemed somehow dark and uncomfortable to us - so we decided to turn around and finally head towards Okhotny Ryad and Manezhnaya Square.
On Tverskaya Street, in addition to the above-mentioned “glasses of champagne,” opposite Kamergersky Lane, one can note a chess composition, where the royal throne is located in the center.
We stayed here a little to admire Kamergersky Lane.
Okhotny Ryad is ready for the New Year
The end of the evening - and we are just approaching the “Heart” of the Christmas festivities. On Okhotny Ryad we see a New Year's carousel and numerous glass box stalls. By 10 o'clock they were all already closed.
Traditional carousel.
Large postcards based on Soviet motifs.
Opposite the Historical Museum is an unusual ice town.
After visiting the fair on Okhotny Ryad, we head to Revolution Square.
Revolution Square before Christmas
The Ice Theater is located not far from the metro. He looks quite impressive and beautiful from all sides. To get to the show here, you need to carefully study the program. I even wondered how it would accommodate everyone? Ice ballet starts at 19-00.
To adequately complete our visit to the first day of the festival, we decided to look at Nikolskaya Street. Nikolskaya is decorated in the same way as last year - with Italian LED arches.
This is how our almost four-hour walk around New Year's Moscow flew by unnoticed.
So, the most interesting platforms in my opinion are:
1. Ice theater on Revolution Square
2. Ice slide on Revolution Square
3. Musical forest on Pushkinskaya Square
4. Light tunnel on Tverskoy Boulevard
In general, when walking around Moscow before the New Year, you get a strong feeling that you have already seen all this last year. Glass pavilion houses are probably more comfortable for sellers, but they do not create a New Year's mood.
Traditional light tunnel on Tverskoy Boulevard. This year it was located at the very beginning of the boulevard, next to the metro. It is so long that you can’t even see the end of it! There's plenty of room for photos for everyone. #Tverskoy Boulevard #travelChristmas #Christmaslight #MoscowNewyear #newyear2017 #newyear2017 #earlyyear #merrychristmas #travelofRussia
Posted by Nina and Natasha, travelers (@shagauru) Dec 17, 2016 at 2:11 PST
Addresses of Christmas markets in the center:
1. European Christmas market on Tverskaya Square
2. Manezhnaya Square, possession 1
3. Pushkinskaya Square5. Novopushkinsky Square - gingerbread, pastries, kurabye
6. Sweet Christmas trees and mulled wine: Arbat Street, building 19
7. Decor items self made on Kutuzovsky Prospekt
8. Tea and coffee traditions on Stoleshnikov Lane
9. New Year's toys and masks at Christmas
10. New Year's book fair "Book-Market" on Novy Arbat
11. Square in front of Sokolniki Park
12. There will be a Sweet Fair on Leningradsky Prospekt, 62
13. Fair near the Raikin Plaza shopping center on Sheremetyevskaya street
14. VDNHAll this is my subjective opinion, but otherwise everything is fine, happy upcoming everyone!
The next post will be about the festival sites on Novy Arbat.
Red Square on New Year 2017 welcomes everyone who this time decided not to spend time sitting in front of the TV, but to have fun in a big company at the main Christmas tree of the country. Every year, event organizers try to create a friendly atmosphere of celebration and do not forget about the comfort of all guests of Red Square.
As they say: “How you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it,” so New Year's Eve you need to meet it brightly, warmly and cheerfully, and Red Square is the place where you can do this. Let's take a closer look at the action plan for 2017.
Holiday surroundings on Red Square
New Year on Red Square in 2017 is, first of all, the main Christmas tree of the country. No other forest beauty can compare with her in grandeur and grace. Decorating the Christmas tree on Red Square usually takes several weeks.
The traditional New Year's fireworks display in the center of Moscow is another reason to go to Red Square on New Year's Eve. The duration of the fireworks is from 10-15 minutes. Make a wish during the chiming clock, and it will definitely come true.
The atmosphere of fun and happiness will not leave you all night, you definitely won’t be bored. The organizers are preparing a lot of events and entertainment for guests. In addition, Red Square itself at this time in Moscow resembles a fairy tale. The buildings of TSUM, GUM and the Kremlin are decorated like magical palaces; countless lights, garlands and lanterns illuminate the main night of the year.
Ice skating rink on Red Square
The skating rink on Red Square was open all night in 2016, and it will also welcome guests in 2017. This is not the largest skating rink in Moscow, but it is the most fabulous. It can't hold more than 500 people, but you're unlikely to spend the entire night skating.
Father Frost and Snow Maiden
What is New Year without Father Frost and Snow Maiden? In addition to them, guests in the center of the capital will be greeted by many other famous characters, among them:
- The Wolf and the Hare from "Well, Wait";
- characters from the cartoon "Fixies";
- Baba Yaga and Koschey the Immortal;
- characters from the cartoons “Madagascar” and “Ice Age”, and many others.
Laser show
In 2017, the organizers are preparing a Laser show lasting 30-40 minutes for all guests of Red Square. The performance will tell New Year's tale, which will delight both the youngest viewers and adult parents.
What else awaits guests on Red Square?
The organizers always special attention are given musical accompaniment to the New Year's fun. As last year, the following events are planned for guests:
- performances by stars (every year the organizers keep secret who will entertain the guests this time on New Year's Eve. We won't reveal all the cards, let it be a surprise);
- a huge number of competitions and prizes. It is impossible to list them all, we will only note that kids will be able to exchange a New Year's poem or song for candies and sweets, and adults will compete in a sack race or tug of war;
- fairs. On New Year's Eve, there will be fairs on Red Square where you can buy gifts for the whole family, sweets, Santa Claus New Year's hats, sparklers and much more.
Tips for those who decided to celebrate New Year 2017 on Red Square
Every year, the organizers set the celebration time at 22.00; it is at this time that concerts and many other events begin. If you want to be closer to the stage or the Spasskaya Tower, we recommend that you arrive at the square in advance, because there are usually many people wanting to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the center of Moscow. In addition, you can get into a crush on the subway.
If you have a personal car, go to the holiday in it. You can park within one or two kilometers from Red Square and stroll along the streets of Moscow decorated with garlands.
A few more tips:
- Dress according to the weather. Remember that you will be spending more than one hour in the cold. Take special care of children's clothing;
- Do not attempt to bring alcohol, cigarettes or any type of fireworks with you. Metal detectors at the entrance will detect this on you, and you will only delay the general queue, which will already be quite large;
- Take a thermos with you and something to snack in case your access to the fair is blocked. There can be a lot of people there, and children don't like to wait;
- When going on a holiday with the whole family, make sure that everyone has mobile phones. If you get lost, you can quickly find each other.
The thought of with whom and how to celebrate the New Year 2016 visits the heads of millions of people every day. Clearly, one of the most pressing of these questions is where exactly to meet him. In the meantime, this fun, unifying celebration is just around the corner, and it's time to think about everyone possible options. It's no secret that every person sincerely wishes more magical and incredible life adventures for themselves and their loved ones next year. But first, you need to celebrate the long-awaited night in such a way that you periodically remember it with a smile.
So, if you rejected the option of a bowl of Olivier and watching concerts on the box, abandoned the party with a morning hangover and did not have time to buy a pretentious suit for the restaurant. And if you have settled on the desire to see a magnificent, enchanting show from the inside, and dream of experiencing the scale of this event, especially if you were not able to get there last year, here’s some advice for you - cast aside your doubts, on foot or by plane, be sure to visit the heart of our country on New Year’s Eve - Red Square, at the New Year 2016 celebration.
Celebrating the holiday on the square is an event that will remain in the memory of you and your loved ones with whom you will share the celebration of this night. Come with your family and children, the festive fireworks will stun you all, amaze your imagination, and leave a vivid impression on your children for life. In addition, this place is considered one of the most romantic for lovers, this night has seen many confessions and proposals, and the atmosphere of this event will give a special taste to lovers of romance.
In a circle of friends, under the chimes of the Spasskaya Tower, making a wish together with several thousand people is unforgettable; you will feel the power of positive energy and emotions of the people standing next to you. If you come alone, then on the night of January 1 you will meet new people who may change your life and add unique shades. Do not forget that “how you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it.” Therefore, do not miss the chance to make your evening special and start the 2016 New Year in the center of Moscow, on Red Square, on a positive wave that will carry you throughout the days.Admission is free.
GUM Skating Rink on Red Square
The skating rink on Red Square in 2015-2016, depending on weather conditions, will begin operating at the end of November and close at the beginning of March. The skating rink is open for lovers of active and fun pastime daily from 10 am. There are both paid and free hours for riding. You can find out more detailed information about opening hours and happy hours on the official website. 
Especially for those who love comfort, but also do not want to miss the opportunity to be in the epicenter of mass festivities, every year the GUM Skating Rink opens its doors to everyone on New Year's Eve. Everyone who has ever celebrated the New Year at the skating rink is unanimous in their enthusiastic reviews. If you have a desire to celebrate the New Year 2016 at the skating rink on Red Square, do not put off buying a ticket, since there are many people who want it and you should take care of purchasing it in advance.
For the lucky ones with tickets, GUM organizes a separate entrance. You will find romantic skating to the music, a warm locker room, many cafes for every taste, all kinds of competitions, gifts and, most importantly, a festive atmosphere.
A ticket for New Year's Eve 2016 at the skating rink will cost 2,016 rubles per session. The session lasts from 22:00 to 01:30.
Every person dreams of something and hopes that his dream will come true. Thanks to dreams, his life and himself improve. The New Year begins to unite everyone's dreams and make them into a single whole. Isn't this magic? The fact that everyone becomes peaceful, helps, supports not only loved ones, but also complete strangers? On this holiday, people want to celebrate the New Year in Moscow in society, rejoice and have fun with everyone. While the streets are decorated Christmas trees, lanterns, garlands and Snow Maidens. Holidays and fun are coming to the city, so it can be difficult to be at home near the TV. I want to get some new sensations.
Walking through the city at night can make us feel a surge of positive emotions. All people are positive at this time and this causes a positive charge to accumulate in the air. Everyone needs it for good mood. And without it it’s better not to even show up at family holiday. It’s better to go outside first because New Year 2016 is coming in Moscow.
Holiday at the skating rink
Many families will go to meet the monkey at the skating rink in GUM. It will be open to the public until spring. There you can learn to skate and skate. The doors are open to everyone who knows how or wants to feel like a figure skater, so amateurs and professionals gather here. There are times when visiting is free.
If you immediately prepare yourself a ticket to celebrate the New Year at the skating rink, you will be able to get various benefits such as a warm locker room, gifts, and participation in competitions. There will also be various cafes open here, while your children learn to skate, you can sit there and watch the New Year’s program.
Since ancient times, large city squares have been built in order to hold folk festivals with festivities, so residents of the entire city can meet on New Year 2016 on Red Square. Both residents and guests of the metropolis can come here.
What awaits guests of the metropolis
Using a special bus tour, train, car, guests of the capital can come to the capital's festive event. Even today it is decorated with many Christmas trees, lanterns, garlands, and lights. Guests can attend specially organized light and pyrotechnic shows held on a huge scale.
By ten o'clock you can come to the square to view entertainment programs and participation in competitions. And the day before you can get to the ones that will continue after the new year. This will help inspire and improve your mood. After the long-awaited twelve o'clock, bright and beautiful fireworks will begin. At the end of the holiday, a cultural entertainment program will be held. All this will have a beneficial effect on everyone and fill people with a positive attitude.
According to surveys, it was revealed that celebrating the New Year 2016 on Red Square has a positive impact on everyone. You can get a lot of positive things from the capital’s Christmas tree alone. After all, experienced decorative designers took part in its design. They used the latest European trends for lighting and decorating the Christmas tree. Being next to her on a holiday is just a pleasure.
Preparing for a New Year's walk along Moscow Square
Muscovites should take into account basic things. You should not go to the square in light clothing. You need to dress in warm clothes, don’t ignore a hat and scarf. You don't have to wear them during the day, but if you decide to go to the square, then change your rules. Taking hot drinks with you in a thermos, firecrackers and sparklers will help keep you warm outside. Use these things to lift your spirits. At least once a year, allow yourself to be naughty. And this informal party will not be forgotten by your friends and family who will be next to you. This option is suitable for those who want to celebrate the New Year outside their country, when this is not possible due to confusion with documents. Positive emotions will be received from celebrating this holiday with the people.
The atmosphere becomes romantic as the clock begins to strike. This makes people nervous. Everyone tries to quickly make their wish before the fight stops. These indescribable sensations make you feel dizzy and the ground disappears from under your feet. You need to control yourself at this moment and not give in to weakness.
After all, a lot of people gather in the square. Among them you can see not only Muscovites, but also visitors. In the winter months, the cold winter wind will easily reach your skin if it is not well protected with warm clothing, especially since you will have to spend more than one hour here. However, it is prohibited to bring alcoholic beverages here. And you won’t be able to keep warm with it. Before you go to folk celebration gather a lot of information about it.
How to prepare clothes for a street celebration
This walk requires you to wear warm clothes, because it won’t be warm... Wearing thin, light things will not bring you joy at any holiday. Get rid of the thought of dressing in ball gown. You will not be in the theater, but on the street. Don't forget about it! What are you wearing underneath? outerwear will be difficult to see, especially since you will be surrounded by a crowd. Put on a warm fur or down jacket on top, wrap yourself with a scarf, then no frost will get to you. Use gloves to protect your fingers, otherwise you won't be able to light sparklers. Don't go fancy in this place. Styles cannot be shown here. People can accidentally ruin an expensive sheepskin coat or fur coat. Don't take risks and wear a jacket to the party.
The celebration begins
If you are planning to celebrate New Year 2016 in Moscow on the square, then you need to know what time to appear at the celebration. Otherwise, you will not see interesting entertainment programs. You need to show up here as early as possible, but in order not to freeze, come by 9 o’clock, before the best places are occupied and a crowd has not formed. Metro stations located near the square will be closed, so you need to take this into account if you are traveling by metro.
We're having a New Year's picnic
To celebrate the New Year, a laid table is required. What can we do, since we won’t be able to take him with us to the square? This can be solved by preparing some sandwiches and fruit in a package. It is not recommended to take alcohol with you, but natural juices will be just right. But you should avoid drinks in glass bottles. The brave souls, of course, still manage to somehow carry at least a bottle of beer with them. But we do not recommend doing this. There is no need to stock up on salads. You will eat them at home with your loved ones at the table, where there will be many delicious dishes. And on the street you just need to have fun, enjoy the general fun and communication. It is not recommended to spend a lot of time outside in winter.
Those wishing to go out with alcoholic beverages should not take children with them. The situation should be taken into account. After all, there will be crowds of people here, and children need to be carefully watched. Children will have a good time at the skating rink. There they will be able to meet their peers and get a lot of impressions from it. And at this time you can sit in a cafe.
Fireworks and clock striking
Those who will not be able to get to the main Christmas tree will remain on Teatralnaya. They should not despair, because from here they will be able to see and hear everything. There will also be a lot of people here who want to get positive mood and New Year's energy.
A familiar campaign will help you have fun by telling New Year's jokes. Although you can walk alone during the holiday. There will be enough sights to keep you from getting bored.
Choose such a non-standard way to celebrate the holiday. Spend New Year 2016 on Red Square to forget all the troubles that were present in your family last year. The world will open up to everyone with new colors and new thoughts.
Many loving couples meet at this place. It heard their confessions and was imbued with this positive feeling - love. Maybe you should come here with your loved one, then all the quarrels will be forgotten, and he will come new love, which you may not remember for a long time. This is a holiday of fun, dancing, songs, toasts. How many good wishes sounds on this day. How much kindness comes into the world with this holiday. You can give it a new name. Let's call it a holiday of kindness, peace and love. Let's greet him cheerfully with all the people. The meeting place is Red Square, then no conflicts will appear in the new year.
