Sergei Kiselev/Moskva Agency Every New Year, Moscow authorities try to outdo the previous festive season, turning the city into a fairy-tale extravaganza. Multicolored lights, sparkling garlands, huge New Year trees and festive pavilions are set up all over Moscow.
In their everyday life, Muscovites seldom go to the Red Square or the city center just to take a walk. Usually, they just go about their business, only occasionally noticing how beautiful their city is. But during the New Year holiday season, irrespective of the weather, tourists (who are not numerous this year) and locals alike spend hours wandering around a completely transformed city.
Alexei Filippov/Sputnik
The embankments of the Moskva River have been decorated with champagne flutes. So, even being stuck in a New Year traffic jam is (a bit) more fun!
Vitaly Belousov/Sputnik
A whole forest of elegant Christmas trees has also appeared at the entrance to the Gorky Park.
Moskva Agency
As well as a fairy tale installation.
Sergei Vedyashkin/Moskva Agency
And sparkling trees have “grown” all over the city center.
Moskva Agency
The boulevards have been decorated with a variety of arches and suspended illumination. Tverskoy Boulevard has been turned into an LED tunnel.
Moskva Agency
All around the city, huge ‘2022’ signs have been put up, with the zero used as a perfect spot for posing for pictures.
Sergei Kiselev/Moskva Agency
Squares and parks all over Moscow have been turned into venues for the ‘Journey into Christmas’ festival.
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They house beautifully decorated Christmas trees, skating rinks, free carousels and souvenir shops selling warm mittens and traditional Russian crafts.
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There are plenty of Instagram-worthy material and selfie spots here.
Denis Grishkin/Moskva Agency
Here you can feel like a character in The Nutcracker, which – thanks to the composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet – has become the main fairy tale associated with the New Year festive season. Also, you can meet Father Frost, the Russian equivalent of Santa Claus.
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The Christmas tree on Manezhnaya Square covers passers-by with its 10-meter-radius garland – can you imagine how many gifts can fit under its branches?
Alexei Filippov/Moskva Agency
The square in front of the Bolshoi Theater has been decorated – as in previous years – with a huge Christmas bauble.
Maxim Blinov/Sputnik
While the TsUM department store has been turned into a gigantic Christmas gift tied with a ribbon.
Denis Grishkin/Moskva Agency
Traditionally, the most richly decorated New Year bazaar takes place on the Red Square.
Andrei Nikerichev/Moskva Agency
There is a skating rink, as well as dozens of kiosks selling traditional souvenirs, mulled wine, Russian street food, pies and ginger breads.
Andrei Nikerichev/Moskva Agency
The place is particularly fun for children, but grown-ups will not be bored either.
Andrei Nikerichev/Moskva Agency
Indeed, when else can one have a ride on a carousel next to the Kremlin if not on New Year’s Eve?
Andrei Nikerichev/Moskva Agency
In other words, the Red Square New Year bazaar is a must!
Andrei Nikerichev/Moskva Agency
The GUM department store is famous for its New Year decorations, too, so, this year, it greets its visitors with this breathtaking sight.
Ekaterina Chesnokova/Moskva Agency
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