Russian Traditions, Holidays, and Festivals

The majority of Russians celebrate New Year's Day with the rest of the world on January 1st. But an older New Year's Day tradition sets the start of the year on January 14th.

Russia's New Year celebrations include the lighting of the New Year's tree and a visit from Ded Moroz (or Grandfather Frost), the Russian version of Santa Claus. Traditionally shown as a tall and slender older gentleman, Ded Moroz, dressed in embroidered garb, cuts an elegant figure on Christmas cards wishing the receiver a happy New Year.

What those in the West would call a Christmas Tree is considered a New Year's Tree in Russia, and because the first Russian New Year precedes Christmas in Russia (which takes place on January 7), this tree is left up in honor of both holidays.

Christmas in Russia occurs in January, according to the Russian Orthodox calendar. Eclipsed by New Year's celebrations, Russian Christmas is somewhat less important than it is in other Eastern European nations. Christmas is a time for visiting family, attending church services, and enjoying a Christmas feast. Gifts are actually given to children on New Year's. 

During much of the 20th century as a Communist, atheist country, Russians were not able to publicly celebrate Christmas so the practice faded into the background. 

However, now Russians are returning to religion, primarily Russian Orthodoxy, and the number of people celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday continues to grow.

Sviatki, or Svyatki, falls between January 7th (Orthodox Christmas) and January 19th (Epiphany). Christmastide is a special time for Christians. In Russia, where Christianity was suppressed, the old traditions like fortune telling, which pre-dated the adoption of Christian beliefs in Russia, are part of a time for remembering old traditions. Caroling is common with songs often sung by costumed singers. 

The most devout Russians end this religious period on Epiphany by taking a dip in the icy water of a river or stream, said to be bestowed with magical powers and symbolizing of the baptism of Jesus.

Maslenitsa is Russia's festive pre-Lenten time. Children play games, mothers and grandmothers cook up big stacks of pancakes, and cities hold festivals during which the effigy of "Lady Maslenitsa" is burned in order to welcome springtime weather and the return of the sun.

Maslenitsa week began as a pagan sun ritual and has since been absorbed into the Eastern Orthodox religion. Maslenitsa serves many purposes. Maslenitsa signals the exit of winter and heralds the coming of spring.  As a part of pre-Lenten celebrations, it is also like Mardi-gras, a time for feasting and having fun. 

Orthodox Russians celebrate Easter according to the Eastern calendar and it can occur in April or May. Russians celebrate Easter with decorated eggs, special foods, and customs like thoroughly cleaning one's home before Easter. The Easter church service begins the night before Easter with candles lighting the church until dawn breaks and bells announce the arrival of Easter.

Easter eggs and Easter foods are an important part of Russian Easter customs. During pre-Christian times eggs were looked upon as fertility symbols. After the adoption of Christianity, they were seen as a symbol of renewal. 

Victory day, May 9th, remembers service members and Russia's participation in WWII. This day is typically marked with parades, with the military parade on Red Square the largest and best known.

It's a holiday with a day off from work so many people attend a military parade and watch the fireworks at night on Victory Day. Veterans wear their medals as they go to the parade or an event organized by a local veterans organization.

Another tradition is to give flowers, usually red carnations, to veterans on the street and to lay wreaths at war memorial sites. 

Winter in Russia is long and hard, but Russians know how to inject fun into even sub-zero weather. The Russian Winter Festival begins in December and continues into January. The winter festival isn't limited to Moscow, although it is Russia's largest, as cities across Russia combat the darkness of winter by hosting winter-festival-related events.

The Winter Festival encompasses Russian Christmas, New Year, and Svyatki. There is so much going on that its an ideal time to visit Moscow or one of the larger Russian cities. In Moscow, events at Izmailovo Park and the more central Revolution Square feature performances of traditional Russian song and dance, games, crafts, food, and more. 

Some Russian traditions can be experienced year-round. Russian Name Days have a Christian origin and are a part of Russian Culture. When a person is named after a saint, he or has the opportunity to celebrate the day appointed for the saint in addition to a birthday. The name day is also called the “angel day.”

In many countries, the name day tradition has faded in importance and the person's birthday is seen as the main day to celebrate. In countries such as Hungary, however, name days may continue to be as important as birthdays.

June is the traditional month that weddings are held in Russia. Brides seek out the fanciest dress their budget can afford while Russian grooms arrange for an appointment at a civil office where the ceremony and marriage registration takes place. Same-sex marriages are not performed.

Friends and family members toss flower petals, coins, and sometimes release butterflies to wish the couple good luck.

Before they leave, it’s traditional for the groom to sweep the bride up in his arms and kiss her in front of all assembled.