Asia Russia Moscow Moscow Guide Things To Do Essentials All Moscow Things to Do in Moscow During the Winter Moscow Winter Festivals and Activities By Kerry Kubilius Kerry Kubilius Kerry Kubilius is a freelance writer who specializes in Eastern European history, culture, current events, language, and travel. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/23/19 Share Pin Email Elena Liseykina / Getty Images Travel to Moscow during winter is a unique experience—you won't lack for things to do and see. Russians are experts at making the Moscow winter season fun and festive, so whether you are outdoors braving the chilly temperatures or indoors and safe from the cold, there are a variety of activities to keep you busy during this time. In winter, Moscow is home to exciting winter festivals and incredible ice sculptures, not to mention plenty of opportunities for skating and cross-country skiing. 01 of 08 Ice Skating in Moscow Ken Scicluna/AWL Images/Getty Images Ice skating rinks are plentiful in Moscow during winter. In the heart of historic Moscow, there is an ice rink in front of the GUM department store in Red Square every year. In fact, there are more than 45 ice rinks in Moscow. Other popular ice skating rinks can be found at Gorky Park, Sokolniki Park, Izmailovsky Park, and Patriarch's Pond. Gorky Park usually features the largest artificial ice rink. It is so large that it is estimated that it can take 10 to 15 minutes on average to skate around the rink just once (this might be as long as you can bear to stay outside in the Moscow winter!). 02 of 08 Icebreaker Cruise on the Moscow River Sergey Kucherov / Getty Images Boat cruises down the Moscow River offer a special view of Moscow, winter time or otherwise. Previously only available during the warm seasons, you can take an icebreaker boat cruise that can break up the ice that crusts over the river during the winter. You can enjoy dinner or lunch during this 2-hour cruise while viewing the snow-capped sights of Moscow from within the glass-enclosed deck. 03 of 08 Ice Sculpture in Moscow CC0 Creative Commons/Pixabay Ice sculptors show off their skills in the Moscow winter. One popular example is scaled-down models of various parts of Russian cities made of ice. Ice sculpting competitions are organized on an annual basis at various venues, including Sokolniki Park and Park Pobedy, and feature various themes. If you are traveling with the kids, check out the snow art school in Perovsky Park where they teach children how to build sculptures from snow and ice using special techniques. 04 of 08 Snowman Parades Elena Levchenko / EyeEm / Getty Images The snow is so plentiful in Moscow during winter that it is possible to create legions of snowmen within a small area. Look for snowman parades on Arbat Street and elsewhere in Moscow. Keep on the lookout for snowman-building competitions, which are likely after a heavy snowfall. In winter, Moscow can become surprisingly competitive! Continue to 5 of 8 below. 05 of 08 Painting on Snow Competition Speaking of Moscow winter competitions, an annual one called "Art on Snow" takes place in Moscow's Sokolniki Park. Dozens of families participate in creating temporary masterpieces on the smooth white canvas nature provides during winter. 06 of 08 Moscow Winter Festivals Yevgen Timashov / Getty Images Russians love to celebrate the winter weather and the holidays. Moscow's Russian Winter Festival coincides with other winter festivals across Russia, but due to its popularity and the city's resources, the Moscow version of the Russian Winter Festival is a huge event, running from mid-December to mid-January. Other popular winter festivals include Moscow's December Nights, New Year's Eve festivities in Red Square, and finally Maslenitsa, which heralds the end of winter and coincides with the start of the Lenten season. Even if you've never thought to visit the city during winter, Moscow is beckoning. 07 of 08 New Year's Trees CC0 Creative Commons/Pixabay Russians mark the holidays with New Year's trees rather than Christmas trees, but these trees usually stay up until the Russian Christmas is celebrated on January 7. Inevitably, trees will be erected at significant spots in the city, like Red Square and the Kremlin's Cathedral Square. These trees offer travelers Moscow winter photo opportunities by day and by night when they glow with their trimmings of lights. 08 of 08 Winter Sporting Fun Svetlov Artem/Wikimedia Commons In addition to ice skating, more than 40 parks throughout Moscow offer dozens of ski tracks and walking paths. Ski tracks are largely illuminated and have heated locker rooms and rental points. Also, visitors to a majority of those parks can enjoy tubing and ice slides. Through Moscow, winter gear including skates, skis, sleds, tubes, and snowboards, are available on-site. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit