New Year's Eve in Russia

Posted by Amanda Kendle Dec 9, 2006

If you're spending New Year's Eve in Moscow this year, it's probably an easy guess to imagine where the real "place to be" is - of course, it's Red Square. Apparently it's a relatively recent thing for Muscovites to celebrate outdoors like this (and I can understand why they've preferred in the past to leave off all the winter woollies and celebrate warmly at home!). But these days the celebrations for "Novy God" (New Year's Eve) are cheerful in Red Square, with crowds waiting to hear the Kremlin bells strike midnight. When the bells ring, the correct way to wish those around you a happy new year is to say "Snovum Godom".

In town or around the suburbs on this night, you might find people dressed up as Ded Moroz (Father Frost) and his granddaughter the Snow Maiden; so don't be surprised if you see some interesting-looking costumes.