Moscow is opening its festive doors to travellers from India with the return of its much-loved “Journey to Christmas” festival, running from 12 December 2025 to 11 January 2026. Part of the larger “Winter in Moscow” project, the month-long celebration transforms Russia’s capital into a grand winter stage filled with lights, traditions, fairy tales, and seasonal cheer.

For an entire month, Moscow’s streets, squares, and boulevards come alive with sparkling decorations, festive markets, cultural performances, and the comforting aromas of holiday food. Indian travellers, who are increasingly exploring Moscow for its snow-filled winters and rich heritage, will find the festival an immersive way to experience the city’s authentic Christmas and New Year celebrations.

At Manezhnaya Square, visitors can step into the “City of Christmas Tree Ornaments”, a nostalgic market inspired by early 20th-century cotton toys. The space features classic Russian New Year characters like Ded Moroz and Snegurochka, along with vintage fairy-tale figures, mini performances, and traditional Soviet-era festive dishes. The setting feels like a walk through an old holiday storybook, perfect for photographs and family-friendly experiences.

Tverskaya Square showcases decorations inspired by Moscow’s most iconic landmarks. At its heart stands an eight-metre Christmas tree, handcrafted by local artisans and adorned with oversized hand-painted ornaments and glowing golden icicles. Miniature silhouettes of the Bolshoi Theatre, VDNH pavilions, and Kremlin towers turn the installation into a living tribute to the city’s architectural heritage.

One of the festival’s biggest highlights is the 22-metre natural fir tree at Manezhnaya Square — the city’s second-tallest after the Kremlin tree. Decorated with over 10,000 ornaments and five kilometres of lights, the tree celebrates traditional Russian festive art. Hand-painted decorations, silk pennants, silver and gold icicles, and classic cotton figurines give it a warm, nostalgic charm that appeals to visitors of all ages.

The festival offers a packed calendar of activities for children and adults alike. Young guests can enjoy hands-on workshops such as ornament making, candle crafting, glass painting, and New Year cooking studios. Visitors can also enjoy theatrical performances based on Russian fairy tales, sports zones, curling schools, and over 170 festive ice shows, including classics like Swan Lake, Snow White, and The Twelve Months.

Adding an interactive touch is the “Journey for the Dream Gift” quest, where visitors collect stamps from different festival zones and exchange them for prizes, learning about traditions from across Russia along the way.

Food lovers will find plenty to enjoy, with festive markets across the city offering traditional Russian dishes, fresh pastries, aromatic teas, signature winter drinks, and special grill menus. Tverskoy Boulevard and areas near TSUM will also host exhibitions of designer Christmas trees and artisanal gift stalls selling ceramics, handmade souvenirs, and seasonal treats. The charitable initiative “The Kind Christmas Tree” invites visitors to help fulfil holiday wishes by scanning QR codes placed on festive trees.

As the centrepiece of the “Winter in Moscow” celebrations, Journey to Christmas brings together tradition, culture, entertainment, and warm hospitality. For Indian travellers looking for a true winter holiday — complete with snow, festive markets, cultural performances, and family-friendly fun Moscow’s Christmas festival promises a memorable and magical seasonal escape.