New Year — 1 January. This holiday began in Russia in the time of Tsar Peter the Great. It is the most popular holiday. People decorate a New Year tree, eat праздничный dinner, give gifts, and watch fireworks at midnight., Orthodox Christmas — 7 January. Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The holiday follows the old church calendar. People go to church, have family meals, and some sing Christmas songs., Old New Year — 14 January. This holiday comes from the old Julian calendar. It is not an official public holiday, but many people still like it. Families have a small party, meet friends, and enjoy festive food., Epiphany — 19 January. This Orthodox holiday remembers the baptism of Jesus. The tradition is very old. People go to church, take holy water, and some swim in icy water holes., Defender of the Fatherland Day — 23 February. It started as a military holiday in Soviet times. Today it honors soldiers and many men in general. People give small gifts and have school or work celebrations., Maslenitsa — February or March, one week before Great Lent. This holiday has old Slavic roots and also connects with the Christian calendar. People make pancakes, visit friends, play outdoor games, and burn a straw doll to say goodbye to winter., International Women’s Day — 8 March. This holiday began as a day for women’s rights in the early 20th century. In Russia it became a very popular spring holiday. People give flowers, chocolates, and kind words to women and girls., Spring and Labor Day — 1 May. This holiday began as a workers’ holiday. In Russia it was very important in Soviet times. People rest, go to parks or dachas, and sometimes join marches or festivals., Orthodox Easter — different date in spring. This is the most important Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. People color eggs, bake kulich and paskha, go to church, and greet each other with special words., Victory Day — 9 May. This holiday honors the Soviet victory in World War II in 1945. It is one of the most important days in Russia. People watch military parades, bring flowers to war memorials, and remember veterans., Russia Day — 12 June. This holiday marks the declaration of Russian state sovereignty in 1990. It is a modern national holiday. People attend concerts, watch fireworks, and enjoy public events., Day of Family, Love and Fidelity — 8 July. This holiday is connected with Saints Peter and Fevronia, symbols of faithful marriage. It is a newer Russian holiday. Families spend time together, and people give daisies, the symbol of the day., Navy Day — last Sunday of July. This holiday honors the Russian Navy. It has military traditions from imperial and Soviet times. People watch naval parades, concerts, and celebrations in port cities., Airborne Forces Day — 2 August. This holiday honors Russian paratroopers. It started in the Soviet period. Veterans meet friends, wear blue berets, and celebrate in city parks., Knowledge Day — 1 September. This holiday marks the start of the school year. It became a tradition in the Soviet Union. Students go to school with flowers, and schools have special opening ceremonies., Moscow City Day — first or second weekend of September. This holiday celebrates the founding of Moscow. It is a city holiday, not a national one. People enjoy concerts, fairs, historical shows, and fireworks., Teacher’s Day — 5 October. This holiday honors teachers and school staff. It is part of an international tradition and is very popular in Russia. Students give flowers, cards, and kind messages to teachers., National Unity Day — 4 November. This holiday remembers the people’s army that liberated Moscow in 1612. It became a public holiday in 2005. People attend patriotic events, concerts, and church services., Halloween — 31 October. This is not a traditional Russian holiday, but it is popular with some young people. It came from Western culture. People wear costumes, decorate rooms, and have themed parties., Mother’s Day — last Sunday of November. Russia introduced this holiday in 1998. It honors mothers and family life. Children give flowers, draw pictures, and prepare small gifts., Constitution Day — 12 December. This holiday marks the adoption of the Russian Constitution in 1993. It is an important state date, though not a day off. Schools and institutions may hold lessons and events about law and citizenship., Student’s Day (Tatiana Day) — 25 January. This holiday began in the 18th century with Moscow University and Saint Tatiana. It celebrates students and education. Students have parties, concerts, and fun winter activities., Medical Worker’s Day — third Sunday of June. This holiday honors doctors, nurses, and other medical workers. It started in the Soviet period. Hospitals and communities thank medical staff and hold small ceremonies., Cosmonautics Day — 12 April. This holiday celebrates Yuri Gagarin’s first human space flight in 1961. It is an important day in Russian science history. Schools, museums, and space centers hold exhibitions and educational events.

Russian holidays

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