Public holiday in Russia
New Year's Day in Russia
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
New Year’s Day is a nationwide public holiday in Russia, marking the start of the calendar year. It sits at the center of the country’s long New Year period, which is the main winter holiday season for many people.
About New Year's Day in Russia
In Russia, New Year’s Day is less a stand-alone date than the opening of a broader holiday break that follows New Year’s Eve. It is a nationwide public holiday and one of the main fixed points in the winter calendar, with family visits, home gatherings and travel forming much of the day’s practical importance. The holiday is especially significant because New Year celebrations in Russia extend beyond midnight into the first days of January. As a result, January 1 is part of a wider seasonal routine rather than an isolated observance, and it is commonly associated with rest, family time and continuing celebrations from the previous evening.
History
Russia used the Gregorian New Year date from the early 20th century, after the calendar change in 1918. During the Soviet period, New Year gradually became the main winter family holiday, especially as Christmas was no longer the principal public celebration in the same way as before.
Traditions
Russian New Year customs commonly center on a decorated fir tree, shared meals and gifts exchanged at home. Many families also associate the holiday with the Ded Moroz figure and his granddaughter Snegurochka, who appear in children’s celebrations and festive gatherings.
How New Year's Day is celebrated in Russia
January 1 is usually a quiet day after the previous night’s festivities. People often sleep late, visit relatives, eat leftovers from holiday meals and spend time with family at home. In many places, the day is also linked to watching televised entertainment and enjoying the last phase of the New Year break before normal routines resume.
Interesting facts
The Russian New Year period is often treated as a longer holiday season than the single date alone suggests. The holiday sits near other January observances, but January 1 is the fixed nationwide public holiday in the context provided here.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.