Journey to Christmas: Most Magical Winter Festival

A Vintage Christmas Wonderland

At the heart of the festival, Manezhnaya Square transforms into an old-fashioned holiday village inspired by early 20th-century Russian Christmas traditions. The highlight is the revival of vata ornaments — delicate cotton-wool figurines that once adorned families' trees across Russia. The entire area becomes a “City of Christmas Toys,” populated by characters crafted in this nostalgic hand-made style.

The décor evokes the charm of vintage postcards: oversized gift boxes, storybook scenes, pastel colours, and warm lights. Actors perform short interactive plays among the sets, making the space feel alive and inviting. For visitors, it’s one of the most immersive spots of the festival, and it's a perfect backdrop for memorable winter photos.

Guests can also try traditional craft workshops, learning techniques used in aristocratic households of the past, such as creating decorative boxes, foil ornaments, and angel figures.

Address: Manezhnaya Square

The City of Christmas Ornaments

Walking from Manezhnaya Square toward Revolution Square, visitors step into the atmosphere of late-19th- and early-20th-century Moscow, a lively fair scented with sbiten and fresh pine. Here, the stars of the scene are the treasured, hand-crafted cotton-wool ornaments, the nostalgic symbols of the Russian New Year. A festive Christmas Express and its conductor greet guests, along with charming photo spots decorated with vintage-style displays and tiny “cotton” figurines. The route opens into a magical forest of fir, spruce, laurel, and holly, complete with unusual topiary shapes made from berried yew, an inviting setting for winter strolls and storybook-like photos.

Address: Revolution Square

In a Fairytale Setting

At the Bolshoi Theatre, the festival creates the scene of a winter fairytale inspired by The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. The tiered terraces become a storybook stage lined with whimsical house façades and velvet-draped theatre boxes. Around the fountain, delicate “crystal flowers” bloom, a poetic nod to Tchaikovsky’s waltzes. Floating above it is a festive hot-air balloon inspired by the sweets of the mythical Confiturenburg. The central Christmas tree glitters with lights and silver ornaments, and if you peek through the windows of the lower tier, you may glimpse silhouettes dancing at a grand ballroom, which is a charming vignette straight from a winter tale.

Address: Teatralnaya Square

Moscow in Miniature & A Winter Fairy Tale

Tverskaya Square celebrates Moscow itself. The façades glitter with gold-patinated light installations, creating an enchanting winter glow. At the centre rises an eight-metre Christmas tree crafted by Moscow artists. This installation recreates the city’s iconic landmarks: the Bolshoi Theatre, Stalinist skyscrapers, the Mayor’s Office, VDNH pavilions, 19th-century mansions, and the Kremlin towers, all rendered as mini architectural sculptures.

Workshops here immerse both children and adults in traditional crafts so they can:

• create aristocratic “surprise boxes”
• produce metal Christmas ornaments using pre-revolution techniques
• paint angel figurines

Together with the festive lights and performances, Tverskaya becomes one of the most magical points of the whole festival.

Address: Tverskaya Square (Tverskaya Street, 8к1с5)

A World of Toys

On Kuznetsky Most, visitors step into a festive corridor of European lindens, rhododendrons, laurel, and lush winter arrangements of decorated fir, juniper, and spruce. Hidden among the greenery are beloved toys brought to life at a grand scale: a metre-and-a-half spinning top, a wooden rocking horse, a plush bear sitting in a tiny car, and even a wooden aeroplane. Bright red decorative structures recall scenes from classic holiday cartoons, adding a touch of nostalgia to the walkway. And right at the entrance stands a spectacular four-metre crimson bear gently hugging a fully decorated Christmas tree, an irresistibly charming spot for photos and a warm welcome to this fairytale world of toys.

Address: Kuznetsky Most, 9–13

Christmas Tree Exhibitions

The festival features several special Christmas tree exhibitions, each offering a unique take on Moscow’s artistic traditions. These installations make for some of the most photogenic spots of the entire festival.

A Marshmallow Miracle

The lower part of Stoleshnikov Lane turns into a pastel-coloured confectionery dreamscape. Decorative façades in soft shades are adorned with sculpted details and marshmallow-like “sweet” ornaments, giving the entire street the look of a whimsical dessert.

The elegant canopies of elm trees and the glossy foliage of evergreen osmanthus and holly frame the festive structures. Russian and Serbian fir trees decorated with pearly ornaments add even more seasonal sparkle. Summer’s tiered flower platforms are transformed into layered winter “cakes,” topped with arrangements of fir branches, baubles, candles, and ribbons.

At the very entrance, visitors are greeted by a spectacular photo spot: a vintage-style car topped with a towering pile of presents, which is a perfect introduction to this sugary, storybook winter lane.

Address: Stoleshnikov Lane (from Bolshaya Dmitrovka to Petrovka)