Winter is the perfect time to experience Russian culture and immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere of Moscow’s New Year celebrations. The changes that come with winter in Moscow are truly breathtaking: the city maintains its traditional light decorations while hosting various events and performances on the streets. To ensure you have an unforgettable New Year's experience, the historic Hotel Metropol has compiled a list of the top 20 winter activities not to be missed.
City Magic
In winter, Moscow is transformed into a dazzling wonderland with its beautiful lights. The city center is adorned with New Year wreaths, lights, ornaments, and other festive decorations. On the streets, you’ll find stunning decorations, ice sculptures, and New Year trees, whose grand designs and intricate details will leave you in awe. The festive spirit of Christmas and New Year fills the air, enchanting everyone.
Red Square Ice Rink
The famous GUM Ice Rink is located in the heart of Red Square, right opposite the historic GUM department store. Red Square is the focal point of New Year celebrations every year and features Russia’s largest and most beautiful New Year tree, as well as a fair, carousel, and ice slides. At the rink, visitors can not only skate but also attend masterclasses led by international figure skating and hockey stars to experience professional skating and hockey firsthand.
Grand Kremlin Palace
Guests of the Hotel Metropol have the opportunity to visit the Grand Kremlin Palace, one of the most mysterious palaces in the Moscow Kremlin. The Grand Kremlin Palace is not a museum—the palace is used as a ceremonial residence for the President of Russia. It hosts important state ceremonies such as the awarding of national honors and certificates. The palace walls conceal beautifully classical original interiors. Among them, the Faceted Chamber dates back to the 15th century and was used as the main meeting hall for the Grand Duke’s court, hosting sessions of the Boyar Duma and Zemsky Sobor, as well as celebrations of city conquests and landmark military victories. The Grand Kremlin Palace is a state institution with strict security requirements, making short visits nearly impossible. However, the Hotel Metropol’s concierge service, led by Andrey Korystov, Chairman of the Russian representation of Les Clefs d'Or, can arrange an exclusive experience for you.
The Nutcracker Ballet
Ballet is Russia’s national pride and the “business card” of its culture. Performing The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre is a long-standing tradition. The Bolshoi’s production of The Nutcracker has become a true symbol of Russian fairy tales, New Year, and holidays, combining exquisite ballet with magical classical melodies to transport you to a fantastical world. Guests of Hotel Metropol enjoy special discounted tickets.
Gorky Park Ice Rink
The Gorky Park Ice Rink is also very popular among Muscovites and many visitors. It is one of the park’s largest ice facilities, featuring several themed areas: a general skating area for the public, a children’s rink, and a hockey rink. In addition, the park often hosts demonstration skating lessons and themed music parties.
Victory Park, Sokolniki Park, Fallen Monument Park
No sled, no Russian. In Russia, both adults and children love sledding. Your winter holiday would be incomplete without sledding in one of Moscow’s parks. The most popular sledding spots in Moscow include Victory Park, which offers scenic viewpoints of the city, along with Sokolniki Park and Fallen Monument Park, located near the Tretyakov Gallery and Gorky Park.
Skiing at Vorobyovy Gory
If you enjoy outdoor activities, you should take the chance to ski at Vorobyovy Gory in central Moscow. The mountain skiing complex there is currently under renovation, but soon this high-level sports facility, designed for international competitions, will reopen. After the renovation, visitors will be able to enjoy views of Vorobyovy Gory and the Moscow River from the cable car.
VDNKh Ice Rink
The VDNKh Ice Rink is Europe’s largest ice rink, located within the historic VDNKh complex, where every building is a masterpiece of Soviet art. In winter, hundreds of people visit VDNKh for exhibitions, to shop for gifts and souvenirs at the New Year market, and, of course, to skate and play hockey. The rink also hosts various events, including masterclasses, themed performances, and concerts.
Kremlin New Year Party
Children’s performances are an essential part of Russia’s New Year celebrations. One meaningful event is the Kremlin New Year Party, held since 1954, which offers young visitors a magical and dreamlike experience every year. Russian winter holidays are always associated with fairy tales, folk dances, circle dances, songs, and sweet gifts. The Kremlin New Year Party goes all out to create an unforgettable New Year.
Visit the Bolshoi Theatre
For those wanting to learn more about the theatre’s history and hidden secrets, Hotel Metropol offers backstage tours of this legendary venue. You can watch rehearsals live and explore the Tsar’s Box, the historic halls, and the costume workshop—even seeing how skilled artisans craft performance attire by hand.
New Year Ice Show
Created by the world’s best figure skaters and top stage directors at the Moscow Ice Theatre. This year’s global masterpiece, Swan Lake, will be performed by Olympic champion and international superstar Evgeni Plushenko, alongside a new piece inspired by a classic Russian fairy tale, The Scarlet Flower, performed by renowned figure skater Tatiana Navka.
Secrets of the Moscow Metro
The Moscow Metro is one of the most beautiful and largest rapid transit systems in the world, a project that captivates visitors with its grandeur. Each station has its own story, and so the Moscow Metro is full of legends. To uncover the mysteries of this grand and significant Soviet architectural project, the Hotel Metropol offers a unique Metro experience tour. In Moscow, every place holds symbolic value of its era and keeps its secrets, often puzzling at first glance. On the Hotel Metropol experience tour, you’ll uncover the unexpected.
The Gentleman’s Tour of Moscow
The historic Hotel Metropol offers an experience-based tour inspired by the famous bestselling novel A Gentleman in Moscow by American author Amor Towles. It takes you back to the early 20th century, where you can follow in the footsteps of the novel’s protagonist, Count Rostov, and explore how stepping into another era influenced the development of modern Russia. During the tour, you’ll not only experience the new world created by the author on an intellectual level but also sample the cocktails and dishes favored by Count Rostov at the Shalyapin Bar.
Shopping
You can purchase gifts at the famous historical shopping centers in downtown Moscow. GUM is the city's main department store, with its first shop opened as early as the 16th century. TSUM and Petrovsky Passage host many top international brands, making them popular shopping destinations for tourists. Additionally, Nikolskaya Street, Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, Stoleshnikov Lane, Fashion Seasons Gallery, and Tsvetnoy Department Store all feature exhibition spaces showcasing works by renowned Russian designers.
Firebird New Year’s Grand Ball
On New Year’s Eve, the Metropol Hotel hosts its famous annual grand ball. This year, the hotel is preparing a special celebration to honor the iconic Russian Firebird figure. The Firebird, filled with mystery and magic, symbolizes dreams and journeys to new worlds. The Firebird is a character from Igor Stravinsky’s ballet, with its sets and costumes designed by Leon Bakst during the Parisian season of the Ballets Russes. The Metropol Hotel’s grand ball is a unique opportunity to attend a true high-society ball in the style of Natasha Rostova and to savor a blend of traditional and modern Russian cuisine crafted by Chef Andrey Shmakov. You’ll also enjoy a distinctive interpretation of Swan Lake, along with a vibrant immersive performance based on Mikhail Vrubel’s painting “The Swan Princess.”
New Year’s Fireworks Display
According to Russian tradition, festive fireworks herald the start of the New Year after the midnight chimes on December 31. Moscow’s fireworks are known for their spectacular scale, and a Russian New Year is unimaginable without them. Red Square, the Vorobyovy Gory viewing platform, and Pok
Exquisite brunches
The dishes crafted by master chefs and the festive brunch atmosphere of high-end Moscow restaurants have always been a focal point. The Metropol Hotel hosts themed Sunday and holiday brunches in its luxurious banquet hall, where you can savor Russian native cuisine prepared by renowned chef Andrey Shmakov, all while enjoying the backdrop of live jazz music and the gentle sound of fountains. The brunches here cater not only to Orthodox Christmas but also to Catholic Christmas. Another family-friendly favorite is the Pan-Asian restaurant Turandot, designed in the style of an 18th-century palace, offering Chinese and Japanese dishes prepared by Singaporean chef Chung Wai Chong.
Zaryadye Park
Opened in 2017, Zaryadye Park has become one of Moscow’s major attractions. Here you can experience miniature versions of Russia’s diverse natural landscapes: mixed forests, steppes, river meadows, and even ice caves from northern Russia. Throughout the park, around a million plant species native to these climate zones can be found. The park also features the famous “Floating Bridge,” which offers panoramic views of Moscow, including the Kremlin, Christ the Savior Cathedral, and the embankment buildings. The bridge includes a 70-meter-high pillar-free platform, making it one of the best spots for photos in the city’s historic center. The third section of the park houses the Zaryadye Concert Hall, one of Russia’s top music venues, known for its acoustics as refined as mountain streams. It also regularly hosts classical music festivals and concerts featuring both Russian and international performers.
Official website of the Metropol Hotel Moscow: https://metropol-moscow.ru/cn/
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