What is the Russian Winter Festival in Moscow?
The Russian Winter Festival in Moscow is a major cultural festival celebrated on an annual basis with more enthusiasm every year and is a unique Moscow winter activity for travelers. Events at Izmailovo Park and the more central Revolution Square have featured performances of traditional Russian song and dance, games, crafts, food, and more. The Christmas Village at Revolution Square is an excellent source for Russian souvenirs and gifts – traditional folk crafts are sold here, as well as Christmas ornaments and traditional winter-weather wear like shawls and valenki.What To See and Do At Moscow's Russian Winter Festival
Besides sampling Russian traditional wintertime foods, like bagels, jam, and tea, visitors to the Winter Festival in Moscow will be able to view Russian ice sculpture, take troika rides, and play games. Ded Moroz and Snegurochka make appearances at the Winter Festival, too.Past Russian Winter Festivals in Moscow have included displays of large, culturally significant sculptures, like a giant ruble coin that appeared in 2009 and a valenki felt boot the size of a human being in 2008. In 2007, a large-scale ice chess game took place between Moscow and London, which also typically hosts a Russian Winter Festival. Other features of the Winter Festival in Moscow, like fur fashion shows and balalaika concerts, draw diverse crowds.
Some activities at the festival hearken back to Russian days of old but have yet to become passe. Sledding – with or without snow – is a favorite game at the Moscow Winter Festival. Swings - replicas of those used in 16th century Russia - are also put to use.
