VDNH started celebrating New Year's Eve in the mid-1950s when it re-opened on a year-round basis after the war. That was when most of the winter traditions at VDNH were established, most of which have been preserved to this day.
For more than 60 consecutive years the Exhibition has become a key nexus of the New Year's Eve and Christmas festivities in Moscow for residents and visitors alike.
During the New Year and Christmas season VDNH invites you to relive the best holiday traditions that the Exhibition has offered over the years. Historical photos are on display for you to see how VDNH's visitors had a good time 50 and 60 years ago. Archival clippings from magazines, newspapers and guidebooks will also help you get a sense of the atmosphere of the past.
New year trees and shows for children
In the mid-1950s New Year shows were arranged at the Kolkhoz House of Culture just for the children of the Exhibition's employees. Starting in the 1960s the events became accessible to everyone. They were held at the House of Culture or outdoors and included themed exhibitions in Pavilion No. 1. The show ‘Karandash is Here to Celebrate New Year!ʼ starring a famous clown and top artists of the Soviet circus was wildly popular. There was a nature corner where children could make some feathered friends, song-birds, swans and peacocks. A central feature of the New Year shows at VDNH has always been the sweets. For example, in 1963 one sweet cost 1 rouble and 30 kopecks and included admission to the show. The tradition of such children's shows continues today and the nature corner has grown considerably and transformed into the ‘City Farm,ʼ an educational centre for the whole family.
The legendary ice rink at VDNH
Ice skating has always been the most beloved leisure activity at VDNH for adults and kids alike. From 1954 to 2014 there was a naturally-formed ice rink at VDNH with the exceptions of only a few years when a rather small artificial skating rink was created. In the Soviet times the ice rink was situated in front of the Main Pavilion and around the ‘Friendship of Peoplesʼ fountain. This season the biggest ice rink in Moscow extends from Pavilion No. 1 ‘Centralʼ to Pavilion No. 58 ‘Farming.ʼ Back in the USSR, next to the ice rink there was a special area for exciting competitions and circus shows. Amateur dance troupes, choirs and folk performers from Moscow and the Moscow Region, as well as guests from different Soviet republics, often performed on the stage. More than 60 years later the tradition of winter performances continues at the Exhibition today.
Natural fir trees and holiday decorations
A bushy green Christmas tree is an indispensable symbol of the New Year. In the past the Pushkino forestry district provided trees for the Exhibition to be installed on its grounds and inside the pavilions. The tradition of natural fir trees was re-established in 2019, the Exhibition's jubilee year. This season there are also natural fir trees on the ice rink. Besides, at VDNH you can find holiday trees of years gone by that were planted along its alleys and squares back in the late 50s to mid-60s. Instead of ornaments and garlands, they are decorated with their own pine cones and fluffy snow provided by nature itself. VDNH mostly features Asian, European and Siberian spruces. Near Pavilions No. 66 ‘Soviet Cultureʼ and No. 17 ‘Forest Industryʼ there are firs growing, which are close relatives of the spruces. There are even more types of conifer trees growing at the Exhibition such as pines, larches, cypresses and cedars. At the Young Naturalists' square you can see a unique alley of Douglas firs, one of the tallest types of coniferous tree.
Russian Christmas
The tradition of celebrating Christmas was officially restored nation-wide in 1991. However, the Exhibition did not hold any mass events on this occasion due to the turmoils and difficulties of that period in our history. In modern Russia Christmas is considered to be a religious holiday that has not retained well-established traditions. In recent years VDNH has been arranging themed sessions on the ice rink to celebrate Christmas.
Outdoor festivities: riding three-horse and reindeer sleighs
In the last few decades a festival called ‘Russian Winterʼ has been hugely popular among residents and guests of Moscow. It has been held at the Exhibition since the mid-1960s. The festival has featured theatre performances starring famous entertainers and circus artists. Every day of the festival guests of VDNH could ride traditional three-horse and reindeer sleighs. The smallest visitors could take a pony ride. There was also a traditional three-horse sleigh championship held on the show ring. Today the best traditions of the ‘Russian Winterʼ festival are being carried on, but in the form of somewhat different events organised annually at VDNH. The Exhibition again offers rides in three-horse, reindeer and even husky sleighs.
Excursions
In the 60s and 70s the Exhibition arranged special excursions and meet-ups with interesting people for schoolchildren on their winter break. This season VDNH has also prepared a New Year's excursion programme on its grounds, complemented with online events from the residents of the project ‘Knowledge. VDNH.ʼ It is free for all participants.
Holiday Fun Fairs
New Year fairs with beautifully decorated kiosks are yet another lovely tradition that has carried on since the late 1950s. Just as in Soviet times at VDNH you can treat yourself to holiday pretzels, baranki, pies and rasstegai, and buy souvenirs and presents for your friends and family.