During the Soviet era, Christmas and all other church holidays were banned (though many people continued to celebrate them in secret). Many Christmas traditions were moved to New Year’s, which has been the most popular holiday in Russia ever since. Russian Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January, according to the Julian calendar. It is celebrated with a meal and gifts for their loved ones.
Making this holiday even more special is the fact that Russians enjoy ten official days off during the New Year celebrations, starting on or around December 30th.
Worshipers follow a strict fast, which ends when the first star appears in the sky on the night of Christmas Eve.
Santa is called Dyed Moroz, or “Grandfather Frost,” and travels across Russia on New Year’s Eve
with Snegurochka, “The Snow Maiden,” a character from Russian Fairy tales visiting children and placing presents under their “New Year’s Trees.”