Press releases

New Year and Christmas in Belarus

Christmas and Yew Year holidays are a perfect time to travel around Belarus. You will see how the country’s famous landmarks look like in winter and learn more about Belarusian traditions associated with Christmas and New Year celebrations.

New Year holidays start in Belarus at the end of December (Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on 25 December) and last until the mid-January (Eastern Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on 7 January and the Old New Year on 14 January).

New Year and Christmas fairs offering a variety of gifts and souvenirs started working in Belarus long before the holidays. Those looking for a real deal are welcome at shopping malls where Christmas sales have already begun.

Going on a New Year tour around Belarus, you will be able to visit ancient castles and palaces, wildlife sanctuaries, ethnographic museums, and mansions of fairytale characters.

Staying at Belarusian rural tourism estates is another exciting option. Here you will be able to see ancient Christmas rites, take part in folk games and festivities and try Belarusian Christmas dishes.

Belarusian ski resorts invite outdoor sports lovers to go skiing amidst snow-covered forests. Health farms lure visitors by a diverse recreation and entertainment programs.

Of course, the festivities will culminate on the eve of New Year, which is Belarus’ major holiday. For example, Minsk will mark New Year 2015 by midnight fireworks at the Minsk Hero City Stele and a fabulous show. Concerts will be held at the Palace of Sport and, for the first time, near Chizhovka Arena.

Festive Processions and Street Shows

Procession of Father Frosts and Snow Maidens

These fairytale characters will march along the streets of Minsk and other cities in the run-up to New Year. Twenty five couples of Father Frosts and Snow Maidens will take part in a ceremony to switch on the illumination on Belarus’ National New Year Tree on October Square. After that they will join other characters of fairy tales, movies and cartoons and go along the central streets of Minsk up to the Palace of Sport. Here the visitors will see an fascinating theatrical performance and a concert, take part in games, contests and unusual competitions.

 25 December – Independence Avenue, October Square, Minsk

25 December – Mogilev, 20 December – Brest, 17 December – Vitebsk, 15 December – Gomel

Race of Father Frosts and Snow Maidens in Grodno

The traditional race Christmas and New Year Competitions will mark the beginning of festivities in Grodno. Taking part in the race will be professional and amateur athletes from Belarus and abroad. The first race (400m) titled Father Frost’s Cup is meant for Father Frosts and Snow Maidens. There will be races for different age groups (from 16 to 70 years old and older), as well as short-distance and long-distance races (50m and 150m races and 60m hurdles), high jumps, pole vaulting, a 4km cross-country race…

21 December  Neman sports complex, Grodno

School of Father Frosts in Polotsk

This year, Polotsk will host, for the first time ever, the unique School of Father Frosts. A two-week curriculum includes such disciplines as: "Acting skills", "Scenic speech", "Choreography", "New Year's traditions", "Psychology", "Professional ethics", "How to make New Year gifts" ... Being equipped with theoretical knowledge, the Father Frosts will visit little patients in hospitals and give them gifts. The gala graduation ball will be held in the run-up to the holidays. On 24 December, in Liberty Square in Polotsk, 12 Months of the Year (the characters from a popular fairytale) will examine the Father Frosts across a lot of areas. Later the qualified magicians will light the lights of the main Christmas tree of Polotsk.

24 December Liberty Square, Polotsk

Christmas Performances, Concerts and Exhibitions

A Magical Midwinter Night’s Dream show in Belarusian circus

During the New Year and Christmas holidays the Belarusian State Circus will premiere a new project. The show "A Magical Midwinter Night’s Dream" celebrating the ancient culture of Belarus is a blend of the best traditions of circus, theatrical, musical and choreographic arts. According to the plot of the play, Father Frost and the visitors to the show will travel to the old Belarusian legends... The program is rich in spectacular acts which will be performed by leading circus artists of Belarus: jugglers, acrobats and gymnasts, equestrians, equilibrists. Among the main characters of the show are trained animals: dogs, horses, llamas and camels. The music and original costumes in the Belarusian style will complement the show.

17 December 2014 - 14 January 2015 Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

National Christmas Tree Show

According to the tradition, during the winter holidays the National Christmas Tree Show gathers young and adult people in the Big Hall of the Palace of the Republic. This year the characters of the show "School of Young Father Frosts" - polar bears, Snowy Night Fairy and the hosts of the evening, Father Frost and Snow Maiden - will share the tricks of the trade and will tell how to become real wizards. The fabulous show will be complemented with striking scenery and costumes, funny and sweet New Year songs, and pleasant surprises for the young guests.    

20 December 2014 - 5 January 2015 Big Hall, Palace of the Republic, Minsk

Christmas in My Heart

On Christmas Eve, the country’s best classic music performers will be brought together in a wonderful concert where they will perform the pieces by the famous composers: Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Francois Gounod, Giulio Caccini, Heitor Villa-Lobos… The billboard of the concert features the well-known pianist Tatiana Starchenko, virtuoso violoncellist Stanislav Petchenko, flutist Evgeny Vidanov and soloists of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus Tatiana Petrova and Natalya Akinina, the star of the Belarusian State Academic Musical Theater Anton Zayanchkovsky...

24 December  Upper Town concert hall, Minsk

New Year’s Eve Gala at Bolshoi Theater of Belarus

The Bolshoi Theater of Belarus is set to give a gala concert featuring the stars of the country’s main opera and ballet theater. The best singers will perform the world-renowned music pieces, scenes from operas, arias, ballet adagios and variations. The gala concert will feature the Big Opera project finalist baritone Ilya Silchukov, Belarus’ honored artists Vladimir Gromov and Anastasia Moskvina… The ballet program will include acts from The Fountain of Bakhchisarai, The Sleeping Beauty, The Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Esmeralda... The legendary Nut Cracker to Piotr Tchaikovsky’s music will make a notable addition to the Christmas mood at the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus.

Gala Concert of Stars of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus – 26, 30, 31 December
The Nut Cracker – 31 December, 3, 6, 10 January
Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, Minsk

Jazz and Rock on New Year’s Eve at Music Theater

On 31 December the Belarusian State Academic Musical Theater will invite everyone to listen to jazz and rock during the New Year celebrations. The show will feature celebrities, soloists and the choir, the ballet company and symphony orchestra of the theater. The show will take the audience to 2015 with the best hits of ABBA, Queen, Scorpions, Aria, Celine Dion… The wonderful night will offer a blend of music genres, unusual performances and surprises. Besides, the pre-New Year showbill of Belarus’ leading music theater invites for great family plays: the New Year fairytale Morozko, which premiered just a year ago, and a new stunning show New Year’s Hurly Burly in the Fairy Kingdom.

 Jazz and Rock on New Year’s Eve – 31 December
New Year fairytale Morozko – 28 and 30 December, 3 and 4 January
Music show New Year’s Hurly Burly in  the Fairy Kingdom – 26, 27, 29 December, 2, 5, 6 January

Belarusian Academic Musical Theater, Minsk

New Year’s Eve at Belarusian State Philharmonic

The State Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Republic of Belarus conducted by maestro Alexander Anisimov will spend New Year’s Eve performing the music of the world-renowned composers: Strauss, Gounod, Tchaikovsky, Sviridov, Piazzolla. The program will feature opera stars, including many-time holder of the Golden Mask Award and leading soloist of the Perm Opera and Ballet Theater Irina Krikunova, soloist of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus Oksana Volkova who made her New York’s Metropolitan Opera debut in 2013, soloist of the Moscow Music Theater Helikon Opera tenor Ilya Govzich…

31 December  Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, Minsk

Museum of Christmas Balls expo in Minsk

The exposition tells the story of Christmas balls from the 19th century to the present day. The collection features about 500 decorations from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. On display are extraordinary rarities: a glass ball more than 40cm in diameter from the Vienna ball, the replica of the ball presented to John Paul II by Ukrainian glass-blowers (the ball has entered the Guinness Book of Records). A special charm of the expo is carried by the Christmas balls decorated with the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, Viktor Vasnetsov and Ivan Shishkin, famous Vitebsk-born Marc Chagall. Visitors can watch the process of making glass balls and paint their hand-made Christmas balls, purchase Christmas souvenirs.

18 November 2014 – 15 February 2015 National History Museum    

Christmas and New Year Balls

Children’s Christmas Ball in Mir Castle

The Christmas Ball for boys and girls from 6 to 13 years old will take place in the Portrait Hall which was created by socialite Michal Kazimierz "Rybenko" Radziwill in the 18th century. The ball’s hostess, Princess Radziwill and her ladies in waiting will welcome young guests and teach them to dance old-style dances. The ball will include numerous events: dancing, games, contests, a theatrical performance, and presentation of candy rewards. The interactive program will include a fascinating tour of the 16th century castle, which is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, and will give a chance to learn more about its rich history.

2 January, 12:00 Mir Castle

Retro Party in Mir Castle

The retro party in Mir Castle will bring together those who love history and unusual amusements. The organizers of the party will revive the atmosphere of the 1920s-1930s, the time when jazz music was born and the Golden Age of Hollywood began. The party’s program includes dancing to the best music of the time performed by a jazz band, a photoshoot in ancient halls of the castle, a silent film show, master classes and a fascinating tour of luxurious castle halls. The party will be crowned by the ceremony to award winners of the contest for the most stylish and elegant couple.

2 January, 19:00 Mir Castle

Mir Castle Ball

On 3 January the ancient residence of Counts Svyatopolk-Mirskis will bring together lovers of classical music and dancing for a romantic party in the style of the 18th-19th centuries. The Portrait Hall will welcome ladies and gentlemen in gorgeous attire featuring all the secular fashion trends of the time. By tradition, the ball will open with an 18th century polonaise. The dancing program will also include legendary Viennese waltz, French quadrille, polka… Guests of the party will enjoy an interactive performance involving both actors and the audience, dancing master classes, ancient games and amusements.

3 January, 19:00 Mir Castle                                    

New Year Ball in Bolshoi Theater

By tradition, in the run-up to the Old New Year the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus will host a magnificent ball. For one night the theater will turn into a wonderful New Year Express; its house and lobby will be converted into railway stations, city quarters and streets, luxurious dancing salons. The ball will be opened with a parade of theater stars and the Russian Ball which will feature polonaise, waltz, polka, contredanse, gallop, mazurka. The party’s program will also include the Viennese Ball with wonderful music by Johann Strauss and Franz Lehar. Guests of the party will enjoy aristocratic amusements, concerts and original salons, ballroom dancing and tango master classes. The stylized cafes will feature the best silent movies by the Lumiere brothers and Charlie Chaplin’s film City Lights. 

On the night of 13-14 January Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, Minsk

New Year Tours and Entertainments

Tour to the Belarusian Father Frost's Residence

The residence of the wizard located in Europe’s oldest forest – Belovezhskaya Pushcha – is one of the most visited places in Belarus. In 2013 it celebrated its tenth anniversary and the 150th anniversary of the highest Christmas tree (unfortunately, it no longer exists. A younger tree was chosen to be the center of the Christmas and New Year celebrations). The residence hosted the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony as part of the show Meeting of the Snow Maiden and the Mother Winter as early as late November. The Fairytale Walk of Fame was opened to the visitors. It features wooden sculptures of All-Russia Father Frost, Belarusian wizard Zyuzya Poozersky, and other fairytale characters. As winter set in, the residence daily holds interesting events. Belarusian Father Frost, recognized as one of the richest in Europe, receives guests in his throne hall.  

December 2014 – January 2015 Belovezhskaya Pushcha

New Year Tour A Visit to Father Frost and Snow Maiden

Bolotnik has become a local fairytale lucky charm at Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve. This year he will receive tourists together with Father Frost and Snow Maiden for the first time. According to the legend, the mythological creature is a distant relative of Leshy (forest spirit). He settled down in the swamps on the boarder between Vitebsk Oblast and Minsk Oblast in 2011. In summer Bolotnik accompanies tourists along forest paths. In winter he becomes one of the main participants of New Year celebrations. During the holiday tour around the biosphere reserve the guests can visit the nature museum Animal World of Reserve, see wild animals in the Forest Zoo, participate in joyful celebrations with songs and dances, and take a ride around the snow-covered forest in a sleigh.

15 December 2014 – 14 January 2015 Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve    

New Year’s Night at Lebyazhy Water Park

The Lebyazhy Water Park that opened in Minsk in the middle of 2014 is the largest in Belarus and the fifth largest in Europe. The park will be one of the most exotic places to celebrate New Year's Eve in Minsk. The visitors will go down the waterslides and enjoy an entertainment program featuring the best Belarusian DJs, dance shows, surprises, and presents. The celebration night in the water park will feature several themed parties: Eastern, Hawaiian, Russian, Ukrainian, and Mexican…

31 December Lebyazhy Water Park, Minsk

Christmas Celebrations in Nesvizh

One of the most beautiful palace complexes in Europe, the residence of the Radziwill family in Nesvizh, invites tourists to immerse into the Christmas atmosphere of the late 19th century. … The visitors will be greeted by Duke Antoni Wilhelm Radziwill and his wife Marie Dorothea de Castellane Radziwill. The theater hall of the palace will become the workshop of the hostess who founded the Nesvizh parks in late 19th century and developed the renovation plan of the family estate. The guests will see how the idea to renovate the palace was born. The performance will be accompanied by Marie de Castellane’s favorite French La Marseillaise and the polonaise Farewell to the Homeland by Michal Kleofas Oginski. Meanwhile the choreographer of the theater school of Franciszka Urszula Radziwill will reveal secrets of the court etiquette to the tourists and teach them some dance moves at the Nesvizh town hall.

2-8 January Nesvizh Palace                                     

Christmas Fairs and Holiday Sales

Christmas Fair in Minsk

It is the season of big Christmas fairs in the Belarusian capital. You can get a charge of good mood and find presents for your loved ones several weeks before the celebration. The best venues in Minsk’s downtown have been used to erect wooden homes with New Year decorations. You can buy New Year tree decorations, carnival costumes and masks, original souvenirs. Nearby cafes and restaurants offer Belarusian cuisine or hot drinks made to Belarusian recipes, fresh pastry with an unforgettable aroma and sweets.

 12 December – 15 January

The open air venue near the Palace of Sport, October Square, Minsk
12:00 – 21:00 (every day), on New Year’s night – till 4:00.

Minsk International Christmas Festival

The Christmas festival unites two trade zones — the Belarusian-Russian one and the Baltic one. Stalls of 15 white wooden chalets in the Lithuanian Patio are filled with Baltic folk crafts products: felt goods, souvenirs made of clay and amber, wrought home decorations and New Year tree decorations. In 15 Belarusian-Russian festive pavilions visitors will be able to buy ceramic products, gifts made of camel’s hair, flax and silk, wicker furniture, souvenirs and sweets. Visitors will be treated to tasty surprises — dishes made by Baltic and Slavonic cuisine chefs, tea from Russian samovars with famous Tula gingerbread. Your little ones will be able to send mail to Father Frost. The letters will be delivered to Father Frost’s residence in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

12 December – 10 January                      

The open air platform near the Palace of Sport, Minsk
12:00 – 21:00 (every day), on New Year’s night – from 21:00 till 4:00.

Folk Crafts Trade Show Mlyn

The biggest trade show featuring handcrafted products will gather over 500 craftsmen, designers, and artists from Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic states in Minsk. Connoisseurs of handmade products will find unique products here. The products are made using embroidery, macrame, batik printing, lace-making, woodcarving, wickerwork, artistic blacksmithing, and barrel making. Visitors to the trade show will be able to acquire exclusive home decorations, products for hobbies and art, custom-made decorations, original gifts and handmade souvenirs.

 20 – 22 December

National expo center BelExpo, Minsk, 10:00 – 19:00

New Year Discounts and Sales in Minsk

In anticipation of the festive season Minsk’s biggest stores and Belarusian manufacturers offer sales. Following the established tradition the prices are reduced by 15%. At the height of New Year celebrations the discounts may reach 50%. Particularly popular during the shopping spree are famous Belarus-made products: flax and knitwear, footwear and fancy goods, household appliances, jewelry and souvenirs with Belarusian styles. Minsk’s department stores and shopping centers TSUM, GUM, Belarus, Na Nemige, Stolitsa encourage customers to buy smart.