Oktyabrskaya Square’s centerpiece

Magic, wonderful, exciting – New Year mood has swept the whole world. Needless to say, Minsk is no exception. The Belarusian capital switched on the festive lights in the evening of 14 December. The lights on the Christmas tree in Oktyabrskaya Square and another 17 Christmas trees around the city were turned on at 18:00 alongside the New Year illumination in the central avenues.

Starting from that evening, thousands of bright little lamps will be shining in the dark around the city in the mornings and evenings. The lights will remain on overnight from 24 to 25 December, from 31 December to 1 January, from 6 to 7 January, and from 13 to 14 January.

The history of the magnificent Christmas tree in Oktyabrskaya Square in Minsk dates back to the beginning of the third millennium. Back then, Minsk residents and visitors gathered for the 2001 New Year's Eve celebrations near the spick-and-span 30-meter-high Christmas tree which came to the capital from Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Three years later, the residence of Belarus’ Father Frost was opened in this national park. The Belarusian wizard is named the most popular one in the CIS in tourist rankings. Besides, he also has a house in Gorky Park in Minsk, which will be playing host to young and grown-up guests as from 22 December.

The New Year holidays in Minsk are full of surprises: Grandfather Frost’s space residence in the planetarium, the Peace Light from Bethlehem in the Minsk Cathedral of Saint Virgin Mary, a colorful New Year music fireworks show, and many other things…

Take a walk around the festive city, have a look at the Christmas tree sparkling with lights, warm up with a cup of fragrant tea or mulled wine at a Christmas fair – it is so simple to create a festive mood on the eve of a new year!