Public and religious holidays

New Year - December 31 / Orthodox Christmas - 7 January: the New Year on December 31 is the most important holiday for the general public and is celebrated on a larger scale than Christmas. Tverskaya fills with people who come to party and watch open air concerts in the frozen January air. Religion was suppressed for many years during Soviet times so the Orthodox Christmas is a purely religious holiday.

Army Day - Feb. 23: Before, men who served in the army and the military were congratulated and it became an official, public holiday; today, it more related to every Russian man.

Women's Day - March 8: official public holiday and a big celebration. Women are congratulated and given presents;

Spring and Labour Day - May 1;

Victory Day - May 9: devoted to Russian victory over fascism in WWII. Military parades, ceremonies, fireworks and social events for war veterans. Most Russians do not work from May 1 until May 10;

Pancake Week - 7 weeks before Easter;

Orthodox Easter (Pashka): follows the Great Fast; the date differs every year but is usually at the end of April. Big church services where traditional Easter food is blessed before the ceremonial meal;

Sovereignty day - June 12;

The day of reconciliation and agreement - November 7;

Constitution Day - December 12.