Moscow’s Red Square hosts major New Year’s Eve celebrations in Russia.
Red Square is Moscow’s historic central public space, bordered by landmarks including the Kremlin, Saint Basil’s Cathedral, and the GUM department store. Its clock tower, the Spasskaya Tower, is strongly associated with the country’s televised midnight countdown and the ringing of Kremlin chimes.
New Year is one of Russia’s most important secular holidays. Celebrations commonly include a decorated tree, a family meal, television programs, fireworks, and visits from the figures Ded Moroz and Snegurochka in festive traditions. Public events in Red Square may be subject to changing security and access rules.
Red Square is not the same place as the Kremlin, although the two are adjacent and closely connected in imagery. The square’s name comes from an older Russian word meaning beautiful or splendid as well as the modern word for red.