Which song is traditionally performed at midnight during New Year's Eve celebrations in Russia?

The National Anthem of Russia is traditionally performed at midnight during New Year's Eve celebrations in Russia.

The televised Kremlin clock chimes are a major part of the country's New Year broadcast. The anthem follows the chimes, after which fireworks and public celebrations continue in many cities. This sequence makes the anthem one of the most recognizable sounds associated with the holiday in modern Russia.

The current anthem uses music by Alexander Alexandrov, originally written in 1939, with lyrics by Sergey Mikhalkov and Gabriel El-Registan for the Soviet anthem. The Russian Federation adopted a revised version of the Soviet-era melody in 2000, and Mikhalkov supplied new lyrics.

The tradition should not be confused with a universally fixed song played at every Russian party. Families and public venues may also use popular music, folk songs, or regional traditions. The anthem is specifically linked to the official midnight broadcast and the Kremlin clock ceremony.