When do Russians celebrate Christmas?

For many visitors the date comes as a surprise: Russians mark Christmas in early January rather than late December. The short answer is straightforward and matters if you are planning travel, family visits or seasonal gatherings.

Quick answer

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on 7 January according to the Gregorian calendar. This happens because the church still uses the Julian calendar for liturgical dates: when the Julian calendar reads 25 December, the corresponding Gregorian date is 7 January.

How the date affects the season

In practice you will encounter more than one winter celebration. New Year’s Eve on 31 December–1 January is the main secular holiday for many families and often the time for gift exchanges and large dinners; if you are packing matching outfits for those evenings, consider cosy options like christmas pajamas for relaxed family moments. A smaller share of people follow Western customs and celebrate on 25 December, especially expatriates and those influenced by international media.

What to expect at religious observances

Orthodox Christmas itself is observed with church liturgies, a Nativity Fast beforehand and customs on Christmas Eve such as meatless suppers in many communities. Many Russian families spread observances across the holiday stretch, so public services, home gatherings and communal events can fall across late December and the first week of January.

Practical note for visitors and hosts

If you plan a festive wardrobe for parties or workplace events, remember the calendar variety: office parties often happen around New Year while religious events cluster on and around 7 January. For themed gatherings where a playful look fits the bill, an ugly christmas sweater can be a fun choice, while a classic christmas sweater suits mixed family celebrations. Packing with both dates in mind makes it easier to join whichever tradition your hosts follow.

Calendar mechanics and why 7 January falls where it does

The Russian Orthodox Church calculates liturgical dates using the Julian calendar, which currently runs thirteen days behind the civil Gregorian calendar used in most of the world. When the Julian calendar marks 25 December for the Nativity, the corresponding Gregorian date is 7 January. That arithmetic is straightforward and explains why public celebrations and church services occur in early January rather than late December.

How the calendar reform changed timing

In the late sixteenth century a reform adjusted the civil calendar to better match the solar year, creating what we now call the Gregorian calendar. Many countries adopted that adjustment for civil use, but several Orthodox churches, including the Russian Orthodox Church, continued to observe liturgical feast days according to the older Julian reckoning. The result is a persistent offset between the two systems and a different date for the Nativity in national calendars where the Orthodox Church plays a leading role.

Policies in the twentieth century and the rise of New Year’s

After the 1917 political shift the state discouraged public religious observance, and many traditional Christmas customs were curtailed in public life. Festive practices migrated into New Year’s Eve celebrations, which became the main winter holiday for families and for exchanging gifts. That shift left a lasting imprint: for many people the most elaborate domestic celebrations occur around 31 December and 1 January, while church-centered rites re-emerged publicly in the decades after the state’s role diminished.

Religious observances tied to the Nativity

Devout families and parish communities observe a period of fasting in the weeks before the Nativity, followed by a special Christmas Eve known locally as Sochelnik on 6 January. Typical observances include a meatless supper with symbolic dishes and participation in liturgies, often culminating in a midnight service on 7 January in many parishes. These rituals remain central where faith practice is strong, even when other winter festivities are more secular.

Popular season customs and shared figures

The wider holiday stretch includes festive folk customs between Christmas and Epiphany, and traditional characters adapted to modern celebrations. A gift-bringing figure known as Ded Moroz appears mainly around New Year’s, reflecting how some customs shifted from a religious to a broader cultural role. If you plan wardrobe choices for visits or family photos during the season, consider how different events call for different looks.

Multiple dates in practice and what that means for planners

People in the same city may observe more than one date: some follow Western 25 December observances, many treat 31 December–1 January as the principal family festival, and religious communities celebrate the Nativity on 7 January. For visitors it is practical to plan for a holiday window rather than a single day: services, closures and gatherings often span late December through the first week of January.

Practical wardrobe tips for the holiday stretch

When packing for trips or organising family events, think about both secular parties and church services. A classic christmas sweater can work well for casual family evenings and staged photos, while matching christmas pajamas are a handy choice for relaxed mornings with relatives. For coordinated outfits in group shots try womens christmas sweater and mens christmas sweater placed together as a quick reference to paired choices for adults.

Final notes on observing dates abroad

If you will attend services or community celebrations, check local schedules in advance and expect that many institutions treat the holiday season as a span rather than a single date. Planning across 31 December to 8 January covers both the main secular festivities and the Orthodox Nativity observances, making it easier to join whichever tradition your hosts follow.

Modern regional variations

In cities you will find a lively mix of public New Year’s markets, glittering lights and growing Christmas markets, while in smaller towns traditions often keep a quieter, more church-centred tone. The scent of spruce and the smell of freshly baked treats drift through open windows in urban squares and rural lanes alike. Younger people influenced by global media increasingly note 25 December, yet many still join the main family gatherings on 31 December and attend liturgies on 7 January. The result is a season that feels layered and inclusive, with different practices coexisting in the same neighbourhoods.

Political and cultural shifts, with a recent example

Calendar choices sometimes become symbolic. In 2022 some institutions in neighbouring countries chose to mark 25 December as a way to emphasise cultural distinction. Such changes show how dates can carry cultural and political weight beyond religious calendars. For visitors this means being attentive to local cues: a city square may hold a tree-lighting event in late December, while parish services and traditional carols are concentrated around early January.

Practical notes for visitors and planners

Public holidays and business hours vary across the season, so plan with a window in mind rather than a single date. Note: Many workplaces and services close or run reduced hours from late December into the first week of January. Churches publish special liturgy times, and Svyatki festivities between the Nativity and Epiphany can offer folkloric music and communal gatherings. Travellers who want to capture cozy moments should pack layers that match both indoor hospitality and crisp outdoor walks under street lamps. Wearing a soft christmas sweater or slipping into matching christmas pajamas for relaxed mornings can make those shared moments feel warm and memorable. For a subtle option that works for several occasions, try a comfortable christmas loungewear set during long family visits.

How to time celebrations when visiting

If you plan to visit friends or attend services, contact hosts or community centres ahead of time to confirm schedules. Many events fall between 31 December and 8 January, so scheduling around that range increases your chance to join a midnight liturgy, a festive supper on Sochelnik or a public New Year’s concert. Bring a small, meaningful gift if you wish to share hospitality, and choose something that suits the season: fragrant treats, a simple ornament or a pair of playful christmas socks to wear during evenings at home.

Seasonal atmosphere and sensory moments

What makes the season memorable are the small sensory moments: the warmth from a hand-knitted garment against winter air, the crackle of candlelight in a church nave, the distant sound of carols as people move between services, and the mingling aromas of spices and baked goods in a family kitchen. These impressions tie together secular and sacred observances and invite quiet reflection as well as cheerful company.

Frequently asked questions

On which date is Russian Orthodox Christmas celebrated?

It is observed on 7 January according to the civil Gregorian calendar, which corresponds to 25 December on the Julian calendar used by the church.

Why do some people also observe 25 December?

Some Western-oriented communities, expatriates and those influenced by international traditions mark 25 December. This coexists with the larger pattern of New Year’s festivities and the Orthodox Nativity.

Is New Year’s the main family celebration?

For many families New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are the principal secular celebrations, often featuring meals, gift exchanges and the figure of Ded Moroz in public festivities.

How should I plan travel and visits around the season?

Plan across a holiday window from 31 December to 8 January to cover secular events and church observances. Check local timetables and expect some closures and special schedules during that period.

For a comfortable and festive wardrobe idea, consider adding a cosy christmas sweater to your luggage so you can join both laid-back family mornings and more public celebrations with ease.