Festive Lights Illuminate Minsk: The Holiday Season Begins

On December 10, the festive lights were lit in Minsk, officially marking the start of the winter holiday season. The ceremonial lighting of Belarus's main Christmas tree on Oktyabrskaya Square took place at 5:00 PM. This event became the focal point of the pre-New Year's atmosphere in the capital.

Features of the New Year's Lighting

According to the director of the state enterprise "Mingorsvet," Slavomir Grinevich, the festive lights will delight Minsk residents and city guests from 5:00 PM to midnight on weekdays, and throughout the night on New Year's Eve, the Old New Year, as well as Catholic and Orthodox Christmas. The illumination is scheduled to remain in operation until January 14, 2025. This year, the city is adorned with approximately 250 kilometers of garlands and over 550 light structures, 125 of which are three-dimensional figures. A new addition includes lighting installations on 14 new sites, such as Akademika Krasina Street, the overpass on Chkalova Street, and festively decorated trees in Lenin Square.

The Main Christmas Tree of Belarus

The main Christmas tree on Oktyabrskaya Square impresses with its scale. It is decorated with 3.2 kilometers of garlands, over 20,000 pixels, and 108 light trails. Thanks to 60 unique light-dynamic scenarios, the tree constantly changes its appearance, creating a magical ambiance.

New Lighting Feature

Another surprise will be a new lighting installation in the shape of a UFO, which will appear in the capital closer to the New Year celebrations. Its exact location remains a secret to maintain intrigue.

Energy-Efficient Technologies

All the New Year's illumination is based on LED technologies, which significantly reduce energy consumption. For instance, this year, energy usage per meter of garland was reduced to 7.6 watts, which is lower than last year's figures. Minsk continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the most brightly decorated cities for the New Year. The lit-up decorations create a festive atmosphere, bringing together residents and visitors in anticipation of magical winter celebrations.