Kremlin Palace New Year's Show “Zavetnye Kuranty” 2025–2026

The State Kremlin Palace presents the traditional New Year's performance “Zavetnye Kuranty” (“The Cherished Chimes”), which will take place from December 25, 2025 to January 8, 2026. The legendary event, which has existed for more than 80 years, will give young viewers a meeting with a fairy tale and unforgettable holiday impressions.

Unique program of the 2025-2026 season

The New Year's production combines modern technology with classic holiday traditions. Spectators can expect large-scale scenery, original music by talented composers, impressive lighting solutions, and breathtaking special effects. The program includes dynamic scenes featuring professional performers, choreographers, and decorators who create real New Year's magic on the Kremlin stage. Highlights of the performance:

• interactive elements with audience participation
• modern special effects and original music
• professional stage masters
• festive atmosphere for the whole family

Entertainment in the palace foyer

Before the main show begins, a large-scale entertainment program will unfold in the foyer of the Kremlin Palace. Children will be able to take part in contests and round dances, visit themed photo zones and interactive play areas. Little guests will meet Ded Moroz, Snegurochka and other fairy-tale characters, get face painting and transform into their favorite heroes.

The Nutcracker ballet on the Kremlin stage

A special gift for visitors will be the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” by Pyotr Tchaikovsky in the choreography of People's Artist of Russia Andris Liepa. Artists of the “Kremlin Ballet” theater will present the mysterious story with wonderful transformations to the music of the great composer.

Performance schedule

New Year's shows will run from December 25, 2025 to January 8, 2026. Performances are scheduled daily in three sessions: morning at 10:30, afternoon at 14:00, and evening at 18:00. The entertainment program in the foyer lasts forty-five minutes, the main performance lasts one hour and ten minutes. Important dates:

• December 31 — two sessions (10:30 and 14:00)
• January 1 — no performances
• December 27 — filming by the Karusel TV channel at the morning and afternoon sessions
• January 8 — Patriarchal Christmas Tree at 14:00 with participation of the Moscow Patriarchate

Patriarchal Christmas Tree: a special Christmas event

On January 8, a special Christmas session will be held for pupils of Sunday schools, orphanages, and shelters. Before the performance begins, guests will see a festive Christmas program and hear greetings from Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. This charitable event is held annually as part of the social program.

Tickets and prices

Ticket prices for the Kremlin Christmas Tree range from 5,000 to 25,000 rubles depending on the chosen sector. Visitors can choose seats in the balcony, amphitheater, or parterre. Tickets are sold both with and without a New Year's gift — the gift is purchased separately and costs 900 rubles. The ticket price includes:

1. holiday show on the main stage of the palace
2. entertainment program in the foyer
3. accompaniment by experienced counselors
4. cloakroom services

New Year's gift for young viewers

The organizers have prepared a special surprise — an elegant miniature of one of the Kremlin towers, made with historical accuracy. The gift set also includes 400 grams of sweets from the factories of the “Obyedinennye Konditery” holding. The gift can be collected after the performance in a special distribution area in the palace foyer.

How to attend the country's main Christmas tree

You can get to the Kremlin performance not only by buying a ticket yourself, but also by earning it through achievements. Moscow authorities annually invite winners of olympiads, excellent students, and active schoolchildren to the tree. Invitations are also given to children from orphanages and those who have distinguished themselves by heroic deeds. Visiting rules:

• children under 14 are admitted only with adults
• entrance opens one hour and forty-five minutes before the start
• entry is through the Trinity Gate (Kutafya Tower)
• the ticket is valid strictly for the specified day and session

Practical information

Organized groups of children enter through the main entrance accompanied by adults (no more than ten children per accompanying adult). Visitors with disabilities can use the special entrance No. 13 with convenient access. If a child falls ill and misses the performance, upon presentation of the ticket and a medical certificate, the organizers will provide an opportunity to attend another session or receive a New Year's gift at a specially designated time.

History of the legendary holiday

The Kremlin Christmas Tree has been held for more than eighty years. The first performance took place in 1935 in the Column Hall of the House of Unions. Since 1953, the event moved to the Grand Kremlin Palace, and since 1963 the permanent venue has been the State Kremlin Palace, which seats almost six thousand spectators. Outstanding cultural figures have worked on the creation of New Year's productions: composers Alexandra Pakhmutova and Vladimir Shainsky, poets Nikolai Dobronravov and Andrey Usachev, world-famous directors and artists. Every year the organizers present a unique script that is never repeated.

Creative team of the 2025-2026 season

A team of recognized masters is working on the design of the New Year's performance. The scenery is created by Honored Artist Anatoly Nezhny, costumes are designed by artist Svetlana Sinitsyna, music is written by composer Efrem Podgayts. The poetic text belongs to the children's writer and storyteller Andrey Usachev, and the overall direction of the production is carried out by chief director Sergey Tsvetkov.

New Year's Moscow: additional holiday events

In addition to the Kremlin Christmas Tree, the capital offers many other New Year's entertainments. The famous GUM ice rink on Red Square is open from December 1 to March 1. Session prices start from 800 rubles for adults and 300 rubles for children, with the first four morning sessions traditionally free. As part of the “Winter in Moscow” program, about two thousand festive locations will appear throughout the city. From December 12 to January 11, the “Journey to Christmas” festival will take place on thirty-five venues in the capital with fairs, workshops, and theatrical performances. The Kremlin Christmas Tree remains the main New Year's event for thousands of children and their parents, combining the best traditions of holiday performances with modern technologies and creating an unforgettable atmosphere of magic and wonder.