New Year 2025-2026 at VDNKh: Festive Program, Ice Shows and Skating Rink

The country's main exhibition traditionally becomes the epicenter of New Year's celebrations in the capital. The 2025-2026 winter season promises unforgettable experiences for Muscovites and city guests: from large-scale ice performances to intimate theatrical productions. Here’s everything you need to know about the festive program, the skating rink schedule, and the features of New Year's leisure on the territory of the legendary park complex.

New Year's event program at VDNKh

The exhibition complex turns into a magnet for winter holiday lovers every year. The organizers have prepared a rich lineup of events that starts well before New Year's Eve and continues throughout January.

New Year's Fair “Gift Factory”

From December 25, 2025 to January 11, 2026, a festive fair will unfold across the park. Trading pavilions will be located near Pavilion No. 227 and on the square behind the Slavic Writing Museum “Slovo”. Visitors can expect a wide assortment of goods:

• Handcrafted items by artisans from various regions of Russia
• Souvenir products made from natural materials: stone, leather, wood
• Exclusive Christmas tree decorations, including vintage toys
• Traditional treats and confectionery
• Handmade decorative candles

The gastronomic zone will offer dishes from world cuisines: Czech trdelníks, Peking duck, Swiss raclette, Scandinavian open sandwiches. Fans of warming drinks will appreciate Siberian tea brewed with spruce cones.

Theatrical show “Portal to the World of Gifts”

On New Year's Eve, guests will enjoy a large-scale entertainment program on the Cosmonauts Alley. Celebrations start at 21:00 and end at 2:30. The program includes:

• Interactive photo zones with festive decorations
• Light installations and light-and-music shows
• Ice ballet featuring professional performers
• Greetings from the main holiday symbols — Ded Moroz and Snegurochka

Attendance requires a 300-ruble skating rink ticket, which grants access to all free events of the evening program.

Children’s performance “Visiting Ded Moroz”

On December 30, a special show for young viewers aged 3–8 will take place in the Kazakhstan Pavilion. The intimate hall seats 140 people, creating a cozy family holiday atmosphere. The program includes:

• Meeting magical characters from winter fairy tales
• Traditional round dances around the New Year tree
• Bubble show
• Foam show
• Interactive games and contests

What awaits visitors on New Year’s Eve 2025-2026

The central venues of the exhibition complex have prepared a multi-hour entertainment program. Although the official lineup for the current season is still being finalized, you can rely on the format of previous years, which traditionally retains its main elements.

Street theatrical performances

Several interactive programs take place near the first pavilion. Street theater actors, circus troupes, and musicians perform 30-minute shows in rotation from 21:00 to 01:00. Between performances, New Year’s photo sessions with the artists are organized.

Performances on the Central Alley

Two large-scale theatrical shows take place on the park’s main artery:

• “New Year’s Miracle” — from 21:15 to 22:00
• “The Staff of Wishes” — from 22:30 to 23:15

During breaks, a dance floor with DJ accompaniment operates. Cover bands perform classic New Year songs, creating a festive mood.

Ice shows by figure skating stars

Professional figure skaters perform on the main skating rink. Visitors can enjoy demonstration programs, master classes for those who wish, and a grand hour-long ice fairy tale. A skating session ticket is required to attend the ice shows.

Official part of the celebration

The traditional Kremlin chimes are broadcast on large screens throughout the park. Greetings from the country’s and city’s top officials become the climax of the evening program. After midnight, the disco continues on the Central Alley with acrobats and dance groups until 01:00.

Midnight ice concert

The festive night concludes with a grand ice concert featuring circus artists, instrumental ensembles, and figure skaters. The animation program and greetings from fairy-tale characters last until 2:30.

VDNKh skating rink operating hours during the holidays

The complex’s main ice arena opened the winter season on November 25, 2025. It is the largest skating rink in the capital, capable of accommodating up to 4,500 visitors at once.

Schedule

• Weekdays: 11:00 – 23:00
• Weekends and holidays: 10:00 – 23:00
• Closed: Monday
• Technical break: daily 15:00 – 17:00

Ticket and rental prices

Rink tickets can be purchased in several ways:

• On the official VDNKh portal
• On the dedicated rink website
• At the ticket offices near the Main Entrance arch

Entrance ticket price last season started at 300 rubles. Equipment rental is significantly more expensive — from 1,000 rubles per set.

Additional winter events on the exhibition grounds

In addition to the New Year program, the complex offers a variety of cultural and educational activities.

Winter season educational program

The VDNKh Lecture Hall is holding its ninth season of free educational meetings. Visitors can attend:

• Lectures by renowned scientists and researchers
• Meetings dedicated to linguistics and philology
• Special program for the 85th anniversary of the exhibition complex

Theatrical art laboratory

Leading Moscow theaters perform on the park’s stages: Theater of Nations, Brusnikin Workshop, Yuri Butusov Workshop. The Gnessin Baroque ensemble presents the Christmas program, and Bolshoi Theatre soloists give concerts in the “Worker and Kolkhoz Woman” pavilion.

Special December–January events

• December 6: hockey master classes near Pavilion No. 1 in honor of All-Russian Hockey Day
• December 20: charity festival near Pavilion No. 57 with gift-making workshops for children from social institutions
• January 2–11: family program with cartoon screenings and theatrical performances on the square behind the “Slovo” museum

Museum and exhibition program

More than 30 museum venues are open during winter. Until February, Pavilion No. 1 “Central” hosts the exhibition “The Image of Moscow in Russian Art from the Collection of the State Russian Museum” featuring works by Apollinary Vasnetsov, Vasily Surikov, and Vasily Vereshchagin. The “Cosmonautics and Aviation” center offers themed tours about celebrating New Year at an orbital station. Guided walks around the grounds introduce the complex’s history and holiday traditions.

Intellectual meetings

The project “Owls Are Not What They Seem” invites guests to philosophical discussions. Using examples from literary characters and movie heroes, participants explore questions about the meaning of life and one’s calling.

How to get to VDNKh during the New Year holidays

Public transport

The most convenient way is the metro. VDNKh station is on the Kaluzhsko-Rizhskaya (orange) line between Botanichesky Sad and Alekseevskaya stations. Follow the signs to the city exit. City buses also run to the complex. During the holidays, expect possible delays due to heavy traffic.

Private transport

When planning a trip by car or taxi, allow extra time for traffic jams and finding parking. On New Year’s Eve and holidays, the area is especially crowded.

For guests from other regions

Visitors from other cities can reach Moscow by train, car, or plane. From railway stations and airports, the metro or a pre-booked transfer is the most convenient way to VDNKh.

Useful information for visitors

Visit planning tips

1. Festive events run from morning until late evening, so dress warmly — most activities take place outdoors.
2. Ice shows are the hallmark of VDNKh’s New Year program. In 2024, the capital’s largest skating rink opened here.
3. The children’s program includes meetings with Ded Moroz and Snegurochka, fairy-tale character parades, Christmas tree exhibitions, and theatrical performances.
4. Fairs feature goods from across Russia: souvenirs, decorations, sweets, toys, and handmade items.
5. The holiday program runs throughout the New Year holidays, so you don’t have to come on January 1 — choose any convenient date.

Important details

Some events have age restrictions. Check details with organizers or when purchasing tickets. It’s best to buy tickets in advance on official platforms to avoid queues during the holidays. For a comfortable visit to the skating rink, book sessions online in advance. This saves time and guarantees your preferred time slot.

Where to watch the festive events

The Central Alley, stretching from the Main Entrance arch to Pavilion No. 1, becomes the main artery of the celebration. This is where the main performances and concerts take place. The best views are from:

• Friendship of Peoples Square
• Industry Square near the Vostok rocket model
• The area around the main skating rink

In previous years, fireworks were held on the Central Alley, but in recent seasons they have been replaced by light-and-music shows and laser installations.

Conclusion: why celebrate New Year at VDNKh

Russia’s main exhibition offers an alternative to the traditional home celebration. A large-scale entertainment program, professional ice shows, diverse cultural events, and a festive atmosphere make VDNKh the ideal place to welcome the new year with family or friends. The complex is designed for thousands of simultaneous visitors, avoiding overcrowding even at peak times. Numerous venues, pavilions, and relaxation areas allow everyone to find something to enjoy — from active skating to quiet museum visits. The 2025-2026 New Year season at VDNKh promises to be a bright and memorable event for Muscovites and guests of the capital of all ages.