Despite the fact that during the new year, according to most Russians, there should be snow on the street, in St. Petersburg this does not happen every time. However, the New Year's view of the northern capital can delight every guest. The city is immersed in a special festive atmosphere, an ice palace is being erected, and general fun reigns everywhere.
New Year's program
There are countless entertainments and folk amusements in New Year's St. Petersburg. There are quite a few of them at normal times, but on this winter holiday you can really take a walk. The special atmosphere will not let anyone get bored.
A must-see program is a visit to the Hermitage, with its unique collection of treasures of world art, paintings, which cannot be found equal in other museums in the world. The Russian Museum also boasts a huge collection of amazing works of art. In general, there are a lot of museums in St. Petersburg, the expositions are very different, and whatever you are interested in, you will always find there something to visit, you will definitely learn a lot of new things.
Hiking around the city is another must-have entertainment in St. Petersburg. The architecture of the city is its separate attraction. Not every city has so many beautiful buildings and sculptures, it is not for nothing that St. Petersburg is considered one of the most beautiful places in Europe. The snow-covered Peter and Paul Fortress, St. Isaac's and Kazan Cathedrals, as well as many other buildings - the northern capital has something to show guests.
Not only children, but also many adults who are also ready to remember this entertainment can be poured on an ice slide not far from the Peter and Paul Fortress. Enterprising young people immediately offer ice cakes and old car tires for rent, which glide perfectly, so that real speed when descending is guaranteed. On the territory of the fortress itself, an ice sculpture festival is held every winter, which is definitely worth a visit - it is very beautiful, especially when the ice is illuminated by lanterns.
On the eve of the new year, an identical procession of Father Frost takes place along Nevsky Prospekt, he is met at the Vitebsky railway station, directly from Veliky Ustyug. It is he who officially "opens" the New Year holidays.
On December 31, in the late afternoon, mass festivities begin throughout the city. People gather in Dvorovaya Square, in its very center there is a huge city Christmas tree. Scenes are everywhere where festive performances take place. Even the most fastidious viewer will find something interesting for himself. Just before the clock strikes, the president's address is broadcast on large screens installed on the square.
Another epicenter of the holiday is located on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island. There is also a huge Christmas tree, around which folk festivities continue all New Year's Eve.
Starting from Catholic Christmas and throughout all New Year's holidays, there is a fair on Ostrovsky Square, which sells all kinds of sweets and souvenirs. Also there are all kinds of contests in which you can win something.
Organizational moments
Usually, on New Year's holidays, people go to St. Petersburg for about a week or two. Try to book hotels and train or plane tickets in advance. In recent years, the excitement around the winter holidays in St. Petersburg has increased, there is a risk that there will simply be no places.
Remember that on New Year's Eve, car traffic on Nevsky Prospekt stops. The metro works as usual, that is, it does not work at night either, although it usually opens on January 1 a little earlier, at about 4 am. The cost of a taxi skyrockets, especially near Palace Square - in the very center of the holiday, so it is recommended to catch the car a couple of blocks away from it in order to save at least a little.
