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Get ready to celebrate Novy God, the Russian New Year, on January 14! This holiday has been celebrated in Russia since the 10th century and is a time for families to come together and honor their traditions. It's a joyous occasion filled with delicious food, colorful decorations, and joyful celebrations that last for several days. The most iconic symbol of Novy God is the "New Year's Tree", which is similar to a Christmas tree but decorated with traditional Russian ornaments. So let's raise our glasses and toast to new beginnings on this festive day!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1700</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>New Year's Day Change</div><div class='timeline-text'>Czar Peter the Great changed the New Year’s celebration from September 1 to January 14 following the Julian calendar.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1918</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Julian to Gregorian Calendar</div><div class='timeline-text'>Communist Russia adopted the Gregorian calendar, moving many holidays including New Year's to be celebrated 13 days later.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1925</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>New Year's Day to January 1</div><div class='timeline-text'>Influenced by the West, January 1 was established as New Year's Day leaving January 14 as the Old New Year (Novy God).</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1935</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Introduction of Grandfather Frost</div><div class='timeline-text'>To replace the religious figure of Santa Claus, the secular character of Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) was introduced as a part of the New Year's celebration.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div the='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Post-Soviet Era Revival</div><div class='timeline-text'>Following the fall of the Soviet Union, many Russian people began celebrating Novy God as part of a revitalised interest in pre-Soviet traditions.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a Russian feast</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family over for a traditional Russian feast to celebrate Novy God. Serve dishes like borsch, pelmeni, and blini to ring in the new year with delicious food.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn Russian traditions</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to learn about traditional Russian customs and traditions surrounding Novy God. This can include activities like decorating a New Year's tree or participating in a fortune-telling ritual.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a Russian movie marathon</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and watch popular Russian films to get into the spirit of Novy God. Some suggestions include "The Irony of Fate" or "Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears."</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a Russian New Year's party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Check local event listings for Russian New Year's parties in your area. This can be a great way to celebrate with other members of the Russian community and experience the holiday in a traditional setting.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make your own Russian-inspired decorations</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get creative and make your own decorations inspired by Russian culture and traditions. This can include hand-painted nesting dolls, paper snowflakes, or traditional ornaments.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a time for family and loved ones</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Novy God is not just about ringing in the new year, it's also about spending quality time with your family and friends. In Russian culture, it is customary to gather together on New Year's Eve for a big feast, exchange gifts and watch the fireworks together.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>There are fun traditions and customs</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Russian New Year is full of unique traditions and customs that make this holiday so special. From decorating trees with lights and ornaments to placing coins under plates for good luck, there are plenty of fun activities to participate in during this festive time.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>The food and drinks are delicious</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Just like any other holiday, food plays a huge role in Novy God celebrations. Traditional dishes like Olivier salad, borscht, and blini are commonly served alongside champagne or vodka. It's a time to indulge in delicious food and drinks with loved ones!</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Novy God is not celebrated on January 1st</h3><p class='facts-text'>Unlike the widely recognized New Year's Day on January 1st, Novy God or Russian New Year is celebrated on January 14th, aligning with the old Julian calendar.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Novy God Has Its Own Santa Claus</h3><p class='facts-text'>Instead of Santa Claus, Russia has Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), who deliver gifts to the children during the celebration of Novy God.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Novy God Features a Famous Salad</h3><p class='facts-text'>Olivier Salad, also known as 'Russian salad,' is a traditional dish prepared and served during the Novy God celebration, made from chopped vegetables, meat, and mayonnaise.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Novy God Celebrations Include a Family Feast and TV Specials</h3><p class='facts-text'>Large family gatherings and televised concerts featuring famous Russian artists are integral parts of the Novy God celebration, bringing everyone together in joy and harmony.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><h3 class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>It's a Week-Long Holiday in Russia</h3><p class='facts-text'>The New Year holiday extends from January 1 to January 8 in Russia, with the final celebration, Novy God, concluding the week-long festivity on January 14th.</p></div></div>
Novy God is celebrated on January 14 every year. In 2024, Novy God will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Jan 14
Saturday
2024
Jan 14
Sunday
2025
Jan 14
Tuesday
2026
Jan 14
Wednesday
2027
Jan 14
Thursday
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