Press releases

Christmas and New Year 2018 in Belarus

The Christmas and New Year holidays are a truly magical time filled with warm meetings with friends, inspiration and  anticipation of a miracle. We are sure that you are already planning your New Year holidays 2018 and believe that some intriguing ideas from Belarus will come in handy. You are always welcome to visit our country!

In Belarus you can see the famous Belarusian attractions (they are no less beautiful in winter and some have special gifts in store for their visitors ahead of Christmas), relax in the health resorts, visit the residence of the Belarusian Grandfather Frost, that was, by the way, named the most popular in the CIS in the last tourist rankings, enjoy the hospitality of agro- and eco- tourism farms, participate in the old rituals, and taste the most delicious holiday dishes of the national cuisine.

Where to go in Belarus in winter, what to see and how to celebrate the New Year 2018 in our report ahead of the holidays!

Nine Christmas recommendations from the Must Do list in Belarus:

... to get acquainted with Grandfather Frost and walk along the main thoroughfare of Minsk with your favorite fairytale characters

The Belarusian Grandfather Frost lives in the ancient Belovezhskaya Pushcha and receives visitors year round. But during the winter holidays, residences and even small lodges of Grandfather Frost open across the entire country. And this is good news because everyone should get a portion of good mood and entertainment these days! In addition, every local Grandfather Frost has its unusual story to tell.

Festive processions and street performances

Theatrical procession of Grandfather Frosts and Snow Maidens in Minsk

When: 23 December (17.00)
Where: Independence Square – Independence Avenue – Lenin Street – Pobeditelei Avenue - Sports Palace, Minsk
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Grandfather Frost’s House in the Gorky Park, Minsk

When: from 22 December (10.30 to 18.30); 7 January -Christmas performances
Where: Maksim Gorky Central Children's Park, Minsk
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Show project “New Year adventures in the magic country”

When: 25 December-5 January (17.00 and 20.30)
Where: Upper Town, Minsk
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... to see the most popular sights of Minsk

During the holidays, Minskers and visitors of the city can go on a Christmas trip around Minsk. In addition to  the fascinating excursion and the story about the most interesting facts about the city, the travelers may expect a rich entertainment program.

Bass-tours “New Year Bus” in Minsk

When: 23, 25, 28, 30 December and 3 January 2018 
Where: 1 Kirova Street, Minsk

 

 

“Magic Bus”: free tours around Minsk

When: 23-25; 28, 30 December; 3, 6 January (duration: 2 hours)
Where: Minsk railway station, Minsk-Passazhirsky station

Children's Railway Christmas Express Train in Minsk

When: 22, 28 December and 1 January (from 13.30 to 16.30);
23, 24, 25, 30 December and 6, 7 January (from 10.30 to 16.30);
27, 29, 31 December (from 10.30 to 13.30).

Where: Zaslonov Children's Railway in Minsk 
More

... to listen to favorite Christmas and New Year songs

Christmas concerts and shows

Concert "Christmas meeting with Gleb Matveychuk”

When: 23 December  
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk

 

 

Masterpieces of World’s Organ Art: Hiroko Inoue (Japan)

When: 23 December 
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonic, Minsk

 

 

Great Christmas Concert from Minsk Classic Ensemble

When: 24 December 
Where: Upper Town Concert Hall, Minsk

 

 

Christmas at Philharmonics: State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Belarus

When: 26 December
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonics, Minsk

 

New Year with Metamorphose Orchestra in Minsk

When: 28 December
Where: Upper Town Concert Hall, Minsk

 

 

Viennese New Year: Minsk-Classic Ensemble'

When: 29 December
Where: Upper Town Concert Hall, Minsk

 

 

New Year at Philharmonic: State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Belarus

When: 30 December (18.00)
Where: Belarusian State Philharmonics, Minsk

 

Jazz New Year 2018: Zane Massey and Roy Young (USA) & ''Jazz–Quintet''

When: 31 December
Where: Jazz Club, Palace of the Republic, Minsk

 

Big New Year Concert from Olympia Classic: Johann STRAUSS

When: 13 January (16.00 and 19.00)
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk

 

…to become a hero of a fascinating New Year’s story

New Year’s theater plays and shows

New Year’s Tale in Circus

When: 15 December – 14 January
Where: Belarusian State Circus, Minsk

 

 

 

National New Year Tree show for children

When: 22 December – 6 January
Where: Palace of the Republic, Minsk
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Five Minutes Until New Year musical for children

When: 22 December
Where: MAZ cultural center, Minsk

 

 

New Year in Water Park

When: 23, 25, 29, 30 December and 3–7 January (17.00–20.00)
Where: Lebyazhy Water Park, Minsk

 

 

 

Once in a Snowy Kingdom musical

When: 26 December – 6 January
Where: 14 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk

 

…to see an exclusive collection of Christmas tree decorations  

New Year’s exhibitions

Museum of Christmas Decorations in Minsk

When: 10 October – 15 January
Where: Galleria Minsk shopping mall, Minsk
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Krakow Balteika at the National History Museum

When: 12 December – 14 January
Where: National History Museum of Belarus, Minsk
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Exhibition of Christmas Decorations at the Gomel Palace

When: since 25 November
Where: Palace of Rumyantsevs and Paskeviches, Gomel
More

 

…to travel to the distant past, meet dukes and attend a court ball

New Year at the Radziwills’ Palace

When: 2–8 and 13–14 January 2018
Where: Nesvizh Castle, Minsk Oblast
More

 

 

Christmas Ball in Mir Castle

When: 5 January
Where: Mir Castle, Grodno Oblast

 

 

Children’s Christmas balls in Mir Castle

When: 5-7 January
Where: Mir Castle, Grodno Oblast

 

 

Big New Year Ball in Bolshoi Theater

When: 8.30 p.m., 13 January
Where: Bolshoi Theater of Belarus, Minsk

 

 

Christmas Ball featuring Russian ballet stars

When: 14 January
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, Minsk

 

 

…buy Belarusians souvenirs at Christmas fairs

Christmas Fair in Minsk

When: 15 December – 15 January
Where: October Square and territory near the Palace of Sports, Minsk

 

 

New Year Market in Minsk

When: 20-31 December
Where: Galleria Minsk

 

 

New Year Fair with souvenirs and delicacies

When: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., 21-29 December
10 a.m. -5 p.m., 30 December
Where: Palace of Arts, Minsk

 

Christmas Star Fair

When: 23 December
Where: Palace of Sports, Minsk

 

 

…share the warmth of your soul with children at the biggest Christmas party in Belarus

New Year and Christmas are the time for good deeds and sincere help to people around us. Charity campaigns Wonders for Christmas, Putting Smiles on Children’s Faces, Presents from Father Frost, and the nationwide charity campaign Our Children including about 550 New Year performances and matinees at cultural institutions, orphanages, social and pedagogical centers, rest homes for the elderly were launched in December. All people can take part in this charity marathon.

…make New Year’s wishes when the clock of the Minsk City Hall strikes twelve

The 2018 New Year celebrations in Minsk will be full of good cheer and friendliness. The most spectacular events with the participation of Belarusian singers and bands will take place at 22 venues. There will be lots of cheerful contests, dancing, and other entertainments. Minsk will celebrate the first night of the year with the concert Happy New Year, Minsk! The show will start at 11 p.m. on 31 December. The fireworks will light up the sky at the end of the concert.