The Most Popular Holiday in Russia, Ranked

Choose the holiday you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:40
In a country as rich in culture and tradition as Russia, holidays play a significant role in unifying and celebrating the vast diversity of its people. From historical commemorations to family gatherings and festive joy, each holiday holds a special place in the hearts of many. However, with so many holidays celebrated across the nation, it can often be a challenge to pinpoint which ones resonate the most with the public. Here, you have the opportunity to cast your vote and see how your favorite holidays compare in popularity with others cherished by fellow voters across Russia. Your participation helps create a dynamic list that reflects real-time preferences and cultural trends. So, go ahead and select your top picks to help form a clear picture of how different holidays are cherished differently across various communities.

What Is the Most Popular Holiday in Russia?

  1. 1
    63
    votes
    Celebrated on January 1st, it is the most popular holiday in Russia. It is a time for family gatherings, exchanging gifts, and fireworks.
    New Year's Day is the first day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. It is celebrated by people worldwide as the beginning of a new year and is typically accompanied by various customs, traditions, and festivities.
    • Date: January 1st
    • Calendar: Gregorian calendar
    • Global Celebration: Celebreated worldwide
    • Customs and Traditions: Varies across different cultures
    • Fireworks: Often accompanied by fireworks displays
    New Year's Day in other rankings
  2. 2
    47
    votes
    International Women's Day
    Karl Maria Stadler (1888 – nach 1943) · Public domain
    Celebrated on March 8th, it is a day to honor and appreciate the women in one's life. It is a public holiday in Russia and is celebrated with flowers, gifts, and special events.
    International Women's Day is a globally recognized holiday celebrated on March 8th each year. It is a day dedicated to honoring the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The holiday aims to promote gender equality and women's rights. International Women's Day fosters appreciation for women's contributions to society and raises awareness about the challenges and issues they face worldwide.
    • Date: March 8th
    • Global Recognition: Celebrated worldwide
    • Purpose: Honoring women's achievements, promoting gender equality
    • Themes: Each year has a specific theme associated with it
    • Rallying Point: Bringing women's issues into the spotlight
  3. 3
    25
    votes

    Victory Day

    Bangladesh government
    Celebrated on May 9th, it is a day to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. It is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and wreath-laying ceremonies.
    Victory Day is a significant festival in Bangladesh that commemorates the victory of the country's independence struggle against Pakistan on December 16, 1971.
    • Date: December 16th
    • Year: 1971
    • Significance: Marks the victory and independence of Bangladesh
    • Celebrations: Grand parades, military displays, fireworks, cultural events
    • Holiday: Public holiday in Bangladesh
    Victory Day in other rankings
  4. 4
    12
    votes
    Celebrated on January 7th, it is a religious holiday that marks the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated with church services, caroling, and traditional foods.
    Orthodox Christmas is a religious holiday in Russia that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. It is observed by the Russian Orthodox Church and is one of the most significant holidays in the country.
    • Date: January 7th
    • Religious Significance: Commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ
    • Liturgical Traditions: Midnight Mass, special services, and religious processions
    • Fasting: Preceded by a period of fasting and prayer
    • Decorations: Churches are adorned with icons, candles, and festive decorations
  5. 5
    15
    votes
    Celebrated in the spring, it is a religious holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated with church services, egg painting, and traditional foods.
    Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is considered the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church. The exact date of Easter varies each year and is determined by the lunar calendar. It is typically celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.
    • Religious Significance: Celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
    • Date: Varies each year based on lunar calendar calculations.
    • Symbolism: Eggs (representing new life), bunnies (symbolizing fertility and rebirth), and crosses (representing Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection).
    • Traditions: Church services, Easter egg hunts, decorating eggs, giving and receiving chocolate eggs and gifts.
    • Lent: The 40-day period of fasting and penance leading up to Easter.
  6. 6
    12
    votes

    Unity Day

    Unified Russia Party
    Celebrated on November 4th, it is a national holiday that celebrates the unity of the Russian people. It is celebrated with parades, concerts, and cultural events.
    Unity Day is a public holiday celebrated annually in Russia on November 4th. It commemorates the liberation of Moscow from Polish occupation in 1612, which marked the end of the Time of Troubles and the beginning of the Romanov Dynasty. The holiday is a symbol of national unity and historical pride.
    • Date: November 4th
    • First Celebrated: 2005
    • Officially Recognized: 2005
    • Purpose: Commemorating the liberation of Moscow from Polish occupation
    • Significance: Symbol of national unity and historical pride
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    Defender of the Fatherland Day
    Alexey Savelyev · Public domain
    Celebrated on February 23rd, it is a day to honor the men who have served in the Russian military. It is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and gifts.
    Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in Russia that celebrates the country's armed forces and the men who serve or have served in them. Originally known as Red Army Day, it was first established in 1922 by the Soviet Union. The holiday was later renamed Defender of the Fatherland Day in 2002 to commemorate all individuals who defend Russia, including those in the military, law enforcement, and other patriotic services.
    • Date: February 23rd
    • Type: Public holiday
    • Significance: Honoring the armed forces and men who serve or have served in Russia
    • Celebrated By: Russia
    • Origin: Established in 1922 as Red Army Day
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    Celebrated in February or March, it is a holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is celebrated with traditional foods, games, and festivities.
    Maslenitsa is a traditional Russian holiday that marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is widely celebrated as a week-long festival filled with various cultural and religious activities.
    • Duration: Typically lasts for seven days, starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday.
    • Symbolism: Maslenitsa symbolizes the saying goodbye to winter, welcoming spring, and the celebration of fertility and the revival of nature.
    • Pancakes (Blini): One of the most distinctive features of Maslenitsa is the consumption of pancakes (blini), which are round and golden like the sun. They represent the warmth and light of spring.
    • Bonfire: On the first day of Maslenitsa, a large bonfire is lit to purify the surroundings and ward off evil spirits.
    • Traditional Costumes: During Maslenitsa, people often dress in traditional costumes and participate in various processions and performances.
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    National Flag Day
    Barciur at Polish Wikipedia · Public domain
    Celebrated on August 22nd, it is a day to honor the Russian flag and its symbolism. It is celebrated with flag-raising ceremonies, parades, and cultural events.
    National Flag Day is a holiday celebrated in many countries around the world to honor and commemorate the national flag. It is a day dedicated to expressing patriotism and pride in one's country through the display of the national flag.
    • Date: The date of National Flag Day varies from country to country, but it is often observed on the anniversary of the adoption of the national flag.
    • Historical Significance: National Flag Day serves as a reminder of the country's history, struggle for independence, and the values represented by the national flag.
    • Flag Etiquette: On National Flag Day, proper flag etiquette is emphasized, including proper handling, folding, and displaying of the national flag.
    • Patriotic Celebrations: The day is often marked by various patriotic celebrations, such as parades, flag-raising ceremonies, fireworks, and cultural events.
    • Education and Awareness: National Flag Day also involves educational activities promoting the significance and symbolism of the national flag among citizens, especially children.
    National Flag Day in other rankings
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    Day of Russia
    Alex omen · CC BY 3.0
    Celebrated on June 12th, it is a national holiday that celebrates the independence of Russia. It is celebrated with parades, concerts, and cultural events.

Missing your favorite holiday?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular holiday

  1. Cultural significance
    Consider the historical and cultural importance of the holiday in Russia. Traditionally significant holidays usually draw more attention and participation across various regions.
  2. Public participation
    Evaluate the level of public involvement and how widely the holiday is celebrated among the Russian population. Popular holidays tend to attract mass gatherings, parties, and events.
  3. National holidays
    Official public holidays are usually widely celebrated across Russia. These holidays often involve days off work, school, and special events.
  4. Religious influence
    As the majority of Russians identify as Orthodox Christians, consider the impact of religious holidays in the list of popular holidays in Russia. Note that other religious holidays of ethnic and religious minorities may also be taken into account.
  5. Regional differences
    Keep in mind that Russia is a vast country with diverse cultural and regional differences. The popularity of some holidays may vary across different regions.
  6. Tradition and customs
    Local traditions and customs can significantly impact the popularity of holidays in a particular area. Research the customs and rituals associated with certain holidays and how they influence the celebrations across Russia.
  7. Media coverage
    Popularity can be influenced by the level of media attention a holiday receives. High-profile holidays, covered extensively by television, newspapers, and online platforms, will likely be widely celebrated.
  8. Economic impact
    Certain holidays have a significant impact on the economy, typically as a result of increased consumer spending or tourism. These holidays may be considered more popular due to their economic influence.
  9. Food and drink
    Some holidays, especially those celebrated with feasts or specific dishes, may be more popular due to their association with food and drink.
  10. Entertainment and events
    Large-scale events, concerts, parades, and performances that occur during specific holidays can factor into the overall popularity of the celebration.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular holiday in Russia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or holiday is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2320 views
  • 198 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each holiday once every 24 hours. The rank of each holiday is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular holiday in russia

Russia is a country with a rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. When it comes to holidays, Russians have a lot to celebrate throughout the year. However, there is one holiday that stands out as the most popular – New Year's Eve. In Russia, New Year's Eve is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement. It is a time for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals. The celebrations usually start on December 31st and continue until the early hours of January 1st. One of the most iconic symbols of the New Year's festivities in Russia is the "New Year's tree," which is similar to a Christmas tree. It is decorated with colorful lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Another popular tradition is the "Olivier salad," a special dish made of potatoes, carrots, pickles, and mayonnaise, which is a staple of the New Year's Eve dinner table. Overall, New Year's Eve is a beloved holiday in Russia that brings people together and spreads joy and happiness.

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