The New Year holidays give us the long-awaited break from everyday worries. Strolling through the beautifully decorated city, buying gifts and treats at the fairs, ice skating, tubing, and riding reindeer, a cozy home atmosphere - all of this will turn the meeting of 2026 into a bright event that will be remembered for a long time. How do we celebrate the New Year holidays in 2026? The New Year holidays in 2026 will last for 12 days - from December 31 to January 11. This period will include both New Year and Christmas celebrations. The day before the holiday, December 31, falls on a Wednesday this year. Photo: Evgeny Popov / Shutterstock / FOTODOM How to prepare for the New Year celebration? The pre-holiday season is always full of chores - pleasant as they may be, they still take up a lot of time. If you want to fully observe New Year traditions, think not only about buying a Christmas tree but also about original decorations and cozy home decor. It is equally important to choose and buy gifts for loved ones and friends. And it is also advisable to wrap them beautifully (and don’t forget to add colorful cards with good wishes to the gifts). To meet the holiday according to all astrological recommendations, study the lucky colors, rituals, and menu for the Year of the Fire Horse. You can buy products, delicacies, and sweets for the festive table at the markets and numerous fairs that abound in the pre-holiday capital. If you don’t have time to run around the shops, gifts for friends and family can always be ordered online. Photo: OZIimages / Shutterstock / FOTODOM How has Moscow been decorated for the New Year? Moscow will don festive attire by mid-December, and in the days leading up to the holiday, the city will finally transform into a world of winter romance. Lavishly decorated Christmas trees in city squares, a magical forest on New Arbat and Manezhnaya Square, light arches, and fantastic installations - welcome to the fairy-tale places of the New Year capital! The festive atmosphere reigns not only in the center - picturesque landscapes can be found in any district of Moscow. Photo: na