Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Participants in the Special Military Operation (SMO) courageously defend the interests of our country and selflessly protect it. Every vacation for service members, especially if it falls during the winter holidays, brings great joy. They strive to spend this time in their native places, surrounded by loved ones, and to experience the warmth of their hearts in a short period of time. Those who celebrate 2026 on the front lines will be waiting for good news and gifts from home, and veterans who have completed their service are happy to know they are appreciated, respected, and supported. For those who defended them and their families, whether they were able to reunite for the holidays or not, it is important to feel that they are not alone and that even on the coldest winter night, there is room for the lights of New Year's garlands and the glow of the Christmas star.
In December and January, Moscow is planning numerous events, gift presentations, charity events, and special programs for military personnel and their families. The capital's focus is on the wives, children, and parents of service members, the families of fallen soldiers, veterans, as well as those serving in combat zones or on leave.
Gifts, Christmas trees and concerts
In anticipation of the holidays, children will receive invitations to Christmas trees and sweet treats, while adults will receive New Year's treats. For the youngest members of military families—children aged three to 13—we have prepared sweet gifts and tickets to the Mayor's Christmas tree at Gostiny Dvor. The performances will run from December 28 to January 11.
An unusual team of over 100 Santa Clauses, chosen from among the employees, is responsible for delivering sweet gifts. Department of Labor and Social Protection of the Population Moscow. Each of them underwent "magical" training to put on a mini-performance for children.
New Year's holiday packages are already being delivered to the wives and parents of special military operation participants serving in combat zones, as well as veterans who have completed their service. A New Year's contact center representative will contact each family in advance to arrange a convenient delivery time. Gifts can also be picked up in person at the Unified Support Center for Special Military Operation Participants and Their Families (8 Beregovoy Proezd, Bldg. 2) daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM until December 30, and from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM from January 2 to 9. For additional information, please call the New Year's contact center at 7 499 530-58-30 daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
In anticipation of the New Year, the Unified Support Center has organized a special program for SVO participants and their families. Throughout December, guests can attend performances, participate in creative workshops, prepare gifts for loved ones, plan a New Year's menu, and more. On December 17, there will be a New Year's concert by students of the Diana Gurtskaya Center for Social Integration, along with a vocal master class led by People's Artist of Russia Diana Gurtskaya. The marathon will culminate on December 20 with an interactive family tour of the center's various venues. The program includes a New Year's performance, a dance flash mob, a music quiz, and much more.
Free tours, performances, and skating rinks
The V.V. Mayakovsky State Museum invites SVO members and their families to tour the memorial apartments: on Studenetsky Lane (call 7 495 605-19-29 to register) and on Bolshaya Presnya (call 7 499 255-01-86 to register). A lecture by the curators of the exhibition "Victory Park: Images of Memory in Contemporary Russian Art" is scheduled for January 13 at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Petrovka. Guests will also learn about the ancient burial mound of Saur-Mogila, located in the Donetsk People's Republic. The memorial complex was restored by Russian forces in 2022. Registration for the lecture can be done through Mosbilet.
The Zurab Tsereteli Museum and Studio will be offering special tours and interactive programs from December 16th to 30th. Registration is available by calling: 7 495 650-73-58. The Alexander Shilov Gallery invites you to free themed tours, "They Fought for Their Country!", dedicated to the defenders of the Fatherland as depicted by Hero of Labor of the Russian Federation, People's Artist of the USSR, and Academician of the Russian Academy of Arts Alexander Shilov. To attend these events, please register in advance by calling the institution at 7 495 697-73-10. Soldiers of the Special Military District and their families can visit the A.S. Pushkin State Museum and the Alexander Shilov Gallery free of charge. Tickets are available at the box office.
From December 22, 2025, to January 11, 2026, more than 800 children and adults from the families of SVO soldiers will attend 42 performances at Moscow theaters free of charge. Libraries and cultural centers will host more than 100 free events for children, including those from the families of SVO soldiers, as part of the New Year's celebrations.
In addition, all events within the framework of the project will be held at the Moskino cinema park Winter in Moscow will be free for the country's defenders and their families. The program includes vibrant cinema weekends with master classes and film screenings, and a New Year's performance for children on the stage. Gonzaga Theatre, participation in a large-scale New Year's celebration, as well as all thematic events within the framework New Year's holidaysYou can get free tickets through the service Mosbilet.
In addition, free tickets are provided for visiting the new skating rink in the Olympic complex. LuzhnikiThese can be obtained by presenting documents at the skating rink's ticket office. Also, throughout the winter season, SVO participants and their families will be able to participate in winter sports free of charge at the Vorobyovy Gory ski resort by pre-registration, as well as receive a discount on sports equipment rental.
Project Made in Moscow The "Gift Factory" art pavilion on Bolotnaya Square will host a series of free events. Over 200 children of military personnel will attend an immersive performance dedicated to the Russian folk tale "The Twelve Months." The "Made in Moscow" New Year's celebrations will run from December 23rd to January 10th in the morning. Children will enjoy interactive activities, contests, and creative workshops. Each child will have the opportunity to make a wish and send a letter to Santa Claus, as well as receive a gift from local brands. Throughout the winter, Bolotnaya Square will host free events, creative workshops, and ice skating for families of the Air Defense Forces (with a valid ID, free skates and access to the ice rink without registration or waiting in line).
As part of the project "Moscow is helping" Moscow entrepreneurs participating in the "Made in Moscow" project will collect humanitarian aid for military personnel and residents of the new regions, including New Year's gifts and consumer goods. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a charitable foundation to support the needs of the Air Defense Forces and the families of service members.
Numerous events aimed at supporting special military operation participants, their families, demobilized soldiers, residents of the country's new territories, and people in difficult life situations are already taking place in the capital as part of the city festival "Journey to Christmas" and the "Winter in Moscow" project. These initiatives combine a festive atmosphere, sports, art, and charity, helping to create a New Year's miracle and strengthen the spirit of unity. All events are free and open by invitation. Learn more about them inmaterial.
Charity events
Everyone can share their concern and support the country's defenders and their loved ones. To this end, the city is hosting a variety of charity events, from the festive "Hanging Mandarin" tocapital fairs to initiatives that can help solve larger problems.
For example, at the Winter in Moscow sites, New Year's gifts are collected for SVO participants, children from new regions, and shelter animals. Gift Factory pavilions have been opened for this purpose. For example, they are located atRed Square, Tverskaya Square, and Novy Arbat. More than 30 of these will be open throughout the city until February 28. collection pointsAt the Gift Factory pavilions, anyone can donate men's gift sets, personal hygiene products, insoles, socks, mittens, gloves, and thermal underwear. Children living in new regions will find New Year's sweets, construction sets, and school supplies useful, as well as craft kits and Christmas tree decorations.
As part of the "Feed a Friend" campaign, donations of pet supplies are also being offered for evacuated animals living in shelters in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. Reflective bracelets, stickers, and other items that enhance visibility at night are also being accepted for residents of border regions. The "Light of Kindness" campaign will run until February 28, 2026.
There is also a chance to fulfill the wishes of children of SVO participants in the campaign "Kind Christmas Tree", transfer to the district volunteer centers "Good Place" and the pavilions "Gift Factory" of the project Moscow is helping gifts for military personnel in hospitals as part of the campaign "The Course of Good" or humanitarian aid for residents of new and border regions to one of the 15 goods collection headquarters, write to the heroes video greetings Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.
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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.