The country's main Christmas tree: what it will be and how to watch it in 2025
Very soon the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin will again be decorated with the main New Year's tree. The search for a festive tree usually begins in late summer. Every year the jury forms a list of contenders, the rating is made up of 50-70 fir trees. The winner of the contest is selected by a special commission of the Presidential Affairs Directorate together with representatives of municipalities, forestry, transportation and cultural figures. In 2024, the main Christmas tree of Russia will come to the Kremlin from the village of Znamenka, Moscow region, it was chosen on November 18. Read more about how the choice of the main holiday tree and when residents and guests of the capital will be able to enjoy the New Year's atmosphere - in the material "Izvestia".
Kremlin Christmas tree - 2025: what is known about it
The main New Year's tree of Russia determined the tree growing near the village of Znamenka in the Mozhaisk urban district of Moscow region. This is reported by the press service of the Office of the President of the Russian Federation.
In search of the ideal tree the commission had to travel 3 thousand kilometers. There were more than 25 candidates for the title of the main holiday tree of the country. In the end, the experts chose a 90-year-old spruce tree with a height of 30 meters and a trunk girth of 60 cm. The span of the tree's lower branches reaches 8 meters. Thus, all branches have the necessary thickness for transportation, and the tree itself has a regular pyramidal shape and rich color of needles.
Traditionally, the tree was selected according to the "Kremlin standards", taking into account the height and age of the tree, trunk diameter, shape of the crown, span of the lower branches and absence of defects. In addition, the spruce had to grow in such a place that it could be reached by machinery. The selection was conducted by representatives of the Presidential Administration, the government of the Moscow region and the Forestry Committee.
Note that in 2023, the main New Year's tree in Russia was a tree from the village of Novopareevo in the urban district of Shchelkovo. The age of the spruce reached 84 years. Its height was 25 m, trunk diameter was 60 cm, and the span of branches was 10 m.
The main New Year's tree: history and how it will be decorated by 2025
The tradition to decorate the square near the Kremlin with New Year's toys appeared more than 300 years ago, during the reign of Peter the Great. The emperor ordered the transition to a new chronology (from the Nativity of Christ) from January 1, 1700.
The decree stated: "... In large and traveled streets for noble people and at the houses of the clergy and lay rank in front of the gates to make some decorations from trees and branches of pine and juniper .... and for the poor people each at least one tree or branch should be placed on the gates or above their temple [house]...".
After the capital of Russia was moved to St. Petersburg, the first public Christmas tree was installed in the pavilion of St. Petersburg's Ekaterinhof Park only in 1852. However, during World War I, Emperor Nicholas II canceled this tradition. During the revolutionary years, the Christmas tree again appeared briefly on New Year's holidays, but in 1926 the "Christmas tree" tradition was abandoned.
Once again the Christmas tree with thousands of decorations and toys appeared in Moscow, in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions, only in 1938. After that it began to be installed annually and held there children's New Year's festivities, which were called New Year's tree.
At different times, the decoration of the fir tree differed: at first, the trees were hung with fruit, fresh and artificial flowers, gilded cones and nuts. Soon toys made with their own hands were added. Children and adults made them out of wax, cardboard, absorbent cotton and foil.
Today the main Christmas tree is decorated with LED garlands, giant balls, cones, beads, crystals and pendants. In total, there are 1.5 thousand toys on the tree. The very outfit for the tree is thought up in advance - choose the theme and color scheme.
All decorations are frost- and wind-resistant. Traditionally it will be possible to estimate the outfit of the New Year's tree in the 20th of December on the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin.
New Year's tree - 2025: what will happen to it after the holidays
The New Year's spruce will delight residents and guests of the capital until mid-January. After the holidays, the festive beauty will go for utilization.
Thus, the toys will be removed and carefully packed until next year. Broken and beaten will be replaced with new ones. The cones will be cut, and their seeds will be used to grow new fir trees as part of the "Children of the Kremlin Christmas Tree" project.
As a rule, the tree is recycled and made into souvenirs, which will then be presented to schoolchildren and medics who received honors in 2024. The thick branches are used to make medals, and the fluffy needles are used to make bedding and food for animals in the zoo.
The process of processing spruce is quite long. To begin with, the tree is thoroughly dried, sawed and sorted into pieces. From the vertical cuts, table tops and caskets can be made. Presumably, one spruce tree can make at least 100 wooden clocks.
Christmas tree on Sobornaya Square in Moscow - 2025: how to get there
The main Christmas tree of the country will be installed in the heart of the capital - on Sobornaya Square. It is most convenient to get to it by public transportation, as there is no car parking near the Kremlin. The closest metro stations to Sobornaya Square are: "Okhotny Ryad", "Borovitskaya", "Alexandrovsky Sad" and "Lenin Library".
To get to the territory of the Kremlin, you need to pass through the Kutafya Tower and cross the bridge leading to the Trinity Tower. Since Sobornaya Square is a part of the Museum-Reserve "Moscow Kremlin", the entrance to its territory is paid. You can buy a ticket directly at the ticket office or in advance on the official website of the Moscow Kremlin Museums. The price of an entrance ticket for adults in 2024 is 900 rubles. Students can pay for entry with a Pushkin card.
Pensioners, university students and children from seven to 16 years old can pass on a discount ticket, the price of which is 500 rubles. The right to the benefit will need to confirm at the ticket office with the appropriate documents.
To visit the Cathedral Square free of charge can:
- children under the age of seven;
- Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of the Russian Federation, full cavaliers of the Order of Glory;
- participants of World War II and conscripted servicemen;
- disabled persons of I and II groups, disabled children and their accompanying persons.
In addition, every Tuesday to get free access to the territory of the historical and cultural complex have the right to large families and children up to 18 years of age, studying on basic professional educational programs.
The territory of the Moscow Kremlin and its museums work six days a week from 10:00 to 17:00. The complex is closed to the public on Thursdays.
Where to go in Moscow on New Year holidays
During the holiday period, Moscow will become a place of attraction for vacationers from all over the country. Starting from December 6, anyone can recharge the New Year's atmosphere at the GUM skating rink, which is located right on Red Square. In addition to daily sessions, the ice rink regularly hosts performances of famous figure skaters and various master classes. The cost of admission tickets for the upcoming winter season is still unknown. In 2023 it was possible to skate on one of the main ice rinks in Moscow for 700 rubles on weekdays, excluding the rental of skates and other equipment.
Also on Red Square every year unfold New Year's fair, where you can taste fresh pastries, hot kebab and fragrant tea, buy interesting souvenirs or antique Christmas tree toys.
Another favorite entertainment of guests and residents of the capital is riding on carousels. They work all year round, not only children, but also adults can have fun riding to New Year's compositions.
It will be possible to see a real fairytale show at the State Kremlin Palace. In 2024/25, a New Year's family show "The Nutcracker" will be organized there. The characters of favorite fairy tales will come to life before the eyes of the audience, who will put on a rousing dance concert.
The holiday show will be held daily from December 23, 2024 to January 8, 2025 inclusive. You can buy tickets for the show at the box office or on the website of the State Kremlin Palace.
