Kyiv hasn’t been as festive during the winter holidays as this year in a long time.
In what seems like a protest to exhaustion of the COVID‑19 pandemic and the upcoming lockdown, the capital has thrown an all-out celebration spreading across districts far beyond the downtown.
There are seven main winter villages, small and big, set up by either the authorities or private companies. Adorned with Christmas trees and lights, the locations offer a variety of entertainment from sports like skating and tubing to tasting sweets and sipping mulled wine.
The illustration shows the main winter villages set up in Kyiv this holiday season. The seven locations are arranged geographically from the VDNH exhibition center in the north-west to the city center and Kontraktova Square in Podil across several districts. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and upcoming lockdown on Jan. 8-24, the Ukrainian capital has thrown an all-out celebration. The winter villages include: Sofiyivska Square (1), People’s Friendship Arch (2), Kontraktova Square (3), President’s Office (4), Ukraine Palace (5), VDNH (6) and Roshen Winter Village (7). (Alyona Zhuk)
All the villages welcome visitors now, with most staying open through January. When the Jan. 8–24 lockdown kicks in, closing restaurants, cinemas and other entertainment venues, Christmas locations will come as a savior of Kyiv residents’ leisure.
Here are this winter season’s main attractions in the capital.
People attend the ceremony for the opening of the Christmas tree at Sofiyivska Square in Kyiv on Dec. 19, 2020. (Oleg Petrasiuk)
Sofiyivska Square
Sofiyivska Square is traditionally the main holiday location in Kyiv. Because of the pandemic, the city administration will not hold any music performances this year. To compensate for the lack of usual entertainment, the authorities focused on decorating an exceptionally beautiful, country’s main Christmas tree. The 30-meter-high tree was decorated with 1,500 toys and 10 kilometers of string lights that hang from the top to the ground and cover a wide area all around the tree. Children will be able to take a ride on the merry-go-round. The visitors will have an opportunity to purchase holiday souvenirs and gifts at the small market set up on the square. There are also treats and mulled wine sold at the food court.
Sofiyivska Square. Open until Jan. 17. a. m. — p. m.
The picture shows the view from the top of one of this year’s winter villages in Kyiv, People’s Friendship Arch, on Dec. 22, 2020. (Oleg Petrasiuk)
People’s Friendship Arch
The authorities encourage Kyiv residents to not crowd at one location for too long, but rather take walks from one to the other. To make those strolls more enjoyable, especially when it gets dark, the authorities decorated the routes with lights. From Sofiyivska Square visitors can head down to European Square and then take a walk across the light tunnel set up from the National Philharmonic of Ukraine to another holiday location, People’s Friendship Arch. There, visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy another Christmas tree and skate at the set-up ice rink. The prices for skating start at Hr 50.
People’s Friendship Arch. Open until Jan. 20. 10 a. m. — 9 p. m. Free entrance
People walk along the pedestrian bridge decorated with string lights in downtown Kyiv on Dec. 22, 2020. (Oleg Petrasiuk)
Kontraktova Square
From People’s Friendship Arch, Kyiv residents are encouraged to stroll along the 212-meter pedestrian bridge, all decked out with light strings. The bridge will bring pedestrians to Volodymyrska Hill, from where they can head down to Podil. There, at Kontraktova Square, another winter village has been put up. A Christmas tree, souvenir stalls, food court with delights and hot drinks will be waiting there. A skating rink and a tubing slide are the entertainment options.
Kontraktova Square. Open until Jan. 20. 10 a. m. — 9 p. m.
President’s Office
For the second year in a row, a winter village is set up in front of the President’s Office on Volodymyr Zelensky’s initiative. The location features a skating rink, where visitors can rent skates and enjoy the winter sport for free. There’s a food market with treats, photo zones and a Christmas tree decorated with toys designed by children with disabilities. Children will have an opportunity to enjoy a ride on the carousel and meet St. Nicholas at his residency.
President’s Office. 11 Bankova St. Open until at least Jan. 7. 10 a. m. — 9 p. m.
The picture shows the view of one of this year’s winter villages in Kyiv located near the Ukraine Palace on Dec. 22, 2020. The spot combines a Christmas market, a skating rink and a tubing slide. (Oleg Petrasiuk)
Ukraine Palace
One of the locations financed by private companies is the “Winter entertainment village” located near Ukraine Palace. Sponsored by Mastercard, PrivatBank, Huawei and D.TEK, the village combines a Christmas market, St. Nicholas’ residency and winter sports attractions, including a skating rink and a tubing slide that the organizers say is the tallest in the country. Skating here costs Hr 170 per hour on a weekday and Hr 295 during the weekend. Taking three rides on a tubing slide is Hr 75 and five of them cost Hr 100. A visit to St. Nicholas’ residency costs Hr 250 and includes a picture opportunity with St. Nicholas and a sweet present from him.
Ukraine Palace. 103 Velyka Vasylkivska St. Open until Feb. 28. 11 a. m. — 8 p. m.
VDNH
Despite its remote location from downtown, VDNH exhibition center is a beloved destination for many Kyiv families. During winter, the center offers a variety of fun activities both for adults and children. This year, there are multiple Christmas trees, light decorations, gift and food markets. Children can visit one of few if not the only Santa residency here. A visit there costs Hr 220 and includes an interactive performance by fictional characters who will show a way to Santa through a magic forest. Other activities include skating for Hr 150 and tubing for Hr 20 per slide.
VDNH. 1 Akademika Hlushkova Ave. Open until March 14. 10 a. m. — 9 p. m.
People skate at Roshen Winer Village, one of this year’s holiday locations in Kyiv, on Dec. 22, 2020. (Oleg Petrasiuk)
Roshen Winter Village
Another holiday destination located away from the city center is Roshen Winter Village arranged by the Roshen confectionery company that belongs to former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The village has a Christmas tree located in the middle of its main attraction, the ice rink. The rink has illumination made of optical fiber and encrusted into the ice glowing all over the surface. During skating, visitors will be able to enjoy a music and light show. The skating price on a weekday starts at Hr 130 and Hr 160 during the weekends.
Roshen Winter Village. 1 Nauky Ave. Open until Feb. 28. Mon-Fri. 12 p. m. — 10 p. m. Sat-Sun. 10 a. m. — 10 p. m.
