Despite the daily number of COVID-19 cases growing each week, reaching over 800,000 in total since the start of the pandemic, the most magical time of the year is approaching.
The winter holiday season in Kyiv will officially last from Dec. 19 to Jan. 19. But, this year, there will be no food courts, mass festivities or large crowds during the celebration of New Year in Kyiv.
The holiday season in Ukraine traditionally starts with St. Nicholas Day, celebrated by many Ukrainians on Dec. 19, followed by Catholic Christmas on Dec. 25, which is the main holiday in many Western countries. Orthodox Christmas, the holiday celebrated by most Ukrainians, falls on Jan. 7.
This year, Kyivans can look forward to three Christmas trees connected by a special route that will allow for people to view them without large crowds gathering nearby.
As in previous years, Ukraine’s main Christmas tree will be located on Sofiivska Square. The path to the next location on the holiday route — the Friendship of Nations Arch — will pass through a 100-meter corridor decorated with Christmas lights between the National Philharmonic of Ukraine, located at 2 Volodymyrsky Descent, and the park next to it.
Then, the visitor will walk along the pedestrian bridge decorated with Christmas lights across Volodymyrska Hill and head downhill to the third location of the celebration: Podil, a historic neighborhood of Kyiv. Along the way, merrymakers can buy souvenirs and enjoy hot drinks.
“Thanks to this plan, we will, first of all, unload the central streets of parked cars during the holidays,” said Kyryl Voronin, head of Kyiv city department charged with organizing mass events, during a Dec. 4 press briefing. “Second, we will encourage visitors not to stand still and to move from one photo area on the route to another.”
As in years past, Kyiv will light the Christmas tree on Sofiivska Square on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. local time. According to the organizers, the official tree lighting will take place without the traditional parade. To comply with all quarantine restrictions, there will also be an online broadcast.
In response to multiple requests that the city not cut down a live tree, this year’s Christmas tree will be artificial and 31 meters high.
The theme of this year’s holiday is “Fairy-Tale Forest,” so the Christmas tree will be decorated with more than 1,500 ornaments in the form of pinecones, acorns, squirrels and mushrooms. Instead a star, the tree will be crowned with a hat — yes, really, a hat — in line with the holiday’s fairy tale theme.
According to tradition, Kontraktova Square in the heart of Podil will feature an ice skating rink and stands selling hot beverages. The ferris wheel on the square will also be open to those who want to enjoy Kyiv’s historic district from up high.
Another ice skating rink will be set up near the Friendship of Nations Arch.
Both rinks will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 19–Jan. 20. The entrance price starts from Hr 50 ($1.75).
“If you follow the safety rules, the street celebrations do not pose any threat. It is a symbol of the new year and a tradition that should not be abolished,” Ihor Dobrutskyi, founder of the Folk Ukraine project, which is organizing New Year celebrations in the capital, told the Kyiv Post.
In order to prevent large crowds and help the public celebrate without breaking quarantine rules, a number of online events are also planned for those spending the holidays at home. Keep an eye on the Kyiv City State Administration website to find out about the events. So far, you can look forward to laser and light shows at the Friendship of Nations Arch.
