Christmas and New Year's Day / Eastern European traditions

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 — not December 25. Learn why the Julian calendar, a 1582 papal reform, and centuries of tradition explain the difference, and how Russian and Eastern European families mark the holiday.

Discover the fascinating Soviet history behind Russia's biggest holiday, Novy God. Learn why New Year's Eve outshines Christmas in Russian culture — and how those traditions live on in the diaspora today.

Discover the rich folklore origins of Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden) — Russia's beloved New Year characters — from ancient Slavic myth to Soviet celebration and modern tradition.