Russians celebrate Christmas on the 6th & 7th of January according to the Orthodox calendar On these days there are special Orthodox services to mark the occasion, however this is not the big or main celebration of Russians for Christmas and New Years. New Years Eve is their main or big celebration, this is the time family and friends will get together, have a special meal and exchange presents. They will welcome in the New Year with champagne and then go outside and shoot off fireworks. Usually you will begin to see fire works from the time it get dark, but most come out after midnight and very often will continue till 3 or 4 in the morning. This is the night Russian party all night long with many not going to sleep till 9 or 10 the next morning. Here in Moscow many will go to different fireworks displays put on by the city, like the big one down on Red Square. This year we were with our friends for New Years Eve, had some nice food went out and shot some fire works, came home after midnight, went out with the kids and shot off some more fire works with all the other folks around our place that were out doing the same.
