Minsk is a great place to celebrate the New Year. Decorations are hung all over the city, squares are sparkling with lights, music is playing at festive markets and a brisk trade in souvenirs is going on. We will tell you what else Minsk is good at in New Year's time, where to look for the best fairs and Belarusian Santa Claus, what festive dishes are worth trying in Belarus, what souvenirs to look for on the shelves.
Why go to Minsk for the holidays
Belarus is a hospitable country, Russians do not need a visa to travel, and flights are usually very convenient. The streets are so safe that you can safely walk even at night. The weather in Minsk on New Year's Eve is just excellent: a light snow may fall, but there will definitely not be thorny frosts here, and strong winds rarely blow.
Minsk makes an extremely positive impression - it is not for nothing that the reviews of tourists who came to Belarus for the New Year are extremely positive. Festivities are fun, and the city itself is very elegant. The building of the National Library looks especially impressive on holidays, as well as Independence Avenue and the cozy Upper Town.
By tradition, the New Year in Minsk is celebrated cheerfully, on a grand scale - they walk until the morning. The squares host concerts, performances by dance groups and noisy fairs.
New Year fairs
A tradition has taken root in Minsk to hold Christmas markets in a European manner. Guests are offered all kinds of souvenirs, decorations and gif.webpts for the holiday, handmade goods, a variety of treats. A magical atmosphere reigns at New Year's fairs in Minsk: neat wooden houses, sparkling lights around, nostalgic music, interesting performances - a real fairy tale in reality.
The main Christmas markets are traditionally held in the two main squares of the city, but they are always joined by shopping centers, which also organize small holidays for visitors. New Year's fairs in Minsk will open in mid-December 2021 and end in mid-January 2022. Belarus traditionally arranges them for Catholic Christmas, and finishes them for the Old New Year.
Kalyadny kirmash
New Year's Fair "Kalyadny Kirmash" takes place on 2 squares: October Square and in front of the Sports Palace. On New Year's Eve in Minsk fairs are open until 4:00 am.
What to try
At the Christmas markets in the Belarusian capital, there is always a large selection of treats, and almost all of them relate to the national cuisine (there is also a traditionally a tent with Lithuanian traditional food).
We have compiled a list of 10 dishes that are definitely worth trying in Minsk at fairs:
- Potato pancakes: classic with sour cream, fried or chanterelles.
- Baked potatoes.
- Homemade sausages.
- Barbecue.
- Baked poultry.
- Pancakes with sour cream or jam.
- Homemade pies.
- Lithuanian cuisine (zeppelins, knuckle, sausages, bigos and others).
- Mulled wine or punch.
- Lidskoe beer.
What to buy
In addition, fairs in Minsk sell wonderful goods for every taste. Prices are about the same as in regular souvenir shops. You can also find something unique. Here is a list of 10 products worth buying at bazaars in Minsk:
- Handmade knitted items.
- Hand-painted Christmas tree decorations.
- Decorations for the Christmas tree of the times of the USSR.
- Postcards with views of New Year's Minsk.
- Handmade soft toys.
- Hand-painted ceramics.
- Linen toys.
- New Year's set of sweets "Kommunarka" or "Spartak".
- Homemade honey or jam.
- Balms or tinctures in gif.webpt bottles.
What else to do
You can really cheerfully celebrate the New Year in Minsk. During the holidays, you will not be bored either. Belarus is a small country, and it is very convenient to move around inside it.Therefore, even on New Year's holidays, you can have time to visit not only Minsk, but also other cities of the country.
Leisure
The Logoisk ski complex is located not far from Minsk. It will be comfortable for both professionals and beginners. You can choose ski or snowboard. You can go ice skating at Nemiga or at the Minsk-Arena.
Trip to Brest
A small beautiful provincial town a few hours drive from Minsk. One of the city's main attractions is the lamplighter, who lights the lanterns on the central Sovetskaya Street every evening. On New Year's holidays, it looks especially magical.
Excursions
Even if you have come to Belarus not for the first time, it makes sense to visit at least one excursion during the New Year holidays.
Dudutki
A colorful ethnographic open-air museum. A great place to immerse yourself in the culture of Belarus. On New Year's Eve, a fair is open here, and a special fabulous atmosphere reigns in Dudutki. This museum is definitely not boring - it will be interesting for both adults and children. Ride a horse, meet potters, drop by weavers and try all the best dishes of Belarusian cuisine!
City walk
A great chance to see smart Minsk, examine all its business cards, and then look even further. The history of the city, local stories, urban legends - all this is really fascinating! This excursion around Minsk with excellent reviews of tourists will be especially good on New Year's holidays.
On a visit to Santa Claus
This is a very interesting tour and well worth your time. Belarusian Father Frost lives in Belovezhskaya Pushcha. This place really has something to see. The national park is beautiful at any time of the year, and in winter it turns into a fairy tale. The residence hosts a traditional fair, which will be fun for both children and adults. In Belovezhskaya Pushcha, you can stay for the night or even not all holidays - this place is worth it (watch our video review and read a detailed review to make sure of this).
We wish you a fun New Year in Minsk!
