Things to Do in Moscow in December

December Weather in Moscow

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Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Winter palace atmosphere - Red Square and Kremlin covered in snow create the most photogenic Moscow experience, with dramatically fewer tourists than summer months
New Year festivities peak season - Moscow transforms into a winter wonderland with elaborate decorations, ice sculptures, and the famous GUM skating rink operational until 11pm daily
Indoor cultural immersion - Bolshoi Theatre winter season runs full programming, Hermitage and Tretyakov Gallery have extended winter hours (10am-8pm) with 60% fewer crowds
Authentic Russian winter experience - Locals embrace the season with banya visits, hot tea culture, and traditional winter foods like borscht and blini readily available at peak quality

Considerations

Extreme cold limits outdoor sightseeing - temperatures below -5°C (23°F) make walking tours uncomfortable for more than 45 minutes without warming breaks
Limited daylight hours - sun rises at 8:47am and sets at 3:56pm, giving only 7 hours of natural light for outdoor photography and sightseeing
Higher accommodation costs - December is peak winter tourism season with hotel prices 40-60% higher than shoulder season months like March or November

Best Activities in December

Red Square Winter Walking Tours

December transforms Red Square into Moscow's most magical setting with snow-covered cobblestones and the famous New Year's Fair. The iconic St. Basil's Cathedral and Kremlin walls look spectacular against fresh snow, and crowds are 70% smaller than summer. Best visited between 10am-2pm when natural light is strongest and temperatures are most tolerable.

Booking Tip: Book 7-10 days ahead through certified Moscow tour guides. Tours typically cost 3,500-5,500 rubles per person for 2-hour sessions. Look for tours that include indoor warming stops at GUM department store. Reference current tour options in booking section below.

Bolshoi Theatre Winter Season

December is peak season for Moscow's world-famous Bolshoi with special holiday performances including The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. The historic theatre's ornate interiors provide perfect respite from winter weather, and this is when Moscow's cultural elite attend, creating an authentic high-society experience impossible to replicate in other months.

Booking Tip: Book tickets 4-6 weeks ahead as December shows sell out quickly. Prices range 2,000-15,000 rubles depending on seating. Dress code enforced - formal attire required. See current performance schedule in booking section below.

Moscow Metro Art Tours

December is ideal for exploring Moscow's palatial metro stations as you'll need frequent underground warming breaks anyway. Stations like Komsomolskaya and Mayakovskaya showcase Soviet-era mosaics and chandeliers in heated comfort. New Sokolnicheskaya line extensions opened in 2025 add three new architecturally significant stations to explore.

Booking Tip: Self-guided tours work well with metro day passes costing 275 rubles. Guided art history tours typically cost 2,800-4,200 rubles for 3-hour sessions including 8-10 stations. Book through licensed Moscow guide associations. See current guided options in booking section below.

Traditional Banya Experiences

December is peak banya season when locals use traditional Russian bathhouses to combat winter cold. Historic banyas like Sandunovsky offer authentic steam therapy experiences followed by cold plunges - a quintessential Moscow winter activity. The contrast with outdoor temperatures makes the experience more intense and culturally authentic than visiting in warmer months.

Booking Tip: Reserve private banya sessions 5-7 days ahead, costing 4,500-8,000 rubles for 2-hour sessions accommodating 4-6 people. Include traditional birch branch beatings and tea service. See current banya packages in booking section below.

Kremlin Museums Winter Tours

The Kremlin's indoor attractions including the Armoury Chamber and Diamond Fund are perfect December activities. December visitors see collections without summer crowds, and the contrast between ornate royal treasures and harsh winter outside enhances the imperial atmosphere. New audio guide systems in 12 languages launched in 2025.

Booking Tip: Book Kremlin tickets online 2-3 weeks ahead as daily visitor limits still apply in winter. Combined tickets cost 1,500-2,500 rubles including multiple museum access. Tours must be booked separately, typically 3,500-5,000 rubles for 3-hour guided experiences. See current options in booking section below.

Gorky Park Winter Activities

December transforms Gorky Park into Moscow's winter playground with ice skating rinks, snow sculpture installations, and heated pavilions serving traditional winter foods. The park's winter festival runs through December with live music, craft markets, and cultural performances designed specifically for cold weather enjoyment.

Booking Tip: Entry to park is free, ice skating costs 400-600 rubles for 2-hour sessions including skate rental. Winter festival events typically cost 800-1,500 rubles for special performances. No advance booking needed for general activities. See current winter programming in booking section below.

December Events & Festivals

Early December through early January

Moscow New Year Festival

Month-long celebration featuring ice sculptures throughout the city center, special lighting displays on major buildings, and traditional markets selling winter foods and crafts. The festival peaks on New Year's Eve with fireworks over Red Square and extends through Orthodox Christmas.

Early December opening, runs through February

GUM Ice Skating Rink Opening

The famous department store's rooftop skating rink opens for winter season, offering skating with views of Red Square and the Kremlin. Features live music events, themed skating nights, and traditional Russian winter food stalls.

Mid to Late December

Russian Winter Festival

Traditional celebration of winter customs including folk performances, traditional craft demonstrations, and authentic Russian winter cuisine tastings. Held in multiple parks across Moscow with Sokolniki Park hosting the main events.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -20°C (-4°F) with non-slip soles - Moscow sidewalks become icy and you'll walk 3-5 km (1.9-3.1 miles) daily sightseeing

Layered clothing system including thermal underwear, fleece mid-layer, and windproof outer shell - indoor heating is intense (24-26°C/75-79°F) while outdoor temperatures hover around -5°C (23°F)

Warm hat covering ears and insulated gloves - wind chill can make -7°C (20°F) feel like -15°C (5°F), especially around Red Square's open spaces

Portable phone charger and keep devices warm - lithium batteries drain 50% faster in sub-zero temperatures, and you'll use GPS constantly for metro navigation

High SPF lip balm and moisturizer - despite low UV index, dry winter air and heating systems cause severe chapping and skin irritation

Cash in small ruble denominations - many traditional vendors at winter markets and smaller establishments don't accept cards, especially during festival events

Compact umbrella for wet snow - December brings 10 days of precipitation, often as heavy wet snow that regular winter coats can't repel effectively

Hand and foot warmers for extended outdoor activities - chemical heat packs are expensive in Moscow, bring from home for Red Square visits and outdoor photography

Formal clothing for cultural events - Bolshoi Theatre and upscale restaurants maintain strict dress codes year-round, men need dress shoes and jackets

Waterproof bag for electronics - condensation forms rapidly when moving between -7°C (20°F) outdoor temperatures and 25°C (77°F) indoor heating

Insider Knowledge

Purchase metro day passes at machines rather than ticket windows - saves 20 minutes daily queuing and costs the same 275 rubles, plus machines have English language options since 2025 updates

Visit major attractions between 10am-2pm for best natural lighting and warmest temperatures - many tourists skip morning hours due to cold, leaving popular sites less crowded mid-day

Book restaurant reservations for dinner before 6pm - Muscovites dine later in winter months (8-10pm) when tourists are returning to hotels, creating a window for better service and atmosphere

Use shopping malls like GUM and Okhotny Ryad as warming stations and navigation hubs - they're heated, have clean restrooms, and connect to multiple metro lines, plus locals use them the same way in winter