When a public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following business day is observed as a substitute holiday. However, when a weekend holiday falls during the official New Year Holidays, the government may reallocate those off-days to other working days throughout the year.
When a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, the government often designates the preceding Monday or following Friday as an additional day off to create a long weekend. In these cases, a nearby Saturday or Sunday is typically designated as a working day to compensate.
Temporary holidays and additional days off are marked in blue.
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Overview of Public Holidays in Russia
New Year Holidays Russia observes an extended New Year holiday period that spans the first week of January, leading directly into Orthodox Christmas celebrations.
Orthodox Christmas Day Because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, Christmas is celebrated on January 7.
Defender of the Fatherland Day Originally established to honor the formation of the Red Army (Workers' and Peasants' Red Army) during World War I, this holiday is now widely celebrated as a day to honor men and military personnel.
International Women's Day Although historically tied to the events of the 1917 February Revolution, this holiday has largely shed its political roots and is celebrated as a general day to honor women.
Spring and Labor Day This holiday serves as Russia's traditional observance of International Workers' Day (May Day).
Victory Day Commemorates the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe (May 9, 1945, Moscow time).
Russia Day Commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on June 12, 1990.
Unity Day (National Unity Day) Commemorates the 1612 popular uprising that liberated Moscow from Polish occupation forces during the Polish–Muscovite War (1605–1618). Originally celebrated until the Russian Revolution, it was reinstated following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Russia's National Flag & Anthem
National Flag
The national flag of Russia is a horizontal tricolor of white, blue, and red. Traditionally, white symbolizes nobility and frankness, blue represents faithfulness and chastity, and red stands for courage and love. Originally adopted by the Russian Empire, it was restored as the national flag following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
National Anthem
The national anthem of Russia is the "State Anthem of the Russian Federation." Set to the music of the former Soviet anthem with updated lyrics, it praises the greatness, beauty, and vastness of the Russian homeland.
