Moscow Maslenitsa Festival

Московская Масленица

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Carnival & ParadeMoscow
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration10 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesMoscow's version of Maslenitsa turns a
Language["ru"]Currency: RUB
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Moscow Maslenitsa Festival in Moscow

Moscow Maslenitsa Festival is the city's week-long Butter Week celebration marking the end of winter, revived as a large public festival in 2002. Streets and parks fill with pancake stalls, folk games, ice performances, and the ceremonial burning of a straw effigy symbolizing winter's departure.

Maslenitsa predates Christianity in the Slavic lands, originating as a pagan celebration of the sun's return and the end of winter, later absorbed into the Orthodox calendar as the week of feasting immediately before Great Lent begins.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Moscow's version of Maslenitsa turns a domestic, family-scale Slavic tradition into a citywide public event spanning dozens of venues at once, something few other Russian cities attempt at comparable scale

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival keeps the core folk practices intact, bliny eaten with sour cream, honey, or caviar, folk games, and the symbolic burning of a straw effigy, while adding programming aimed at visitors unfamiliar with the holiday, including ice shows, puppet theater, and fairy-tale character quests for children

03

The city starts moving

Because Maslenitsa is tied to the pre-Lenten calendar rather than a fixed date, the festival's timing shifts each year with the Orthodox Easter cycle, keeping it a genuinely seasonal rather than static event

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic pre-Christian and later folk-Orthodox holiday marking the arrival of spring before Lenten fasting begins

Water and renewal

Living ritual

centered on bliny as a round

The sacred route

Living ritual

golden symbol of the sun and the ritual burning of a straw effigy representing winter

The local code

Living ritual

customs the Moscow festival stages publicly rather than only in private homes

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Moscow you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Warm late-winter outdoor clothing: insulated coat, waterproof boots, and gloves, since Maslenitsa falls in February or March when Moscow can still see snow and sub-zero temperatures...

Safety

At Moscow Maslenitsa Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Moscow Maslenitsa Festival does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

["ru"] · RUB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map55.76 N, 37.62 EOpen in Google Maps

Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Nearest airportSVO — Sheremetyevo
TransportStay close enough to the part of Moscow you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Moscow Maslenitsa Festival does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Moscow via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Moscow, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearWarm late-winter outdoor clothing: insulated coat, waterproof boots, and gloves, since Maslenitsa falls in February or March when Moscow can still see snow and sub-zero temperatures, especially during evening effigy-burning events.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Russia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Moscow Maslenitsa Festival?

Moscow Maslenitsa Festival is listed for Past edition: 13–22 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Moscow Maslenitsa Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Moscow, Russia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

10 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Moscow, Moscow, Russia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmoscowseasons.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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