No one celebrates Christmas and the New Year like the Russians. Everyone in Russia – citizens plus holidaymakers will be able to see the main symbol of traditional Christmas in the New Year and the travelling troupe comes with Santa’s little helpers including, of course, genuine reindeers and more goodies than you can swing a reindeer’s tail at.

The mobile residence of Father Frost (Russia’s Santa Claus), the main wizard of the country, set off from Veliky Ustyug station on a long journey. 

Every year on the eve of the New Year, the train travels many thousands of kilometers and gives residents along the way a festive mood. In the 2023-2024 season, the cast of Santa Claus will travel around Russia from November 11 to January 13. 

During this time, the wizard will visit more than Russian 80 cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. Here and there and everywhere, he will meet with parents and their children, conduct a festive program and an animated performance for them. 

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Guests will be able to look into the mobile residence and purchase souvenirs. Which cities will Santa Claus visit and how to buy tickets for the festive train.

Santa Claus Train 2023−2024: In 2023, Father Frost’s train will set off on its third big journey: for the first time it left Veliky Ustyug, the wizard’s hometown, in 2021. Santa Claus will be accompanied by the Snow Maiden, the snowman, Grandfather Treskun, a gnome, rabbits and many fairy-tale characters. You can see your favorite characters at stations, train stations and station squares; animators organize a special performance for young fans and adults.

Every year the train is replenished with new cars. This year there will be such carriages as a reception carriage, a fairy-tale village carriage, where games and quests will be held, a stage carriage and a puppet theater carriage for performances. In addition, visitors will be able to relax and enjoy delicious treats from the North in the restaurant car or buffet car.

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The first performance took place on Saturday, November 11, in Veliky Ustyug. From here the winter wizard went north, to Labytnangi, Vorkuta, Usinsk, Pechora, Ukhta, Solvychegodsk and Syktyvkar. Father Frost will celebrate his birthday, November 18, in two cities near Veliky Ustyug – Solvychegodsk and Kotlas Yuzhny, and on November 19, having stopped by home, the main wizard will go on a long journey through several federal districts of the country.

The Santa Claus train will arrive in Moscow, at the Belorussky Station, on December 27, and in St. Petersburg, in New Peterhof, on January 6 and 7.

Father Frost will also visit Nizhny Tagil, Yekaterinburg, Tyumen and Tobolsk, and visit the cities of the Urals, Siberia, Transbaikalia and the Volga region. 

In total, the train will travel over 32 thousand kilometers and make stops in more than 80 cities of the country. The journey will last 64 days, the route schedule can be viewed on the Russian Railways website .

The Santa Claus train is a joint project of Russian Railways and the government of the Vologda region, within the framework of which the beloved character travels to various cities and gives children and adults a festive mood.

Santa Claus train: how to buy a ticket: Anyone can meet the festive cast and participate in the open New Year’s program on the platform for free. However, in order to get on the train itself, see the festive decorations and receive a gift from the wizard, you need to purchase a ticket. 

This can be done on the official website of Russian Railways; sales begin 30 days before the train arrives in the city. The ‘Buy a ticket’ window opens exactly at 9:00 am Moscow time. When registering, you must indicate the personal information of the child who wishes to attend the holiday.

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