This year the main Christmas tree of Ukraine will be lit in Kyiv on December 19. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the traditional festivities will not be held; instead, online broadcasting will be held as Kyiv City State Administration reported.
“The official lighting of the main Christmas tree of the country will take place without traditional parade but with the observation of all quarantine restrictions and holding of online-broadcast,” the message said.
The festive lighting of Christmas trees for Kyiv citizens and guests of the city will traditionally take place on December 19, on St. Nicholas Day.
The official celebration of New Year at Kyiv's Sophia's and Kontraktova Squares and near the Friendship of Nations Arch will last from December 19 until January 19.
Moreover, the new-year route will link the Friendship of Nations Arch through the Pedestrian-cycling bridge, Volodymyrska Hill park, Artists' Alley, Andriivskyi Descent up to Kontraktova Square. Each of the locations will have zones for children's entertainment: ice rinks, a 20-meter Ferris wheel and an ice slide.
As we reported, Ukrainians will have 9 days off in December. Friday, December 25 will be added to the usual weekend on Saturday and Sunday (there will be 8 of them this month). On this day, Ukraine will celebrate Catholic Christmas, which has recently become a national holiday. You can read more about the holidays here.
