First Christmas at home, second Christmas in Kyiv
Christmas in Kyiv is a blessing. Especially for foreigners who celebrate catholic Christmas. Those travelers will be blessed twice, as they will spend their Christmas with family, and then will get another portion of happiness: Ukrainians have Christmas eve on 6th of January.
First Christmas at home, second Christmas in Kyiv
So when almost everywhere in the world at this time all the Christmas decorations and markets are disassembled, Christmas in Kyiv is just at its peak.
Since 2015 the main celebrations are being held on Sofiivska Square in Kyiv. Right in from of Saint Sophia Cathedral and running up to Saint Michael Cathedral.
The opening of the celebration on Sofiivska Square is 19th of December, when Ukrainians celebrate Saint Nicolas Day and kids get presents under the pillow. The celebration on Sofiivska Square will be closed on 16th of January.
One of the best ways to get there is to have a walk from Taras Shevchenko National University. You will see a nice classicism building of a red color, which will be also lit. Right in front of the university there is a nice park. Grab a coffee, cross the street and keep direction towards the Golden Gates of Kyiv (Zoloti Vorota), which were the main gates to the city in XI century. Then Sofia Cathedral will be just in a few meters.
If you want to see Kyiv from above, rise to the bell tower of the Cathedral. It costs 20 UAH and works till 6 p.m.
Go to the monument of Bohdan Hmelntysky on the horse where the children slides are situated and have some fun, , take a lot of photos with fairytale characters, take several circles on the carousel or listen to Christmas orchestra.
Food market is lying from Sofiivska Square to Michailivska Square which means half kilometer of tasty traditional food and drinks. Apples in caramel are highly recommended. Or buy original Ukrainian souvenirs in one of numerous fair houses.
The location is very convenient, because there are many options where to continue your walk in Christmas Kyiv: you can go to Maidan (Independence Square) and then to Kreshchatyk, go down by Andriyivsky Descent which is called Monmartre of Kyiv, to Kontraktova Square, or take a funicular trip to Poshtova Square to enjoy the view of a Dnipro river and the left bank of Kyiv.
If your holidays just finished, and you feel like you want more, come to Kyiv: you will not regret using this unique opportunity to have 2 Christmas in a row.