A great many festivals in Moscow are derived from Orthodox Church tradition.
Orthodox Christmas begins with midnight mass on January 07.
Orthodox Easter, known in Russia as Paskha, falls some time in March or April - it begins with a midnight church service, after which people eat special dome-shaped cakes and swap painted wooden eggs.
In odd-numbered years, in autumn, the Moscow Film Festival hits the city's screens.
The Russian Winter Festival is pretty much a tourist affair, with Troyka rides, folklore shows, games and vodka, and is celebrated between December 25 and January 05.
Sylvestr is the Russian New Year celebration, and is the main gift-giving festival of the year, with presents placed under the traditional fir tree.
Muscovites see out the old year with vodka and welcome the new one with champagne
CITY CALENDAR:
Standout seasons to visit Moscow are late spring (May or June) and early autumn (September or October), when the city's parks are filled with flowering trees or colorful leaves.
The city is spruced up for the May holidays and September's City Day, both festive times in the capital. It also get fired up to ring in the New Year, when Muscovites emerge from their warm homes into the winter night for free concerts and fireworks.
Cultural festivals and special exhibits occur throughout the year for lovers of art, music, theater and film.
Below is a list of key events taking place in the Russian capital, month-by-month:
Though January represents the deepest, darkest days of winter, it is a festive month, kicked off by New Year's celebrations in the grandest tradition.
The Orthodox Christmas, or Rozhdestvo, is celebrated on January 06. Many offices are services are closed during the first week of January
Winter Festival:
It is a massive outdoor fun Fest for those with anti-freeze in their veins (you can bet plenty of people use vodka for this purpose).
Teams compete to build elaborate ice sculptures in front of the Pushkin Fine Arts Museum and on Red Square.
But the real nutters (or those who have far too much antifreeze in their veins) can be found punching holes in the ice on the Moskva river and plunging in for a dip.
Take a plunge and get a membership of the 'Walrus Club'!
Maslenitsa marks the end of winter, but it does seem premature.
Temperatures might continue to be cold, hovering around -10 C for weeks. Occasional southerly winds can raise temperatures briefly to a balmy 0 C. And the city continues to sparkle with snow and sledders and skiers are in seventh heaven.
Akin to Mardi Gras, this fete celebrates the end of winter and kicks off Orthodox Lent.
'Maslenitsa' comes from the Russian word for butter, which is a key ingredient in the festive treat, bliny (crepes). Besides binging on Russian crepes, the week-long festival features horse-drawn sledges, story-telling clowns and beer-drinking bears.
The festival culminates with the burning of a scarecrow to welcome spring. Exact dates depend on the date of Orthodox Easter, but it is usually in February or early March.
Look out for events at Kolomenskoye Park and special bliny menus at local restaurants
Defender of The Motherland Day February 23
Celebrated on February 23, this unofficial holiday traditionally honors veterans and soldiers. It has become a sort of counter-part to International Women's Day and is now better known as "Men's Day'. Women are supposed to do nice things for the men in their lives, but the extent of the celebration is limited
During the spring thaw - in late March and early April - everything turns to mud and slush.
International Women's Day March 08
Russia's favorite holiday was founded to honor the women's movement. These days, on 8 March, men buy champagne, flowers and chocolates for their better halves - and for all the women in their lives.
This holiday is really a big, major event in lives of many local residents. By its significance and involvement of locals in preparations this holiday in Russia stands quite close in line with New Years and May Day holidays - lots of preparations, emotions and fun!
Golden Mask Festival
It involves two weeks of performances by Russia's premier drama, opera, dance and musical performers, culminating in a prestigious awards ceremony. The festival brightens up otherwise dreary March and April
The main holiday of the Orthodox Church is Easter, or Pashka (pronounced as: Pаs-h-a) The date varies, but it is usually in April or early May - often a different date than its Western counterpart. Forty days of fasting, known as Veliky Post, lead up to the religious holiday. Easter Sunday kicks off with celebratory midnight services, after which people eat kulichy (special dome-shaped cakes) and paskha (curd-cakes), and they may exchange painted wooden Easter eggs. Many banks, offices and museums are closed on Easter Monday
Moscow Forum:
This is a contemporary music festival held every year since 1994. It features avant-garde musicians from Russian and Europe, who perform at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory
Spring arrives in the capital in May. Many services, offices and museums have limited hours during the first half of May, due to the run of public holidays. Nonetheless, it is a festive time, as the parks are finally green and blooming,with flowers, and the streets are filled with people celebrating Victory Day, on May 9, hosts parades on Tverskaya Street and other events at Victory Park
June is Moscow's most welcoming month. Temperatures are mild, and days are long and sunny. Little girls wear giant white bows in their hair to celebrate the end of the school year
InterFest:
InterFest is short for the Moscow International Film Festival. This week-long event attracts filmmakers from the US and Europe, as well as the most promising Russian artists. Films are shown at theaters around the city, including Illuzion and Rolan Cinema
Fashion Week, Moscow:
In recent years, Moscow 's major fashion event has attracted as many as 60 designers from Russia and around the world. See innovative styles on display on catwalks around the city
Many Muscovites retreat to their dachas to escape summer in the city, and the cultural calendar is quiet.
Maximum temperatures are usually between +25 C and + 35 C, although humidity makes it seem hotter.
July and August are also the rainiest months, although showers tend to be brief.
While residents make themselves scarce, tourists flood the capital during this season.
Train tickets and accommodation can be more difficult to secure, and attractions around Moscow tend to be overrun with visitors.
Summer is the time for outdoor music festivals, including huge rock events such as Krylya and Nashestviye, which take place out of the city
Early autumn is another standout time to be in the capital. The heat subsides and the foliage turns the city splendid oranges, reds and yellows.
October might see the first snow of the season
City Day:
City Day, or Den Goroda in Russian, celebrates Moscow's birthday every year on the first weekend in September. The day kicks off with a festive parade, followed by live music on Red Square and plenty of food, fireworks and fun
Kremlin Cup:
This international tennis tournament is held every October at the Olympic Stadium, near the formerly Renaissance Moscow hotel. Not surprisingly, Russian players have dominated this tournament in recent years
Winter sets in. The days are noticeably short and temperatures are low. By now, the city is covered in a blanket of snow, which reflects the city lights and lends a magical air
Day of Reconciliation & Accord:
The former October Revolution day - 07 November - is still an official holiday, though it is hardly acknowledged. It still is, however, a big day for flag-waving and protesting by old-school communist party members, especially in front of the Central Lenin Museum and on Tverskaya street
Short days and long nights keep most people inside for most of the month. On 12 December, Constitution Day marks the adoption of the new constitution in 1993
December Nights Festival:
It is held at the main performance halls, theaters and museums from mid-December to early January. Classical music at its best is performed in classy surroundings by the best Russian and foreign talent
New Year:
This event lures Muscovites out of their warm homes to watch fireworks over Red Square and warm their bones with vodka toasts to the coming year