With the New Year just around the corner, cities across Russia have rolled out festive activities and adjusted their schedules to celebrate. The holiday spirit is alive and well, especially seen through the various events organized for residents to enjoy during this special time.
Starting with Tomsk, the city has opened 30 ice rinks as part of its winter festivities, creating venues for both ice skating and hockey. Notably, the most beautifully decorated rinks can be found at Novosobornaya Square and Goradad, emitting the glow of hundreds of light stars under the backdrop of festive music.
For those planning their visits, the rinks are available during different hours throughout the week. For example, the rink near Novosobornaya Square operates on weekdays from 4 PM to 10 PM and offers skate rentals: 250 rubles per hour for adults and 200 rubles for children. Additional assistance can be hired at 250 rubles for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, White Lake boasts one of the largest rinks, complete with glowing swan sculptures at its center, captivating skaters with its stunning aesthetics. The operational hours here are also family-friendly, from 1 PM to 9 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 11 PM on weekends.
Another highlight is the stadium ‘Polytechnic,’ which opened its rink just days before the New Year, allowing for holiday fun immediately. Operating hours are consistent at 12 PM to 10 PM across weekdays and weekends.
The popularity of these sites is indicative of the community's desire to embrace the winter season through outdoor activities and to enjoy quality time with friends and family, as expressed by the administration: “Горожане массово проводят время на свежем воздухе, получая заряд бодрости и позитивных эмоций.”
Transitioning to Dalnerechensk, the excitement continues with active recreation initiatives. The local administration has organized free skate rentals at the city stadium and hockey box, catering to health-conscious residents and increasing outdoor engagement during the holidays.
This aligns perfectly with the administration's commitment to fostering community spirit: “Мы рады, что созданные условия для активного отдыха пользуются популярностью.” Residents can also enjoy skiing at the “Graphskaya” ski base, reinforcing the trend of healthful activities during the festive days.
From December 31, 2024, to January 7, 2025, many businesses will have adjusted hours to accommodate the holidays. For example, it has been announced: “С 1 по 7 января 2025 года нерабочие дни.” Other establishments plan to open limited hours on January 6 to offer some services and will resume regular operations post-holiday. Numerous services will remain closed through the holiday period on specific dates, allowing employees to enjoy time off.
This extended New Year period not only spreads joy but emphasizes cultural traditions and the significance of community connections. Local ice rinks and active holiday schedules are coming together to create lasting memories and cherished moments, encouraging everyone to step outside, skate, ski, and celebrate together.
Overall, whether you find yourself gliding over ice at one of Tomsk’s enchanting rinks or enjoying the warmth of company at Dalnerechensk’s festive events, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the joy of the New Year. With ample opportunities to engage with the outdoors, residents of both cities are set to embrace this holiday season with vigor and enthusiasm.