ICE MOSCOW: A FAIRY TALE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Moscow’s Landmark Ice Sculpture Festival Returns This Winter

December 19, 2025

(Isstories Editorial):- Moscow, Russia Dec 19, 2025 (Issuewire.com) – From December 30, 2025 to January 11, 2026, Moscow will once again open its icy doors as it hosts the 11th New Year Festival “Ice Moscow. Within the Family.” One of the capital’s most anticipated winter events, the festival will traditionally take place at Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill, welcoming families, children, and visitors from around the world. The festival is organized by the Nationwide Program “Within the Family”, with the support of the Moscow Department of Culture and Rostec State Corporation.

“Rostec is a large family of more than 700,000 specialists. Together with their relatives and loved ones, this is several million people united by shared values and traditions. Among them is our long-standing support for initiatives that promote timeless values. The Within the Family program and the Ice Moscow festival are about kindness, love, family warmth, and unity. We are sincerely pleased to be part of projects that bring families together, give people festive emotions, and help make the world a better place,” representatives of Rostec said.

2026 Theme: Buratino — A Fairy Tale That Unites Generations

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The central theme of the 2026 festival is Buratino, one of the most beloved fairy-tale characters for several generations. Inspired by Alexey Tolstoy’s classic story, Leonid Nechaev’s iconic film adaptations, and a new cinematic interpretation by Igor Voloshyn, the festival brings the magical world of Buratino to life through monumental ice and art installations. A symbol of sincerity, friendship, and belief in miracles, Buratino reminds audiences that good always triumphs over evil — a message that resonates with both children and adults.

Alexander Kovtunets, President of the Nationwide Program Within the Family, director and actor, commented: “Ice Moscow is not just a festival — it is a space where generations come together, where kindness, talent, and hard work are transformed into art. Every year we strive to surprise our guests with something new, and this time we are not simply presenting a fairy tale — we are inviting everyone to feel like part of it. In a world filled with constant activity and haste, our festival remains an island of genuine human warmth and wonder — a place where time seems to slow down.”

An Ice Fairy Tale Brought to Life

The festival’s signature attraction is the spectacular Ice Kremlin, an impressive architectural ensemble featuring six cascading ice slides. Surrounding it are dozens of large-scale installations and interactive zones, including:

ice sculptures of fairy-tale characters created by leading artists from Russia and the CIS;
interactive ice installations designed for photography and hands-on experiences;
themed sculptural scenes for children and adults, from Papa Carlo’s workshop to the Field of Wonders with Alice the Fox and Basilio the Cat;
a cozy winter tavern and immersive photo zones, including the iconic Golden Key, where guests can step into the role of Buratino.

The Indoor Ice Pavilion invites visitors to literally step inside the fairy tale, where magic comes to life — a wooden log awakens, Karabas-Barabas orchestrates his whimsical troupe, and Tortilla the Turtle guards hidden underwater treasures. Meanwhile, the Sand Pavilion greets guests with stunning sculptures inspired by the new film’s characters, brought to life in the likenesses of beloved actors such as Aleksandr Petrov, Viktoriya Isakova, Fyodor Bondarchuk, Svetlana Nemolyaeva, Vitaliy Kornienko, Anastasiya Talyzina, and more.”

Ice Sculpture Workshops

For the first time in the festival’s history, Ice Moscow will host ice sculpture workshops, allowing visitors to create their own mini sculptures under the guidance of professional masters. Advance booking via the festival website is recommended, as availability is limited.

Theater, Music, and Carnival Atmosphere

A unique theatrical production of “Buratino” will be performed daily on the main stage (3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 7:00 PM), combining music, choreography, and visual effects. The performance offers a fresh interpretation of the classic story and highlights the power of kindness, creativity, and humor.

Festival guests can also enjoy a wooden fairground town of traditional Russian attractions, including swings, carousels, and a Ferris wheel, a street theater inspired by commedia dell’arte, filling the park with the energy of winter celebrations, and evening DJ open-air sets.

The Festival will also feature a daily colorful carnival procession, as musicians, performers, and fairy-tale characters parade along Poklonnaya Hill’s central avenue. Visitors are encouraged to join the procession in costumes, masks, and festive makeup — because Ice Moscow is not only a spectacle, but a place where everyone becomes part of the celebration.

Festival Highlights