Red Square Christmas Market

Moscow has been home to a lot of trade, especially the Red Square, since the Middle Ages, with many old shopping streets, such as Nikolskaya or Varvarka being formed due to the trade. Under Catherine the Great, Russia started designing newer and modern shopping spaces in the places of older outdated merchant rows.^[6] Thus, the first version of the Upper Trading Rows appeared on Muscovite maps that are nowadays known as the GUM department store, which opened in 1893.^[7] The Christmas fair was opened for the first time in 2013, on the 120th anniversary of the opening of the GUM department store.^[8]

There are 63 stands on the fair, that are decorated and built just like other European Christmas markets, with the difference being that Russians concentrate more on Novy God than Christmas (which takes place on January 7th) itself. People can buy "Yolka" balls, knitted mittens, traditional Russian decorations and food from Russia, regions under Russian influence and generally popular Christmas food such as Bavarian sausages or Russian blinchiki. A circular "battery" of counters is located in the center, where they sell balloons, going from 500 up to 1,000 rubles. Ded Moroz or Cheburashka figures are also sold, costing up to 12,600 rubles. There are also carousels, an ice rink and stands where children can take pictures with Ded Moroz and Snegurochka.^[2][9][10]

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  A big nutcracker doll at the center
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  Carousel at daytime
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  Busy streets at night
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  Ded Moroz attending the fair
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  Station of Pervyy Kanal
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  Stands of the fair covered in snow