Holidays in Russia:

January 1 New Year's Day
The New Year is the first and the most popular holiday. Many people celebrate it twice, on January 1 and 14 (which corresponds to January 1 in the Julian calendar, used in Russia before 1918).

January 7 Orthodox Christmas. Orthodox church still uses the Julian calendar, that's why many Orthodox church holidays are celebrated 2 weeks later than corresponding Catholic holidays.

March 8 International Women's Day
This holiday is celebrated in the fashion of Mother's Day with flowers or breakfast in bed - in which men show appreciation for the women. This day men try to do traditionally "women's" work.

May 1-2 Spring and Labor Holiday
Mayday, until recently officially termed International Workers' Solidarity Day, is now known as Spring and Labour Day.

May 9 Victory Day
Russia, like other former republic of USSR celebrates Victory Day on May 9 to venerate the memory of millions of Soviet citizens fallen in World War II. Flowers and wreaths are laid on wartime graves on this day, and veterans come out into the streets wearing their military orders and medals. Military parade is held and salutes are fired.

June 12 Independence Day
Russia's newest holiday, Independence Day, which commemorates the adoption in 1991 of the Declaration of Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

August 22 Day of the Russian Federation State Flag

November 7 Day of Accord and Conciliation. In Soviet times it was the most important holiday dedicated to the anniversary of the socialist revolution of October 1917 which established communist power. The system is gone, but the custom remains and authorities do not dare to cancel it and cause discontent of most Russian people.

December 12 Constitution Day
This holiday marks the adoption of the 1993 constitution, which legitimized the end of the Soviet era.