In Moscow, access to Red Square will be restricted from 6:00 PM on December 31, 2025, until 10:00 AM on January 1, 2026, according to the city’s main directorate. The exception will be the GUM Skating Rink, which will continue to operate according to its regular schedule.

This restriction is being introduced to ensure safety on New Year’s Eve. It was also in effect in 2023 and 2024.

It was announced that fireworks will not be launched in the capital during this period. Similar bans on launching fireworks have been introduced in several other regions, including Kursk and Bryansk Oblasts, Udmurtia, and Perm Krai.

The metro, the Moscow Central Circle (MCC), and some bus and tram routes will operate without interruption on New Year’s Eve. Travel on them will be made free of charge. The operating hours of the Moscow Central Diameters (MCD) will be extended until 3:00 AM.

Red Square

Red Square is a historic public square in the heart of Moscow, Russia, originally established in the late 15th century as a marketplace and later serving as a site for major ceremonies, military parades, and public proclamations. It is bordered by iconic landmarks like the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the State Historical Museum, symbolizing Russian political and cultural power throughout its history.

GUM Skating Rink

The GUM Skating Rink is a large, seasonal outdoor ice rink installed each winter in the heart of Moscow’s Red Square, directly in front of the historic GUM department store. It was first opened in 2006, transforming the iconic square into a festive public recreation area. The rink offers a unique opportunity to skate with views of the Kremlin, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and the GUM building’s 19th-century facade.

Moscow Central Circle (MCC)

The Moscow Central Circle (MCC) is a 54-kilometer urban railway loop that opened in 2016, repurposing the historic Little Ring Railway originally built for freight in 1908. It is fully integrated into the Moscow Metro system, providing crucial transport links between radial lines and revitalizing former industrial districts.

Moscow Central Diameters (MCD)

The Moscow Central Diameters (MCD) are a network of surface commuter rail lines integrated into Moscow’s urban transport system, launched in 2019. They repurpose and modernize existing suburban railway corridors to create high-frequency, metro-like services that connect the city center with outlying districts and nearby towns. The project is a key part of Moscow’s strategy to alleviate road and metro congestion by better utilizing the historic radial railway infrastructure originally built during the Imperial and Soviet eras.