Russians love to celebrate, and Russia's public holidays should not be treated lightly.
For the most important holidays — New Year's, Christmas, and the May holidays — many shops close down completely and city streets become strangely quiet. All government offices are closed on public holidays, and most overseas embassies are too.
Sometimes it can be a little complicated figuring out which days the country shuts down.
If the holiday falls on a Monday or a Friday, then everything is simple — it's a day off. If it falls on a weekend, then the Friday or Monday will also be a day off.
If it falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday then the weekend will be shifted a day in the right direction and the Saturday or Sunday becomes a working day, with the three days off being Sunday-Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday-Saturday.
If the holiday falls on a Wednesday then there is no long weekend.
Russian Holiday Schedule
| New Year's Day | January | 1-4 |
| Russian Orthodox Christmas Day | January | 7 |
| Defenders of the Motherland Day | February | 25 |
| International Women's Day | March | 8 |
| Labor Day/May Day | May | 1-2 |
| Victory Day | May | 9 |
| Russia Day | June | 12 |
| National Unity Day
| November | 4 |
| Constitution Day | December | 12 |
