Where to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Ukraine: 9 ideas for mini-trips and activities
In 2025, Ukrainians are increasingly planning their winter holidays to combine relaxation, recreation, and a change of environment: they are looking for experiences that will restart their emotional state. LIGA.net has collected ideas on where and how to get out of the usual rhythm for a few days in Ukraine, regain your focus and end the year with the right meanings.
Carpathians and Prykarpattia
In winter, the Carpathians traditionally remain the center of Christmas travel. Yaremche, Verkhovyna, Polianytsia, Yablunytsia, Vorokhta, Manyava, Mykulychyn, Slavske offer vacation formats focused not only on ski resorts but also on recovery: spa complexes, vats, silence and nature.
The feeling of a holiday without fuss, snow-covered landscapes, walks and trips to waterfalls – Manyavsky, Druzhynsky, Ilemnyansky, Proboy.
Lviv
Fairs, ancient architecture, streets decorated with festive decorations. Lviv retains the status of the city with the most tangible Christmas aesthetics.
Among other things, Pidhirtsi and Oleski castles are among the easiest routes for a short trip from Lviv.
For a winter weekend, you can choose gastronomic routes, visit the residence of St. Nicholas, and in the evening descend to an orchestra concert, stand-up, Christmas musical, or even listen carols by the Gomin choir from December 23 to January 13.
Among other events of the winter season:
Open-air skating rink in the Medik entertainment complex is open daily from 11:00 to 22:00 at 24 Gorbachevskoho Street.
Park of lanterns in Bohdan Khmelnytsky Park will be open from December 5 to January 25. The space has more than 50,000 lanterns and LED lights, as well as 30 illumination locations – from The Forest of Fairies and Elves to The Golden Dragon.
on December 21, Rynok Square will host christmas fair of veteran business – from 10:00 to 16:00.
Also, from December 22 to January 4, the city will host christmas market.
on December 25-28, from 14:00 to 21:00, the Lviv Palace of Arts (17 Copernicus St.) will host "Festival of donuts and mulled wine" – a gastronomic format with seasonal dishes and warming drinks.
From December 25 to January 7, the following will be open christmas market near Pstruga (49 Bratykh Rohatyntsiv St.).
december 28 at 12:30 starts Star Procession "Flash of Christmas Stars" – Starting point: 1, Muzeiana Square.
december 31 – January 1, the State Museum of Natural History (18 Teatralna St.) will host an exhibition "Expedition to Antarctica". The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 18:00.
Truskavets and Drohobych
Truskavets and Drohobych are for those looking for recovery. Spa complexes, fresh air, mineral waters, and wellness programs will make for a relaxing few days without intense activity.
Lutsk and Rivne region
Lutsk offers a compact itinerary for a winter weekend: Lubart's Castle as the architectural center of the city, Radziwill's Olytsky Castle, and a trip to the Tunnel of Love in Klevan. Suitable for traveling without overloaded planning.
Chernivtsi
The must-see points of the route are the Residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovyna and Dalmatia, also called the Ukrainian Hogwarts, the pedestrian street of Olha Kobylianska, and the drama theater named after her.
The trip can easily be extended to the Khotyn Fortress and the Khotyn National Nature Park in the Chernivtsi region.
Kamianets-Podilskyi and Khmelnytskyi region
A quiet Christmas among architecture and local cuisine.
Kamianets-Podilskyi, Bakota, and the surrounding area of Khmelnytskyi (Smotrytskyi Canyon, Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park) are attracting more and more attention. You can combine different formats: excursions to fortresses, city walks, Christmas meals, and no rush.
Mukachevo
It is worth visiting the Palanok Castle, a unique fortification and architectural structure, and then going to relax in Berehove in the thermal pools.
Uzhhorod
Here you can try the legendary Uzhhorod cake, taste bograch and banosh, visit Uzhhorod Castle, and stroll along the waterfront.
The route can be supplemented with the Transcarpathian Regional Philharmonic and look for mini-sculptures scattered around the city.
Kyiv
This year, Kyiv residents will traditionally be able to visit main Christmas tree its theme is inspired by the frescoes of St. Sophia of Kyiv, which through the centuries have preserved the warmth, soft shades of time and silence in which power lives. Christmas tree, decorated with four and a half thousand toys, illuminated with a warm garland.
"Winterland at VDNKh in Kyiv in 2025 remains the city's main space for mass celebrations. Here work skating rink, Santa's Residence, food court, souvenir fair and other attractions. In addition to the main locations, the organizers have prepared an animation program of snowmen: they will entertain guests on weekends from November 29 to February 22, as well as every hour during the holidays – from December 20 to January 4.
The space is open every day from 10:00 to 21:00 and has about 20 zones with rooms and shelters. In case of power outages, the locations will operate autonomously on generators.
Among other activities:
- There are also other openings in the city rinks: Ice & Lights at the Platforma Art Factory, Crystal Rink near River Mall, and the ice rink next to Respublika Park.
- The largest gift marketplace "Vsi. Svoi" will take place on December 20-21 and 27-28 from 10:00 to 20:00 on the terrace at 12 Desyatynna Street. It will feature gifts from Ukrainian brands and authentic dishes for a festive dinner.
- Another option for rebooting is recreation centers (on the Kyiv Sea) and retreat spaces in a pine forest with baths, pools, and vats near Kyiv. Popular options include Eden Resort, Shelest, Sobi Club, Dali Space, and others.
- Complete year in a cultural format, you can december 31 at the concert "Five hours before the New Year". The National Academic Orchestra of Folk Instruments will perform Ukrainian and international Christmas and New Year's hits under the direction of People's Artist of Ukraine Viktor Hutsal at the Ukraina Palace.
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