Russian Orthodox Christmas
January
Celebrations of the birth of Christ take place at churches throughout the city.
Throughout the city

Prodexpo
February
Don't be put off by the dull name - this is the largest annual food and drink exhibition in Russia, featuring treats from across the Federation.
Expocentr, Krasnopresnenskaya Naberezhnaya 14
Website: www.prod-expo.ru/en 

Maslenitsa or Blini Day
March
Pancakes are made to celebrate the coming of spring, at homes and restaurants.
Throughout the city
Website: www.maslenitsa.com

Women's Day
March
Honouring the role played by women in the revolutionary struggle; men make a special fuss of the women in their lives.
Throughout Moscow

Paskha (Easter)
Late-April or early-May
The main holiday of the Russian Orthodox church, when Russians end 40 days of fasting with midnight church services and a feast of special cakes.
Churches across Moscow

Victory Day
May
Parades take place at battlefields and memorials around Moscow to celebrate the end of World War II.
War memorials throughout the city

Moscow International Film Festival 
June
Muscovites celebrate more than 100 years of Russian cinema with screenings of new and classic films at theatres all over Moscow.
Cinemas across Moscow
Website: www.miff.ru

White Nights Festival.
Late June-mid July
A riot of music, theatre, fireworks and street performances. 
Throughout the city

Fashion Week in Moscow
September
Obsessed by haute couture at the best of times, Moscow goes fashion crazy for this annual design extravaganza.
Gostiny Dvor and other venues around Moscow.
Website: www.fashionweekinmoscow.com

Moscow Day
September
Fireworks fill the sky as Moscow celebrates its foundation with a huge parade and music in Red Square.
Throughout the city

Kremlin Cup
October
Russia's answer to Wimbledon captures the city's attention for nine days in October.
Olympic Stadium, Olimpiysky prospekt (www.olimpik.ru).
Website: www.kremlincup.ru/index-eng.html 

Millionaire Fair
November
The world's most excessive exhibition of luxury goods and lifestyles, appealing to Russia's nouveau riche.
Crocus Expo, Krasnogorsk 4 (eng.crocusexpo.ru)
Website: www.millionairfair.ru/eng

Day of National Unity
November
Communists come out of the woodwork to parade and flag-wave to commemorate the October Revolution.
Throughout the city

December Evenings Festival
December
Classical performances throughout December in the sumptuous surroundings of the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts.
Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Volkhonka ulitsa 12
Website: www.museum.ru/gmii/defengl.htm

Russian Winter Festival
End December-early January
Muscovites get into the spirit of winter with all sorts of special events and rides in troikas (sleighs drawn by three horses).
Izmaylovsky Park and other venues