Russia’s Golden Autumn always passes far too quickly, and then the Endless Winter sets in. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you probably have picked up on the fact that my biggest grumble with Russian winters isn’t the weather — or the cold, to be more specific. It’s the oppressing grayness.
In the last month I have traveled to six different European countries, and what struck me, in all of them, was how much foliage their landscapes boast until practically the Christmas hols. Not so in central Russia — the trees and shrubs are bare by late October. Yet, probably to a surprise of many a foreigner, this does not mean the onset of snowy Winter Wonderland. In fact, during the winter months it is becoming increasingly common for Moscow to experience weeks and even months of harsh, negative-teens temperature and heavy gray clouds with nary a snowflake in sight.
Which is why I am so delighted by this year’s surprisingly early appearance of outdoor decorations. I am not talking shopping-motivating store-fronts and thematic Yolka trees, but regular parks and alleys, which started getting brightened up by myriads of shimmering lights in the last week of October. Just what a gray Moscow winter needs.
Tverskoy Boulevard with lights trickling down like a snowy waterfall
Shimmering Cafe Pushkin
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Home & Away 
They’ve put them up here, but not turned them on yet…
Because you probably still have this crazy thing called sunshine!
YES!!!!!! 🙂
How wonderful. Those are the sort of Christmas lights Iine. Not a Disney character in sight!
I think we will get some fairy tale characters closer to the actual hols, but right now it’s all about the lights.
Nice! I am going to have to get out there when it’s dark (AKA around 4). There’s also usually a really good display somewhere around metro ul. 1905.
OOOOH! I had no idea. It’s a bit out of the way for me but I should venture out… and I also hope there are more actual yolkas this year than the last!
http://www.christmaslightfestival.ru/
Found it! That’s the site although it hasn’t been updated in years (typical) – I’m sure it’ll happen again this year and it was well-worth it.
oooh, nice! I am ALMOST excited about winter now!
(ok, that’s over now)
Ooh, I love those trees, so pretty!
And I love that they’ll keep them probably till March – the only thing that makes the endless winter barely tolerable 🙂
SO, so,so beautiful winter evening!!!!:)
Except it’s still mid-November 🙂
For Russians November is already winter. I remember in Latvia from mid November I took out winter clothes and around 18th we usually got first snow.:) And snow comes from Moscow. If it is snowing in Moscow then usually in a week it is snowing in Riga.
Well, we have been REALLY short on snow the last couple of winters!
Cafe Pushkin looks amazing! Hope the interior (and the food) measures up! A couple of Christmas markets have already opened here – and mulled wine is on every corner! 🙂
I’ve heard that it’s gorgeous and all the waiters are in livery coats, but except for breakfast it’s prohibitively expensive without an expense account. (and no I dont have one yet 🙂 )
Yet! Guess that means you’ll have to get up early then – unless they have a boozy brunch option!
sooo pretty! this is getting me even more ramped up for the holidays! (it’s a little hard to get really excited about it when I’m wearing short sleeves outside)
Oh yeah, rub it in….. would you mind sending some photos of you on the beach while you’re at it?
har har, but seriously..can do 😉 (come visit!!)
The tree one is magical. I love the first one as well.
Did you watch the videos? The trees are mesmerizing. I could watch for hours if it werent so cold!
They look marvellous. I love the pretty lights especially on the buildings. So much like intricate snowflakes!
I cant wait to see what’s around the rest of Moscow – this is just my neighborhood!
Hi Anna! I know exactly what you mean about fall in Russia… I lived in Canada and there happens basically the same. As I spent my first winter ever there, I still have it as my example of winter, so here in Europe I find it weird there it rarely snows in November… while in Canada it has started snowing in October. But I like that the winter is not so harsh around here. 🙂
I’m in London right now and there is SO. MUCH. GREEN! How do the leaves stay on, it’s not like I’m in the tropics or even the Mediterranean? I would deal with the winter so much easier if there wasn’t all the grayness.
I know, winter is harder when is grey and dark all the time 😦 and I believe in Russia is also like in Canada, lasts longer. I know exactly how you feel. Enjoy your time in London and the green 🙂
I love these. They’re so pretty. Sadly, there’s that whole “don’t be offensive, nothing that suggests a specific holiday” bullshit here, so we’re sans many fun things 😦
Well these arent holiday-specific, also because if they were, it would be the faith-neutral New Year’s! You can be whimsical AND inclusive 🙂