Maslenitsa 2026: two-thirds of Russians will celebrate the holiday with blini from February 16.

      08:53 January 3 Nina Serebryakova

      AI photo progorodnn.ru

      One of the most revered and large-scale folk holidays in Russia, observed by two-thirds of the population, will begin in the second half of February in 2026. According to a VTsIOM survey, 66 percent of Russians observe this ancient tradition. Across the country, from major cities to remote corners, an extensive program of events is planned, including pancake baking, mass festivities and the burning of an effigy that symbolizes bidding farewell to the cold. According to "MiraNews", the start date of Maslenitsa week is always determined based on the date of Easter. To establish the exact time of the festivities, one must count back 56 days from the day of the Bright Resurrection of Christ. Since in 2026 Easter falls on April 12, Maslenitsa week will begin on February 16 and end on February 22. Each of these seven days has its own unique meaning and customs, carefully preserved in Russian culture for centuries.

      The whole week is divided by days, starting with Monday, called "Vstrecha" ("Meeting"). On this day the construction of snow towns and preparation of the effigy were completed. Tuesday was called "Zaigryshi" and was a time for bride viewings. Wednesday, known as "Lakomka", involved the son-in-law's visit to his mother-in-law for pancakes. Thursday, or "Razgulyay", marked the start of wide celebrations. Friday was set aside for "mother-in-law's evenings", when the son-in-law hosted his mother-in-law, and Saturday was called "Zolovkiny posidelki". The week ends with Forgiveness Sunday, when it is customary to ask forgiveness from loved ones and cleanse oneself before the start of Great Lent.

      The origins of this holiday go back to ancient times, even before the adoption of Christianity, although the first documentary mention dates to the 16th century. Initially the celebration was connected with the day of the spring equinox and the seeing off of winter. According to one theory, pancakes symbolized the sun and were dedicated to the god Yarila; according to another, the holiday was dedicated to Veles, the patron of cattle-breeding. The Russian Orthodox Church in the 18th century included Maslenitsa in its liturgical calendar as Cheesefare Week, a period of preparing believers for Great Lent, permitting the consumption of dairy products and fish, but excluding meat.

      Festive events will be held on a grand scale in many regions of Russia. For example, in the Kaluga region, at the Nikola-Lenivets art park on February 21 large-scale art objects will again be created for a spectacular burning. At the ethnographic park-museum "Ethnomir" guests can expect traditional entertainments, craft fairs and performances by folk ensembles. Moscow Region and the capital are also preparing an extensive program in parks and estates where one can immerse oneself in the atmosphere of old Russian life and try pancakes. In addition to Moscow and the Moscow Region, active festivities are planned in Sverdlovsk Region and Nizhny Novgorod. In the Ural "Park of Tales" visitors will be greeted by fairy-tale characters and Ural-Moroz, and in Nizhny Novgorod parks competitions of wit and strength will take place. Traditionally the holiday is accompanied by the preparation of pancakes according to the most diverse recipes: from classic thin milk pancakes to fluffy yeast ones, which are the key gastronomic symbol of the coming spring.

      Recall that on November 5, 2025 the calendar for 2026 was approved, which included 118 days off and five long weekends. In particular, a three-day break from February 21 to 23 was planned, opening up opportunities for short trips.

      More news about the event:

      Maslenitsa week in the Nizhny Novgorod Region will start on February 16

      Maslenitsa week in the Nizhny Novgorod Region in 2026 will start on February 16. 11:46 03.01.2026 vGorodeN.Ru - Nizhny Novgorod

      Maslenitsa-2026: two-thirds of Russians will celebrate the holiday with pancakes from February 16

      08:53 January 3

      Nina Serebryakova

      AI photo progorodnn.ru

      One of the most revered and large-scale folk holidays in Russia, observed by two-thirds of the population, 09:12 03.01.2026 ProGorodNN.Ru - Nizhny Novgorod