Veliky Ustyug — the birthplace of Santa Claus: how is the holiday going in 2025?

On November 18, children and adults celebrate Santa Claus's birthday in Veliky Ustyug. At this time, the winter wizard becomes the main character of the holiday. The main events are held in the homeland of Santa Claus in Veliky Ustyug. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

Santa Claus's birthday: the history of the holiday

In Russia, Santa Claus's birthday is celebrated on November 18. The date was not chosen by chance, by this time in Veliky Ustyug, in the official homeland of the winter wizard, the first frosts usually come.

The image of Santa Claus has its roots in Slavic mythology. Among the Eastern Slavs, frost was considered the personification of the winter element: he was represented as a short old man with a gray beard who came in winter and was undesirable in summer so as not to harm the harvest. In the middle of the 19th century, the character began to acquire familiar features, changing his names from Morozko and Moroz Ivanovich to St. Nicholas. By the beginning of the 20th century, he had already fully formed as a modern Santa Claus, becoming a symbol of Christmas and New Year before the revolutionary transformations.

After the revolution, in 1929, Santa Claus was banned as part of the Orthodox holiday, as was Christmas itself. In 1936, the character returns, but in a secular interpretation: he comes for the New Year, and the Christmas tree turns into a New Year's tree. Santa Claus of that time was a tall old man with a gray beard, wearing a red, blue or white fur coat with fur trim, carrying a magic staff and a bag of gifts. He travels in a sleigh drawn by three horses.

Since then, the image of Santa Claus has hardly changed. A granddaughter, Snegurochka, appeared, as well as several residences: in Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Moscow, Lapland, at the North Pole and in Veliky Ustyug. The wizard can be in several places at the same time, so the children's letters always reach him regardless of the chosen residence.

The tradition of celebrating Santa Claus's birthday originated in Veliky Ustyug in 2005. It is difficult to determine the exact age of a wizard: his image has changed over the centuries, names and appearances have changed, so the date of birth is lost in history.

How the holiday is celebrated in Veliky Ustyug

Santa Claus in Russia is perceived as a kind wizard and gift giver, but on November 18, attention and congratulations are directed to the hero himself. In cities with official residences, there is a special post office where you can send a postcard or a letter to Santa Claus.

The main venue of the festival is Veliky Ustyug. There are theatrical performances, master classes and competitions, and the finale is the lighting of the lights on the first Christmas tree of the year. On this day, Santa Claus's colleagues from other countries and regions join the celebration: Santa Claus from Europe, Chyskhaan from Yakutia, Mikulash from the Czech Republic, Pakkaine from Karelia, Sagaan Ubugun from Buryatia and Kysh Babai from Tatarstan. There is also a Snow Maiden and other fairy—tale characters - Baba Yaga, Leshy, Vodyanoi.

The holiday gives children the opportunity not only to congratulate Santa Claus, but also to get acquainted with the heroes of different folklore.

How to write a letter to Santa Claus

Messages to the wizard are sent not only by children, but also by adults. According to statistics, about a quarter of the letters come from parents, teachers, military personnel and pensioners. You can send a letter to the official address: 162390, Vologda region, Veliky Ustyug, Oktyabrsky Lane, 1A, Post Office of Santa Claus.

To receive a response, it is important to specify the return address, otherwise the message may remain unanswered. In addition to traditional mail, you can write to Santa Claus online at dedmoroz@vologda.ru or through the official website of the Moscow estate of Santa Claus. Residents of Moscow can send letters to the address: 109472, Moscow, Volgogradsky Ave., vl. 168D, Kuzminsky Forest — the capital residence of the magician is located here.