How To Visit Grandfather Frost In His Hometown Veliky Ustyug

Every year, a snowy bearded man visits well behaved children, bringing with him gifts and festive seasonal cheer. In Russia, he goes by Grandfather Frost, or Ded Moroz, and he lives in the north of the nation. Anticipation can be such a killer, so if you can’t wait for him to come to you, consider paying him a visit instead.

Who is Grandfather Frost?

Grandfather Frost is Russia’s fur-cloaked and red-robed Father Christmas equivalent. In Russia, the end-of-year festivities hinge on the New Year rather than Christmas, and so each year he puts gifts under the New Year’s tree for children. According to legend, he is the 2,000-year-old Slavic wizard of winter. He predates Christianity in Russia, and tales from this era say he is the son of the pagan god of earth and the underworld, Veles, and Mara, the ancient goddess of Spring. However, Slavic mythology claims he is a demon.

Who is Snegurochka?

Is Grandfather Frost Nice?

Don’t mistake Grandfather Frost for a benign jolly fat Santa. Although the old man loves to give presents to well behaved and kind children who work hard and listen to their parents, he will swiftly punish naughty kids. In fact, the old man used to be a bit of a brute. Legend has it he used to kidnap little children and hold them for ransom. People would feed him bowls of sweet porridge so he wouldn’t freeze their plants. Nikolai Nekrasov, a 19th-century poet, once wrote a tale in which Grandfather Frost killed a widow and orphaned her children. So, no, Grandfather Frost isn’t always nice.

Has He Been Effected by Sovietism?

Despite religious suppression under the Communist regime, Old Man Frost was permitted as a celebratory symbol during Soviet times. Technically not a religious character, he drew the festive season’s focus away from Christmas and religion and towards the secular New Year. When the Union collapsed, several of the previously Christian post-Soviet states, such as Ukraine and Bulgaria, reclaimed their religious freedoms and chose to celebrate the season with more religious characters instead. The Islamic republics of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have either banned or encouraged their media to reduce Grandfather Frost’s presence, in an effort to preserve their religious heritage.

Where does Grandfather Frost Live?

He lives in Veiky Ustyug, a sleepy little town in north-west Russia that revels in its most famous resident. Legend says that this is where Grandfather Frost starts his annual journey, and in 1999 it officially became his residence. The town boasts several museums in his honour, which showcase festive trinkets and costumes. There’s also a theme park, and people can visit the old man’s house all year round to meander down the Path of Fairy Tales, visit his magic school and even see a few reindeer roaming around.

Ded Moroz’s House, Votkin Ded Moroz 1, Mardengskoye, Russia, +8 817 385 21 32

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.