Russians love to celebrate, and Russia's public holidays should not be treated lightly. For the most important holidays — New Year's, Christmas, and the May holidays — many shops close down completely and city streets become strangely quiet. All government offices are closed on public holidays, and most overseas embassies are too. Sometimes it can be a little complicated figuring out which days the country shuts down. If the holiday falls on a Monday or a Friday, then everything is simple — it's a day off. If it falls on a weekend, then the Friday or Monday will also be a day off. If it falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday then the weekend will be shifted a day in the right direction and the Saturday or Sunday becomes a working day, with the three days off being Sunday-Monday-Tuesday or Thursday-Friday-Saturday. If the holiday falls on a Wednesday then there is no long weekend.

Russian Holiday Schedule

New Year's Day - January 1,2

Christmas Day - January 7

Defenders of the Motherland Day - February 23

International Women's Day - March 8

Easter - April 27(2003), April 11 (2004)

Labor Day/May Day - May 1,2

Victory Day - May 9

Independence Day -June 12

Day of Accord and Reconciliation

The holiday formerly known as the

Day of the Great October Revolution - November 7

Constitution Day - December 12