Christmas Lviv is something incredible! Without any exaggeration. So many unforgettable events, vivid impressions and fantastic atmosphere in one place – this is possible only in Lviv during the Christmas holidays.
Traditions and customs
Lviv is full of colors for Christmas and loud songs are heard in the streets. Locals have a special awe for the traditions and cultural features of this holiday. Despite the fact that most of the locals are Catholics, the city loudly celebrates Orthodox Christmas.
The brightest traditional performances begin on January 5-7 at Christmas.
A paved nativity scene, the pride of Ukraine’s national heritage, walks along the cobblestones. Characters of folklore and church stories walk around the city, sing songs and treat children to sweets. Nativity scenes come to private houses as well as to shops, restaurants and cozy corners of Lviv.
What to do in Lviv for Christmas
This year the key events of the Christmas period will be:
January 6, 12:00 – Installation of Santa Claus (Yavorsky Square) – a traditional event for the Lviv community to discover the ancient symbol of harvest, prosperity, wealth, spiritual life of Ukrainians, the amulet of the family.
January 7, 19:00 – Carol with Ulyana Gorbachevskaya (Yavorsky Square) – a unique theatrical Christmas action, based on the traditional Ukrainian nativity scene of the 17th century.
January 9, 16:00 – Carol with Kurbas (Malanyuk Square) – the group “Kurbas” invites to carols and hot tea near the art object in the form of a Christmas tree.
January 15, 17:00 – Performance “Christmas extravaganza” from the theater “Resurrection” (courtyard of the Town Hall) – a Christmas performance using theatrical masks and holiday lights. The story of the “Christmas extravaganza” is based on elements of the Christmas nativity scene.
In addition to these events, many traditional thematic events and performances, carols and parties will take place on the territory of Lviv MTG. All these events will take place in compliance with quarantine regulations.
Where to go and what to visit
Christmas traditions in Lviv are a rich cultural and spiritual program, which includes such famous festivals as:
“Christmas to the grove”
It is a holiday that gathers many families for open-air folk festivals. During the celebrations, attendees will be able to immerse themselves in Ukrainian traditions and become a participant in nativity scenes, caroling from house to house. The museum also makes Christmas stars on this day.
In addition, there are also master classes, readings of Christmas tales, fairs, which offer traditional dishes – honey, donuts, compote. Participants of the festival will be able to learn the history of the oldest estates, join the ancient customs.
When and where: in Shevchenkivsky grove (Chernecha gora, 1), January 7-8
“Christmas Star Flash”
The festival with the traditional festive “Walk of the Stars” will take place on the central streets of Lviv.
The “Walk of the Stars”, sometimes called the “Parade of Nativity Scenes”, will begin at 12:30 from Museum Square. Hundreds of Lviv residents and guests will walk the streets of the city in the light of Christmas beauties. The mayor of Lviv will meet the stargazer near the city shop on Rynok Zvyzdariv Square.
The procession will end on the square in front of the Lviv Opera House, after which carols will perform on the main stage.
When and where: the action will take place along the route: Museum Square – Market Square – the square in front of the Opera House, January 8