The Soviet Union officially celebrated the New Year holiday for the first time in 1935. New Year's traditions also appeared during Soviet times, people bought tangerines, made Olivier salad, and listened to the Kremlin's chimes, during which it was obligatory to make a wish. Later, the tradition of the state leader addressing the country's citizens a few minutes before midnight appeared.
People dance at the New Year's ball in 1974.
© Sputnik / David Sholomovich / Go to the mediabankThe lights of the New Year tree lit up in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions.
The lights of the New Year tree lit up in the Hall of Columns of the House of Unions.
Children stand by the New Year tree, 1966.
© Sputnik / Go to the mediabankPilot-cosmonauts from the USSR - German Titov, Yuri Gagarin, Pavel Popovich and Andrian Nikolayev (from left to right) raise glasses in honour of the upcoming new year, 1963.
Pilot-cosmonauts from the USSR - German Titov, Yuri Gagarin, Pavel Popovich and Andrian Nikolayev (from left to right) raise glasses in honour of the upcoming new year, 1963.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Rodionov / Go to the mediabankMoscow residents carry New Year's trees on the eve of the New Year, 1978.
Moscow residents carry New Year's trees on the eve of the New Year, 1978.
New Year's Eve in one of Moscow's clubs, 1938.
© Sputnik / Dmitry Debabov / Go to the mediabankSanta Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) walks on a city street, 1973
Santa Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) walks on a city street, 1973
© Sputnik / Valery Gende-Rote / Go to the mediabankA girl holds a magic ball in her hand at the exhibition of Christmas tree decorations in Moscow, 1973.
A girl holds a magic ball in her hand at the exhibition of Christmas tree decorations in Moscow, 1973.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Fedorenko / Go to the mediabankRussian dancing (pereplyas) at the New Year's festivities in Moscow, 1987.
Russian dancing (pereplyas) at the New Year's festivities in Moscow, 1987.
© Sputnik / Boris Kavashkin / Go to the mediabankThe brother of the engineer of the Moscow design institute Giprotis from the USSR's Gosstroy Alexander Guskov, Yury and his mother Tamara Mikhailovna are preparing a festive meal, 1970.
The brother of the engineer of the Moscow design institute Giprotis from the USSR's Gosstroy Alexander Guskov, Yury and his mother Tamara Mikhailovna are preparing a festive meal, 1970.
© Sputnik / Valery Gende-Rote / Go to the mediabankChildren look at a stand with holiday decorations at the exhibition of Christmas tree decorations in Moscow, 1973.
Children look at a stand with holiday decorations at the exhibition of Christmas tree decorations in Moscow, 1973.
© Sputnik / David Sholomovich / Go to the mediabankStudents from different countries at the New Year's Eve ball of young people in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, 1964.
Students from different countries at the New Year's Eve ball of young people in the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, 1964.
© Sputnik / V. Shiyanovskiy / Go to the mediabankSanta Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) talks to a girl, 1972.
Santa Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) talks to a girl, 1972.
© Sputnik / David Sholomovich / Go to the mediabankNew Year's ball in the Grand Kremlin Palace, 1955.
New Year's ball in the Grand Kremlin Palace, 1955.
© Sputnik / Anatoliy Garanin / Go to the mediabankNew Year's ball for young people in the Kremlin, Moscow, 1954.
New Year's ball for young people in the Kremlin, Moscow, 1954.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Fedorenko / Go to the mediabankSanta Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka) come to visit with gifts, 1987.
Santa Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka) come to visit with gifts, 1987.
© Sputnik / V. Shiyanovskiy / Go to the mediabankMoscow Palace of Pioneers on the Lenin Hills (now Sparrow Hills) to celebrate the New Year tree, 1972.
Moscow Palace of Pioneers on the Lenin Hills (now Sparrow Hills) to celebrate the New Year tree, 1972.
A Moscow family ringing in the New Year, 1987.
© Sputnik / David Sholomovich / Go to the mediabankRinging in the New Year. Children with gifts from Santa Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka), 1954.
Ringing in the New Year. Children with gifts from Santa Claus (Grandfather Frost, Ded Moroz) and Snow Maiden (Snegurochka), 1954.
© Sputnik / Vladimir Fedorenko / Go to the mediabankPeople walk along the Old Arbat pedestrian street during the New Year holidays, 1987.
People walk along the Old Arbat pedestrian street during the New Year holidays, 1987.
Ringing in the new year with champagne, 1961.