New Year's Eve near the front line: how Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Sumy will celebrate 2026

The holiday season in Ukraine is overshadowed by shelling and curfews. Find out how New Year's Eve will be celebrated in Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Dnipro

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Ukraine is celebrating its fourth New Year during a full-scale war amid constant air raid sirens, strikes on cities, and attacks on energy infrastructure. As UNIAN notes, in regions near the front lines and close to the border, the festive atmosphere this season is more of an attempt to maintain normality than a boisterous celebration. The publication describes how the Christmas and New Year period will unfold in Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, and Dnipro, taking into account security restrictions, curfews, transport schedules, and even locations that have “moved” underground.

Kharkiv: a “fairy tale” against a backdrop of anxiety and underground holiday locations

According to UNIAN, Christmas and New Year celebrations in Kharkiv will be more active than last year, but the overall mood remains subdued due to constant threats. Many Kharkiv residents, the publication writes, are choosing a family format without nighttime festivities — “there are not many real holidays during the war.”

The curfew in the city has been shortened (it is in effect from midnight to 5 a.m.), but most establishments, according to UNIAN's correspondent, are operating “as usual” until 6-8 p.m., and on December 31, some will have an even shorter day. Examples cited by the publication: the NEMO dolphinarium with the program “Labuba's New Year's Adventure” — ticket price 600 UAH, the last session is usually at 18:00, but on December 31 — at 15:00. Theaters and cinemas are mostly closed since 2022, so entertainment programs are concentrated in shopping malls — Nikolsky, French Boulevard, and others, mainly during the day and with an emphasis on children.

The Nikolsky shopping center has a Multiplex cinema, which is showing You Are the Universe, The Train to Christmas, the new Avatar, Zootopia 2, as well as an 18+ night screening of One Quiet Night. At the same time, even the latest screenings in Kharkiv are at 8:40 p.m., which, as UNIAN explains, is due to logistics: ground transportation is mostly available until 9:00 p.m., the metro runs from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and does not cover all “bedroom” areas, so after that, there are essentially only taxis with “night rates.”

Restaurants and bars are preparing holiday menus. However, most will not be open on New Year's Eve: the publication provides examples of schedules — Café 1654 until 7:00 p.m., Bunker Pub and UTOPIA BAR until 6:00 p.m., Restaurant Paris until 5:00 p.m., and Frau Miller bar will not be open on December 31 and January 1. Some establishments — “Slepa Svinia” and “44 FAVORITE PLACE” — will be open until 9:00 p.m.

Nighttime “corporate parties” are possible, as UNIAN emphasizes, but there are not many of them: some establishments are operating in closed mode with a ban on entry/exit throughout the night and a deposit required in advance. Among these, the publication mentions Pushka (deposit of 2,000 UAH per person, 4,000 UAH for corporate parties) and Gershir on Saltivskoe Shosse (prices from 800 UAH). A noticeable trend in Kharkiv is to “hide the most interesting things underground”: many locations are in basements or next to protected premises, and the Kvestoria service even offers “50 locations with basement banquets.”

The publication also draws attention to the role of the city and the metro: holiday programs for children started on December 10 and will continue until January 29, with St. Nicholas' house and part of the fair “moving” underground. Concerts are held almost daily at the Istorychnyi Muzey, Universytet, Yaroslav Mudryi, and Naukovy stations. At the same time, the city is “very decorated” — with garlands, figures, and photo zones. According to the publication, Mayor Ihor Terekhov says that no budget funds were spent: the decorations are from last year, and the new ones were paid for by entrepreneurs.

The electricity situation varies depending on the district: after massive strikes, problems last 1–2 days, and then the city returns to a more stable regime; in the fall of 2025, street lighting began to be turned off at 8 p.m.

Chernihiv: no main Christmas tree, but with a nativity scene and children's holidays

In Chernihiv, according to UNIAN, the situation on the eve of the holidays remains tense: daily and nightly alarms, shelling of civilian infrastructure, and prolonged power outages. There is no main Christmas tree, New Year's village, or food court on the square — for the third year in a row (since 2023), the city has refused to hold large-scale events, the publication explains, citing the Department of Culture and Tourism of the Chernihiv City Council.

At the same time, the tradition of the Christmas nativity scene in Bohdan Khmelnytsky Square near the Pyatnytska Church is being preserved. According to UNIAN, the possibility of installing several small Christmas trees is being considered there, as was done in previous years.

Chernihiv resident Iryna Medvid told the publication that she used to be fundamentally opposed to celebrations, but now believes that society needs positive emotions and that the Christmas tree should be brought back at least as an “emotional support.” In her family, New Year's Eve is more of a normal day with a festive dinner, and Christmas is a time when the family gets together.

There is demand for children's parties: Ruslana Yakovleva, head of the Zabava agency, noted that organizers have orders, and parents often choose basement locations. Their hub works even without electricity thanks to battery-powered lamps; during an alarm, the party is stopped, and it can only continue with the consent of the parents.

Restaurants in the center of Chernihiv are decorated, photo zones are open, and the Hollywood shopping center has set up a skating rink and is installing a festive town. Some restaurants have New Year's programs, but on New Year's Eve, as UNIAN emphasizes, not all of them will be open due to the curfew. The publication gives an example of the cost of festive dishes: from 1,000 hryvnia per person, the menu includes duck according to a signature recipe, veal loin, meat and catfish shashlik, poultry pâté, and “pine jam.” One of the establishments informed UNIAN that it has reservations for New Year's Eve but asked not to be named.

Hotels are taking different approaches. According to UNIAN, River Side on the banks of the Desna River has refused to hold New Year's events and is taking reservations as usual. In contrast, the Shishkin SPA Hotel is offering a three-day “Night You Will Never Forget” package (December 31-January 2): children's entertainment, a gala dinner, live music, a photo session, and a barbecue picnic on January 1. Prices start at 20,000 UAH per room, with a 15% discount for military personnel.

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Dnipro: the main Christmas tree will be installed in the metro

In Dnipro, the main Christmas tree will be placed in the metro for the first time — at the Vokzalna station, which is used as a shelter during emergencies. According to UNIAN, this was reported by city services: the opening is on December 25, the location will be open until January 15, 2026, and admission is free. Train traffic will not be stopped: the area leading to the trains will be fenced off.

Mykola Sichovyi, director of the municipal enterprise Misksvitlo, as quoted by UNIAN, emphasizes that safety is a key priority, and the location was chosen so that it could accommodate many people. Instead of the former 20-meter Christmas tree, which was installed on Heroes of Maidan Square, only a smaller structure is physically possible in the metro: the city announced a tender for UAH 3.4 million to purchase a 5-meter Christmas tree and garlands to decorate the escalator vaults.

In addition, Christmas trees are lit up in all districts of Dnipro: on Kelensky Boulevard in the city center, on the observation deck in Shevchenko Park, and in Usachov Square on the left bank. New photo zones have also appeared; 17 km of garlands and 30 illuminated figures of characters, according to the publication, will work even during power outages, as they have an uninterruptible power supply.

Public celebrations on New Year's Eve are possible, but with restrictions. UNIAN writes that SOHO Restaurant & Bar is offering a private party from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 5 a.m. on January 1: guests will not be able to leave the complex until morning, but a hotel is available; the underground parking lot will serve as a shelter in case of an emergency. The program includes a menu, a host, a band, a ballet, a DJ, a photographer, contests, and dancing. The cost is 7,000 UAH per person.

Odessa: the main Christmas tree on Greek Square and active city celebrations

Odessa, although not located near the front line, has recently suffered greatly from shelling. At the same time, according to the publication, the city is trying to maintain the festive atmosphere. Greek Square has become the center of events: the main Christmas tree has been installed there, along with a “residence of goodness,” a stage, and a fair. There are caroling, light shows, and performances by actors. New Year's Eve celebrations are planned for December 31: the concert will start at 7 p.m., and at 10 p.m., transportation (which will operate longer than usual) will take people to their neighborhoods.

Deputy Head of the Odessa Regional Military Administration Olena Lozova calls the celebration “special” and one that combines gratitude to the Defense Forces, remembrance of the fallen, inclusive initiatives, support for hospitals, participation of children and volunteers, international solidarity, and cultural activity. According to the publication, light installations of angels — symbols of defenders — will appear on Deribasivska Street, and the windows of houses will be lit with “the light of gratitude.”

UNIAN warns that those who want to celebrate New Year's Eve in a hotel or at a party should plan ahead: packages at popular 4-5-star hotels and well-known restaurants are quickly sold out, and rates often change. As of December 19: Bristol Hotel (5*) — 5–15 thousand UAH/night for a standard room (New Year's rates may be significantly higher), accommodation from December 29 to January 2 is approximately 20–60 thousand UAH; Londonskaya (4*) — 2,800–8,000 UAH/night; NEMO (5*) — 4,000–12,000 UAH/night, packages with SPA and children's programs are more expensive. In some locations in Arcadia, regular prices start at 1,700–3,500 UAH/night, but they increase closer to New Year's Eve.

As UNIAN specifies, many hotels offer special packages with an additional charge for dinner and shows: plus 1,500–6,000 UAH and more per person. An example is New Year's Eve at NEMO with a “dolphinarium party” starting at 9:30 p.m.: a banquet from the brand chef, a dolphin show, saunas and baths, a heated outdoor pool with seawater at +33°C, an aqua bar, contests, and prizes (the main prize is a night in a suite and swimming with dolphins). The cost is 12,000 UAH per person, 6,000 UAH for children 5–12 years old, and free for children under 5 years old.

Restaurants are also preparing offers. UNIAN mentions Veranda, Dacha, Kompot, Ogon, and others. According to the publication, the menu includes beetroot pancakes with smoked pork, mimosa with smoked mackerel, spinach pancakes with salmon, shrimp salads, stuffed fish and forshmak, hot dishes such as veal with prunes and dried apricots or duck legs with truffle sauce, drinks, and a children's table. The cost of a banquet in one of the establishments is 6,000 hryvnia per person, and half that for children.

For tourists, there is an alternative in the form of New Year's tours. UNIAN describes a tour lasting several days (December 31-January 3) with departure by train on December 30 from Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Poltava, and other cities and arrival on the 31st. Accommodation is at the 3* Geneva Park in the center. The program includes a sightseeing tour (Primorsky Boulevard, Birzhovaya/Dumskaya Square, Potemkin Stairs, Deribasovskaya Street), New Year's Eve celebrations in the main square or in a restaurant, and the next day — “Colorful Odessa Courtyards,” as well as visits to museums, “Privoz” and “Deep Odessa Catacombs.” The cost is about 130 euros; the package includes three breakfasts, three excursions, and transfer from the train station to the hotel and back. For an additional 350 UAH, you can purchase “Criminal Odessa” or “Jewish Odessa.”

Sumy: restrained, without mass events and with locations near shelters

In Sumy, according to UNIAN, the celebrations will again be restrained: mass public events have been canceled due to martial law and the proximity of hostilities. An additional factor is the lack of electricity for 10-16 hours a day, which also affects the atmosphere.

The main Christmas tree on Theater Square has not been installed for several years. Instead, according to the publication, a tradition has taken root of decorating live Christmas trees near the Sadko fountain: three trees nearby are used as the “main” tree, and the location remains almost unchanged — only the year in the installation changes. There are deer figures, arches, and other decorations with lights. A popular photo spot is next to the “I Love Sumy” sign, from where you can see the entire location. As UNIAN notes, the place is not very accessible to avoid crowds, and there is shelter nearby, which is an important factor given the drone attacks.

The head of the Sumy MBA, Serhiy Kryvosheyko, explained to the publication that the lights are turned on at certain hours due to strict power outage schedules; for the same reason, street lighting is turned off. Shop windows and restaurants are festively decorated, and there is a large artificial Christmas tree in the Manufaktura shopping center. Sumy State University has set up a Christmas nativity scene and a “residence” for St. Nicholas, where students are preparing performances for children: free shows are planned between Christmas and New Year's Eve, with dates to be announced separately.

There are also paid events for children: Stryha Park and Kids Dreams are organizing a “Christmas Fairy Tale with Santa and Elves” on December 25-26 (separately for children under 6 and 6-12 years old), tickets cost 299 UAH, groups of up to 30 people, with a program and sweet gifts promised. According to UNIAN, accommodation can be rented in the same complex: a one-room apartment costs 5,900 UAH/day, a two-room cottage costs 7,900 UAH, and a three-room cottage costs 9,500 UAH, with a bathhouse and hot tub available at an additional cost.

Most restaurants in the city will have reduced hours on December 31 (until 8:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., or even 2:00 p.m.). At the same time, a restaurant at one of the resorts outside the city invites you to celebrate New Year's Eve: a program from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., a menu from the chef, music, contests, photo zones; prepayment — 3,000 UAH per person.

What is important for foreigners planning a trip to Ukraine for the holidays

Travel and holiday plans in Ukraine directly depend on security restrictions: curfew, transport availability, the availability of shelters, and the stability of the power supply. That is why foreigners entering Ukraine should think in advance not only about their route and accommodation, but also about basic financial security in case of unforeseen situations.

One practical solution that travelers often choose is medical insurance that covers war risks. You can purchase such a policy for foreign citizens online at Visit Ukraine: this allows you to obtain an insurance document in advance and have clear coverage for the period of your stay in the country.

We remind you! During the winter season, Kyiv remains one of the most interesting destinations for Christmas travel: festive locations, cozy fairs, and a rich atmosphere create a special mood even during martial law. The city has adapted its infrastructure so that tourists can safely move around and enjoy the holidays, taking into account the unrest and curfew. Read more about how to prepare for your trip and have a comfortable holiday in the capital.

Photo: Oleksandr Nesterec

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