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.
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 Day - January, 1
Christmas Day - January,7
Defenders of the Fatherland Day - February, 23
International Women's Day - March,8
Easter - April, changing
Labor Day/May Day - May,1
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
