The 12th season of the “Winter Country” winter entertainment project will open on November 27, 2026, at the National Complex “Expocenter of Ukraine” (VDNG) in Kyiv, featuring over 20 themed attractions for children and adults, according to the VDNG press service.
According to the press release, this season the organizers will update the festive decorations, expand several popular entertainment zones, and set up new themed areas. As is tradition, the central attractions will be the 3,000-square-meter open-air ice rink and the main New Year’s tree.
The central entrance to the Expocenter will be decorated with illuminated reindeer figures, and the main avenue will feature decorative hot-air balloons. The Christmas tree will be adorned with new ornaments and garlands that will create the effect of a starry sky.
A decorative train and a clock tower will be installed near the ice rink, recreating the atmosphere of a festive train station. The ice arena will remain one of the largest entertainment venues of the winter season at VDNG.
One of the main new attractions will be the “Christmas Tree Ornament Fair” in Pavilion No. 2. Here, visitors will find designer collections of New Year’s ornaments, traditional Ukrainian Christmas motifs, and festive displays. Visitors will be able to purchase ornaments and order personalized inscriptions on them.
Pavilion No. 1 will host “Santa’s Residence,” featuring themed decorations, performances, and interactive programs with Santa and his elves.
In addition, a new 28-meter-tall Ferris wheel will be installed at VDNG. It will be twice as tall as the previous one and will be located near Pavilion No. 1.
The organizers also plan to expand the “Snow Sandbox,” which was open last season. Visitors will be able to have snowball fights and build snowmen. The themed area “Mr. Divko’s Wonderland” will feature giant fairy-tale figures, performances, and entertainment programs.
An expanded amusement park will be open during the winter season. Among the new attractions is the “Hawk,” which rotates 360 degrees. Also available will be the “Big Chain” carousel, escape rooms, and winter slides.
The “Christmas Factory of Dreams,” “Shumiland,” “Science Museum,” “KUBOID,” Animal Park, Kitchen&Garden, “Orangery,” and Book.ua Space will continue to operate.
A “Warm Alley” will also be set up on the Expocenter grounds, featuring photo zones, festive decorations, and food outlets. The Christmas fair will feature seasonal dishes, drinks, and sweets. The “Northern Express” will operate with an audio tour to help visitors explore the grounds.
Overall, the organizers plan to hold a series of cultural, festive, and entertainment events throughout the season.
Special attention was paid during preparations to energy self-sufficiency and visitor safety. According to VDNG, the “Winter Wonderland” venues will be powered by their own generators, which will allow them to remain operational during power outages. Energy-efficient LED lighting will be used for the festive illuminations.
Additional shelters are also planned to be set up on the Expocenter grounds before the start of the winter season. In total, they will be located in nine pavilions. According to the organizers’ estimates, in the event of an air raid alert, approximately 10,000 people will be able to take shelter simultaneously at VDNG and in safe areas near the complex.
Mastercard and the state-owned Oschadbank are the general partners of this year’s “Winter Country.”
The project will run daily from November 27, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and on weekends and holidays from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Admission to the VDNG grounds will remain free, though certain attractions and entertainment venues may require a fee.
The National Complex “Expocenter of Ukraine” (VDNG) is an exhibition and cultural complex in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, opened in 1958. It covers an area of approximately 286 hectares. The complex is used to host exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and educational, cultural, and sporting events. “Winter Country” is one of Expocenter’s seasonal entertainment projects.
Detailed information about the program and the venues’ operating hours is available on the VDNG official website, as well as on social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Viber.
