New Year's celebrations in Ukraine during the war: which direction to choose

For many Ukrainians, this will already be the third New Year, which they will celebrate in the conditions of a full-scale war. However, despite the difficult situation, the festive mood is still alive, and tourist destinations in Ukraine are ready to welcome guests even in these difficult times. Ukrainians are increasingly looking for options where they can relax, relieve stress and forget about military operations for at least a few days. We found out which destinations for celebrating the New Year are popular among Ukrainians and whether there is a demand for New Year's tours in conditions of war.

If in the first year of the war, many Ukrainians were ashamed to rest, postponing all this for "after the victory", now the level of fatigue in society has reached such a point that people consider travel or celebrations more a necessity for recharging and maintaining mental health than a whim. And, certainly, the industry is responding to it. Most of the most popular tourist destinations in Ukraine, from the western regions to Odesa, are already ready to receive guests this winter, although there are those who do not want to talk about it publicly, fearing raids by the TCC.

Lviv region - any whim for your money

In Lviv and the region, you can welcome the New Year 2025 in different ways, it all depends on the size of your wallet and your desire. The most thrifty, of course, can prepare a basin of "Olivier" at home, uncork champagne and watch TV all night (if there is light), but for those who want to celebrate away from home, this year there are many offers.

Perhaps the most expensive celebration will be held at the Emily Resort hotel and restaurant complex on the outskirts of Lviv. There will be as many as three festive locations - restaurants and an event hall. Adults on New Year's Eve in one of the restaurants will have to pay from 2.5 to 8 thousand hryvnias per person - for the minimum price you can only enter, and for the maximum price they promise a place at a table, a minimal menu and a tower of champagne. Guests are also promised performances by special guests - DJ Budchuk, a vocal show by Duo Flores and Terroir Trio, and DJ Elvis and Chainbro will be at the controls, playing favorite tracks of the zeros. By the way, there is a special dress code - dresses of the 2000s, glitter and bright accessories.

But celebrating the New Year in the Event Hall will be much more expensive. For 24-36 thousand hryvnias per person (the closer the table is to the stage, the more expensive) the guests are offered a whole line-up of "stars" - MONATIK, the bands "VV" and KADNAY, and the hosts of the evening will be the star couple Yuriy Gorbunov and Kateryna Osadcha. The price of the celebration includes a menu and a certain amount of alcohol.

If there is a desire to welcome the New Year in the center of Lviv, then the celebration can be ordered at the "Grand Hotel", which, by the way, will celebrate its 130th anniversary this year, so the organizers decided to immerse guests in an atmosphere of luxury - theatrical and festive - on New Year's Eve. In particular, the hotel is planning a costumed holiday program with the participation of actors from the theater named after Les Kurbas, and the host of the evening will be Transcarpathian radio host and DJ Tudor Kilaru. Guests at the festive table are offered a menu from the brand chef, including salmon confit with horseradish and green apple, beef tataki, tuna cream and potato pie, tuna and avocado bruschetta, shrimp and duck fillet salads, seabass fillet and desserts. For all this, you will have to pay 13 thousand hryvnias per person.

The celebration in the hotel and restaurant complex "Rafael" near Lviv will be more budget-friendly - for 4.5 thousand hryvnias, a minimum portion of alcohol and food will be offered here so that "no one will go hungry." The party will last from 22:00 to 05:00 and guests will be entertained by a DJ. "Well, what else do you want for that kind of money? What are the stars?", the institution's administrator said in a comment to UNIAN.

By the way, a Christmas tree was also installed in the center of Lviv this year. However, no large-scale parties are planned there for the holidays.

Transcarpathia - without curfew

But in the cities of the Transcarpathian region, despite the absence of a curfew and a relatively calm security situation, loud New Year's celebrations are not planned this year. At the same time, Transcarpathians themselves and guests from other regions, who plan to celebrate the New Year in the Carpathians, prepare in advance - and complain about the prices.

"We rented the house for two nights, three days, because the owner did not agree to rent it for fewer days. The cost is 25,000 for 6 people. This amount includes only the rent of the house and the wood-burning tank, but neither the restaurant, nor the meals, nor the program are included. Frankly, it's expensive. Usually the cost of such a house is half as much, we understand that. But they didn't find anything else, considering the fact that they wanted something not far from home, so as not to run into the TCC...", Ms. Maryana from the village of Nevitske, who together with friends booked a house in the mountains for the New Year's meeting, told the UNIAN correspondent near Uzhgorod.

In general, prices for the New Year's holidays are inflated in many Carpathian "green" estates and mini-hotels, because the owners are trying to take advantage of the opportunity at least a little - due to the war, mobilization and lack of funds from tourism, it was not possible to make money this year.

On the other hand, guests from the million-strong cities have a different opinion about Transcarpathia. Mrs. Oksana from Kyiv told UNIAN that it is cheaper for her to buy train tickets from the capital to Uzhhorod and back, to pay for New Year's Eve celebrations in a local restaurant and a night in a hotel, than to celebrate in Kyiv establishments. In addition, the trip to Transcarpathia will be even more interesting and safer.

On New Year's Eve, some restaurants in Transcarpathia organize celebrations, but most of them are only at the request of tourist groups. Some of the local establishments canceled any parties because of the war, and some still prepare programs. However, there are those who have followed a new path.

As the administrator of the restaurant-hotel complex "Kilikia" in Uzhgorod said, since the beginning of the war, New Year's celebrations have not been held in the institution: "In the first year of the war, everyone was confused, they understood that everyone was definitely not into celebrations. It was then that the idea to create the so-called "New Year's boxes" came to mind, because many families still decide to organize a small family celebration to at least lift their spirits a little... We developed several options for boxes with different fillings and different prices: in one we included golyashka, cucumber, salads, in another - barbecue menu, in the third - dishes of oriental cuisine."

The cost of such New Year's boxes fluctuated between 3-4 thousand hryvnias, but this year's boxes are only at the stage of formation - the prices have not yet been approved. In addition, residents of Uzhhorod and guests of the city can order any other dishes from the restaurant's menu. Due to the fact that "Cilicia", unlike the vast majority of establishments in the city, last year also worked on December 31, there were enough orders: last year, more than half a hundred New Year's boxes were prepared. Now they are also starting preparations and expect to have a lot of work, because the New Year falls on a working week, so people will not have time to prepare the table.

"There is such a category of people who don't want or don't have time to cook, don't want to see ordinary chops from the supermarket on the table, and at the same time want a little nice festive table - we work for them," added the administrator.

At the same time, restaurants operating in the territories of the resorts already offer their programs. So, in one of the fashionable resorts - "Derenivska Kupil" - the New Year's program for an adult will cost 11,000 hryvnias, for a child from 6 years old - 6,000 hryvnias. The program includes a presenter, a musical program, including a violin show and a romantic piano performance, and an author's New Year's menu from the brand chef.

Meanwhile, in the restaurant of the Verkhovyna resort, 10 kilometers from Uzhhorod, a New Year's program is being prepared in a chamber format, which will include a dinner from the chef, a small program from the presenter, animators and a cover singer, as well as a photo booth. The cost of such a program for one adult will be 18,000 hryvnias, for a child - 11,000 hryvnias.

Smaller and more modest restaurants also have their own programs - prices range from 4-5 thousand hryvnias and usually include a menu, host and photo booth.

You can choose an offer for celebrating the New Year in Transcarpathia with the help of tour operators. Yes, different programs under different names, but, in fact, with the same content, start from 5 thousand hryvnias per person for four days. For example, the program from one of the tour operators "New Year Transcarpathia in 6 days" for the period from December 28, 2024 to January 2, 2025 with departure from Lviv will cost 8295 hryvnias for an adult and a little cheaper for a child. As part of the program, tourists will visit the main cities and castles, will be able to taste Transcarpathian wines and delicacies, relax in the thermal pools (admission must be paid separately), see Synevyr Lake, etc. The amount also includes a New Year's program and a festive table in one of the restaurant complexes of Transcarpathia.

Bukovyna is quiet and without scope

In the Chernivtsi region, some institutions have decided to abandon celebrations on New Year's Eve altogether, while others will hold it quite modestly. In particular, the "Sunny Valley" tourist complex does not plan a special New Year's program - only a DJ.

"Due to constant power outages, we cannot organize any super program," says the complex's administration. - If there is no light, neither the bowling alley nor the sauna will work. We plan to be able to prepare at least a pool with warm water. There are generators, but you need a lot of them and a lot of power to ensure the full operation of the entire complex. Therefore, we will celebrate the New Year modestly."

The "Mygovo" ski complex also does not offer anything special. They only note that there will be a Ukrainian-style New Year's program.

"There are still free places. People are calling and asking about the New Year's program, but they are not actively booking rooms yet," says administrator Serhii.

However, if it snows, guests are invited to go on a horse-drawn sleigh ride - the horses will take tourists to the local mountain of Mala Kichera, from where you can admire the mountain scenery. An hour of such a romantic walk will cost about 2 thousand hryvnias.

They plan to welcome the New Year 2025 in the Ukrainian style with national cuisine in the tourist and entertainment complex "Stizhok" in the village of Berehomet. The menu offers something for every taste – from herring with potatoes to crawfish and salmon.

"We have a spacious, comfortably equipped warehouse. Children from the neighboring kindergarten even come here during air raids on weekdays. If anxiety catches us on New Year's Eve, we can move to the shelter in a few minutes and continue the celebration there", - the director of the complex Olga Savka entices guests, adding that people are calling, but they are not in a hurry to book seats yet.

At the same time, loud celebrations are not planned in the institution - only a performance by a couple of musicians and a photo booth on the street. And, of course, no Russian music, assures Ms. Olga: "The local people will not understand us if we have fun and dance. Not those times...".

Odesa - from swimming with dolphins to a party in the style of "Bridgertons"

Despite regular shelling, Odesa does not plan to give up New Year's celebrations. The cost of New Year's Eve in the city depends on the location, class of the establishment, room and date of arrival. Yes, in some hotels, in order to book a room, you need to pay from 600-700 hryvnias per night, but the closer it is to December 31, the less likely you are to find an option to your liking. At the same time, some institutions, despite the war, invite Odessans and guests of the city to celebrate the New Year "with a bang". They promise a luxurious menu of dishes from chefs, champagne, quizzes, contests, entertainment programs, valuable prizes, "mystical rituals", music, dancing, actors, presenters, etc.

For example, a "black and white" party was planned in the Lenmar restaurant of the Duke Hotel, located in the historical center - near the Odessa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet. Guests are promised "something luxurious" - from world hits performed by the NANA KRITSAK DUO to a perfumery master class, where each guest will be able to create "his own unique fragrance". During the gala dinner, guests are promised exclusive desserts from brand chef Roberto Armaroli, and the dress code at this establishment will be exclusively Black & White. The price of the ticket is 8 thousand hryvnias (as of the end of November).

The party is also offered on the other side of the Opera House - at the Mozart Hotel on Lanzheronivska Street. As of the beginning of December, the cost of a room for two adults on New Year's Eve there was 3,300 hryvnias, but there were few rooms left.

Nearby - on Italiyska Street (former Pushkinska Street) - the 5-star Bristol Hotel is preparing for the holiday, where they plan to hold a "Bridgerton New Year's Eve" ball: guests are invited to dress in Bridgerton style, following the example of the characters of the famous costume television series from Netflix. Guests will be greeted by the Incognito quartet and the Moana Band, and children are promised entertainment with animators. The price of tickets for New Year's Eve here depends on the location of the place: VIP category (first row near the stage) - 17 thousand hryvnias, the rest - 15 thousand hryvnias. Discounts are available for early booking.

The Veranda restaurant on the Black Sea coast will also be open on New Year's Eve (the hall will turn into the fairy-tale palace of the Sleeping Beauty or the ice palace of the Snow Queen), the Black Sea Hotel on Richelievskaya (the band "Fidel's Children" is scheduled to perform there), the "Renaissance" banquet house on the Lustdorf road , the restaurant "Ryba" on Veliky Fontan, as well as the boutique hotel "California" in a historical building in the very center of the city (there will be a musical program and a holiday lottery with gifts on the night of January 1, a day of renting a double room with a balcony will cost approximately 3 thousand hryvnias).

There are also quite unusual (and somewhat controversial) offers - at the Nautilus Lounge cafe in the "Nemo" dolphinarium on Langeron. Guests will be entertained by the singer SoloHa, as well as a planned show and swimming with dolphins, acrobatic and dance numbers. There, in the middle of the night, you will be able to "relax" in the SPA-complex with a jacuzzi, saunas and a warm indoor pool with sea water, and the organizers offer to meet the morning of January 1 in a heated pool in the open air. The cost of such a "holiday package" is 6,000 hryvnias per adult, for children from 5 to 12 years old - half as much, and free for children under 5 years old.

Of course, you can find a more budget-friendly option to celebrate the New Year in Odessa, and the next day visit the Christmas tree on Deribasivska Street, Primorsky Boulevard, Potemkin Stairs, order a sightseeing tour or just take a walk along the Black Sea coast.

Active New Year in the Carpathians

Meanwhile, fans of active recreation can welcome the New Year in the Carpathians. Popular recreation centers such as Slavske, Dragobrat or Bukovel offer guests many opportunities to turn New Year's vacation into an enchanting fairy tale. Prices range from 2,600 to 12,500 hryvnias per person, but customers are no longer reluctant.

"But you turned too late! We reserve places from September to October, the owner of the estate "By the Shore" in Slavskyi tells UNIAN. - And I will not tell the price, because the house is already rented. Many clients do not go abroad now, but they come to us. And the military are with their families, because both civilians and students come on vacation."

In addition to accommodation, the owners of bases and private estates offer guests skiing, snowboarding and sledding, hiking in picturesque places, warming up in hot tubs, and enjoying local traditional dishes. However, it is worth considering that most of these rooms are already booked.

At the same time, many hotels sell rooms for at least 3-5 days. But taking into account the fact that the tourist infrastructure in the Carpathians is developed and clearly oriented towards tourists, there will be something to occupy yourself for five days - there would be money. For example, if a tourist chooses a hotel near the ski slopes of Transcarpathia (Krasiya, Dragobrat, Pylypets, Podobovets), then here you can not only go snowboarding or skiing, but also order vats or wood-fired baths, visit pools with mineral waters (Zhaivoronok, Kosino ), order tasting tours, visit various farms, parks, museums, etc.

At the same time, the co-founder of the cottage complex in the village of Mrs. Svitlana of Golubine (Svalyava resort area) says that during the last week they started receiving calls asking for prices and availability of rooms, but most of them ask if there will be a New Year's program: "People ask about the New Year's program, they are very tired, they want at least to forget about the horrors of war for a few hours...".

Tourists are offered extreme entertainment for the New Year in the Carpathians. For example, with the tourist operator "Sadnista" you can go up to Hoverla on New Year's Eve and drink a glass of sparkling wine there. However, it is suitable only for prepared tourists, because climbing the highest mountain of Ukraine in winter is a serious challenge. The number of people in the group is up to ten, and the cost is at least 150 euros per person.

Meanwhile, lovers of speleology are offered a New Year's tour to caves - most often to the world's longest gypsum cave "Optimistichna" in the Ternopil region.

"It should be remembered that such tours are not suitable for mass tourism. A person who decides to go on a hike must be physically prepared and have the appropriate equipment," emphasizes Viktor Skrypnyk, a representative of the tour operator.

Also, for many years, New Year's tours to the karst cave "Atlantida" in the Khmelnytskyi region, which is considered the most beautiful not only in Ukraine, but also in Europe, have been popular. However, currently there are no open access tours to it specifically for the holidays - there are options either before or after. Prices start from 1000 hryvnias, depending on how many days the tour is and what else is included in it.

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Tired of constant night air alarms, long blackouts and disappointing news, the residents of Ukraine are still starting to make plans for the holidays. There are more than enough options for celebrations this year - for every taste and budget. The main thing is not to forget at the festive table to remember those thanks to whom these celebrations are now possible, and to thank them with New Year's donations.