Father Frost × 5: A New Year Extravaganza

Omsk, 30th Komsomol Park

A citywide gathering of the main New Year’s magic-makers took place in Omsk, a million city in Siberia. Each district presented its own Father Frost, accompanied by a supporting cast of fairy-tale characters and an entertainment program for the kids.

The event was part of the “Siberian Fun” New Year project run by the Omsk City Department of Culture.

Gathering the Crowd

An hour before the program, artists from cultural centers appear along the park’s alleys

An hour before the program, artists from cultural centers appear along the park’s alleys

Outdoor games and fun activities are organized for children

Outdoor games and fun activities are organized for children

A New Year’s car serves as the transport for Father Frost of the Central District

A New Year’s car serves as the transport for Father Frost of the Central District

He’ll need the car for a dramatic entrance in front of the audience

He’ll need the car for a dramatic entrance in front of the audience

Meanwhile, Father Frost of the Kirovsky District prefers sled dogs over powerful engines

Meanwhile, Father Frost of the Kirovsky District prefers sled dogs over powerful engines

He’s been given the honor of opening the rally — and he’s already racing toward the stage

He’s been given the honor of opening the rally — and he’s already racing toward the stage

Competition Program

“I see, I see Father Frost!” — the little ones can’t wait for the celebration to begin

“I see, I see Father Frost!” — the little ones can’t wait for the celebration to begin

Each New Year wizard talks about their district and entertains the kids

Each New Year wizard talks about their district and entertains the kids

And the jokes appeal not just to children, but to adults too

And the jokes appeal not just to children, but to adults too

Next to greet the people of Omsk is Father Frost of the Leninsky District

Next to greet the people of Omsk is Father Frost of the Leninsky District

In the games with the audience, he jumps higher than his entire entourage!

In the games with the audience, he jumps higher than his entire entourage!

Fairy‑tale characters help build the festive New Year mood

Fairy‑tale characters help build the festive New Year mood

The arrival of the third Father Frost is announced by his granddaughter, Snow Maiden

The arrival of the third Father Frost is announced by his granddaughter, Snow Maiden

Meanwhile, the Rabbit gives tips on how to properly welcome the honored guest

Meanwhile, the Rabbit gives tips on how to properly welcome the honored guest

Here he is — Father Frost of the Sovetsky District

Here he is — Father Frost of the Sovetsky District

This team invites everyone to active games where participants repeat the moves

This team invites everyone to active games where participants repeat the moves

The little ones are clearly enjoying it — but what’s coming next?

The little ones are clearly enjoying it — but what’s coming next?

Next up, we’ll meet an impressively striking Dragon!

Next up, we’ll meet an impressively striking Dragon!

The symbols of the outgoing and upcoming years perform a lively song together

The symbols of the outgoing and upcoming years perform a lively song together

They get applause from regular Omsk residents and the buffoons alike

They get applause from regular Omsk residents and the buffoons alike

The artists from the Sovetsky District have plenty more surprises in store

The artists from the Sovetsky District have plenty more surprises in store

They probably do the best job of showcasing festive props in motion

They probably do the best job of showcasing festive props in motion

Forty minutes into the rally, the little ones start wrapping themselves in scarves — but they aren’t leaving!

Forty minutes into the rally, the little ones start wrapping themselves in scarves — but they aren’t leaving!

Just in case, make a note of this Father Frost before the rally’s results are announced

Just in case, make a note of this Father Frost before the rally’s results are announced

After a short break, a cheerful Snowman takes the stage

After a short break, a cheerful Snowman takes the stage

He’s not alone: he’s with a friend and a large dance troupe

He’s not alone: he’s with a friend and a large dance troupe

The dancing never stops for a second — this is how the Oktyabrsky District’s show begins

The dancing never stops for a second — this is how the Oktyabrsky District’s show begins

At New Year, you can never have too many fairy‑tale characters

At New Year, you can never have too many fairy‑tale characters

And here’s Father Frost himself!

And here’s Father Frost himself!

Today, he’s the only one with a special cheerleading section right in the audience

Today, he’s the only one with a special cheerleading section right in the audience

As the park grows darker, the stage lighting adds extra flair to the performances

As the park grows darker, the stage lighting adds extra flair to the performances

The highlight of the act is a magical ball that delivers predictions and good wishes

The highlight of the act is a magical ball that delivers predictions and good wishes

Passed from hand to hand among several Omsk residents, it brought plenty of laughter to the crowd

Passed from hand to hand among several Omsk residents, it brought plenty of laughter to the crowd

No celebration is complete without games set to upbeat music

No celebration is complete without games set to upbeat music

Finally, Father Frost wishes everyone a happy upcoming holiday

Finally, Father Frost wishes everyone a happy upcoming holiday

The performers from the Oktyabrsky District take their leave — but one more contender is still to come!

The performers from the Oktyabrsky District take their leave — but one more contender is still to come!

Father Frost of the Central District arrives with his granddaughter in the car

Father Frost of the Central District arrives with his granddaughter in the car

He receives his magical authority via a special decree from Tsar Peter the Great

He receives his magical authority via a special decree from Tsar Peter the Great

The key to the beloved holiday is in safe hands!

The key to the beloved holiday is in safe hands!

Suddenly, the solemn moment is interrupted

Suddenly, the solemn moment is interrupted

Who’s joining us now?

Who’s joining us now?

It turns out Kikimora and her friend are trying to claim the role of Snow Maiden!

It turns out Kikimora and her friend are trying to claim the role of Snow Maiden!

But Father Frost is kind‑hearted and ready to find a place for everyone at the celebration

But Father Frost is kind‑hearted and ready to find a place for everyone at the celebration

And the audience is just as welcoming to all the characters from fairy tales and folklore

And the audience is just as welcoming to all the characters from fairy tales and folklore

The fifth and final competition round has come to an end

The fifth and final competition round has come to an end

The Best Father Frost

A musical interlude: Elizaveta Miteneva from the “Irtysh” Dance Ensemble takes the stage

A musical interlude: Elizaveta Miteneva from the “Irtysh” Dance Ensemble takes the stage

Meanwhile, park guests cast their votes for their favorite Father Frost

Meanwhile, park guests cast their votes for their favorite Father Frost

“Siberian Fun” — that’s the name of this choreographic number

“Siberian Fun” — that’s the name of this choreographic number

It’s impossible not to want to dance along with the professional performers

It’s impossible not to want to dance along with the professional performers

The jury tallies the “snowball” votes given for each candidate

The jury tallies the “snowball” votes given for each candidate

After the participant certificates are handed out, the most solemn moment arrives

After the participant certificates are handed out, the most solemn moment arrives

Father Frost of the Sovetsky District is named the Best New Year Wizard of Omsk in 2023!

Father Frost of the Sovetsky District is named the Best New Year Wizard of Omsk in 2023!

A fireworks display lights up in his honor, followed by the final song, “About a Snowflake”

A fireworks display lights up in his honor, followed by the final song, “About a Snowflake”

As the sparks fly, it’s the perfect time to make a cherished wish

As the sparks fly, it’s the perfect time to make a cherished wish

The winner is given the honor of lighting up the park’s New Year tree

The winner is given the honor of lighting up the park’s New Year tree

Everything turned out perfectly

Everything turned out perfectly

The event’s permanent hosts, Ivan‑Tsarevich and Zabava, wish everyone a wonderful evening!

The event’s permanent hosts, Ivan‑Tsarevich and Zabava, wish everyone a wonderful evening!

Continuing with the Theme