2027 Victory Day

Victory Day on May 9 marks Nazi Germany's surrender in 1945; the capitulation was signed late on May 8 in Berlin, when it was already past midnight in Moscow, which is why Russia celebrates a day later than Western Europe. It is Russia's most important national holiday and a public holiday. The centrepiece is the military parade on Red Square with troops, armoured vehicles and, weather permitting, a flypast, reviewed by the President, followed by the 'Immortal Regiment' march in which people carry portraits of relatives who fought in the war. Veterans receive flowers, many people wear the orange-and-black St. George ribbon, a nationwide minute of silence is observed at 6:55 p.m., and evening fireworks salutes are fired in Moscow and other cities. Central Moscow is closed to traffic for the parade and its rehearsals, and hotels near Red Square fill early. This countdown ticks to midnight Moscow time on May 9.