On 21.02 - 22.02.2026 in Kyiv Expo Center of Ukraine (VDNG) will be held Kyiv Shrovetide Celebration with Ukrainian folk songs, folk rituals, dance master classes and traditional burning of straw Motanka Doll.

Guests of the Kyiv Shrovetide holiday could expect:

- Fire show
- Traditional ceremony "Kolodiy"
- Performances of Ukrainian folk bands
- Round and traditional dances

Burning of a straw Motanka Doll time is on 22.02.2026 at 19:30 on the Central Square of Expo Center of Ukraine (VDNG).

The festival will recreate ancient Ukrainian Shrovetide traditions - symbolic farewell to winter and calling for spring. There will also be a humorous rite of "Kolodiy" which will add a real folk flavor to the event.

The main "Kolodiy" ritual involves tying a symbolic wooden log to unmarried boys and girls as punishment for not getting married in the past year demanding a ransom.

Expo Center of Ukraine (VDNG) will be transformed into a bright ethno-space with straw decorations, ribbons and thematic photo zones for these days.

Delicious food courts will treat you to pancakes, dumplings and other Ukrainian traditional dishes with various fillings.

The program of the event will also include lectures on Ukrainian rites from the project "Vytoky": in Book Space they will talk about the meanings of Shrovetide, traditional dishes and rituals. The ritual part will be conducted by singer and bandur player Bohdana Onopchuk.

The culmination of the celebration will be a spectacular rite of burning a scarecrow of the winter Motanka Doll - a symbolic farewell to the cold and a meeting of spring warmth.

Entry to the Kyiv Shrovetide Celebration is free of charge.

Welcome to Kyiv Expo Center of Ukraine (VDNG) for Shrovetide Celebration!

Organizers

Expo Center of Ukraine (VDNG)
Expo Center of Ukraine (VDNG)
Kyiv, Ukraine

Pavel Korsun
Tour Guide
Ukraine tours and Kyiv tours

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