The Expocenter of Ukraine, commonly known as VDNG or VDNH (an acronym for the phrase “Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy” in Ukrainian) is a multi-purpose exhibition complex located in the Teremky neighborhood of Kyiv. It was opened in 1958 as the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy of the Ukrainian SSR and was renamed the Expocenter of Ukraine after the country’s independence. However, the abbreviation VDNG is still widely used, both colloquially and in the Expocenter’s official branding.
Throughout the year, VDNG hosts many popular festivals and other events, including concerts, fairs, poetry readings, exhibitions, and more. One of the Expocenter’s signature events is Winter Wonderland, which has been held every holiday season since 2015. In February 2022, the festival was cut short due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but it still returned in December of that year because people needed some holiday cheer and magic to get through tough times.
Each winter, VDNG welcomes more than one million visitors, half of whom are families with children. According to surveys, 96% of guests feel happier after visiting Winter Wonderland. For them, it is more than just entertainment – it is a place where you can feel carefree, where dreams come to life and new family memories are made.
During Winter Wonderland, VDNG is filled with fairytale characters who interact with visitors and help them get into the holiday spirit. Numerous festival locations offer all kinds of entertainment for children and adults alike: there is a giant 2500-square-meter ice rink, a Christmas market, various carnival rides (including a carousel and a Ferris wheel), Santa’s Residence, the Christmas Dream Factory with Christmas decoration workshops, an ice sculpture exhibition, light shows, live concerts, and other attractions.
Visitors also enjoy year-round attractions available at VDNG such as the Orangery, Butterfly Planet (an exhibit of live exotic butterflies in one of the pavilions), the petting zoo, and the Science Museum. And if they get hungry while wandering the Expocenter grounds, the Christmas Food Court will have plenty of delicious food, including barbecue, sweets, hot cocoa and mulled wine, and more.
A festive interactive show for children, featuring snowmen and fairytale characters, takes place at VDNG’s central plaza near the Christmas tree every hour from noon to 6 pm. The program runs on weekends until around Christmas and then every day until early January.
Admission to the VNDG grounds during Winter Wonderland is free, but visitors may need to purchase tickets for some of the locations and attractions. During the war, the festival also hosted fundraisers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and various charities helping displaced persons.
Photo: vdng.ua
