Holidays are in flux. Note, that if a holiday falls on Thursday, then Friday & Saturday may also be holidays. If it falls on Saturday or Sunday, then Monday will be a holiday.

1 Jan	New Year's Day
7 Jan	Russian Orthodox Christmas
8 March	International Women's Day
March/April	Russian Orthodox Easter
1 & 2 May	Day of Spring and Labor
9 May	Victory (1945) Day
12 June	Independence Day for Russia
7 & 8 Nov	Day of Reconciliation and Agreement
12 Dec	Day of Russian Constitution

Other Special Days. There are some other special days in Russia. February 23 is Russian Army Day which is the day of men. Women traditionally give men small gifts on this day. The favor is returned on International Women's Day which is an official holiday. First Sunday of September is Moscow’s official birthday, during which they block off Tverskaya ul. and people stroll up and down looking at street acts and snacking from street vendors.

School & University Vacation. Schools start September 1 and finish May 31 with a week vacation in November, two weeks in January at New Year and one week in March.
Universities usually start the fall semester about September 1. Classes end December 20, followed by January examinations. Winter break is from January 25 to February 8. Spring semester starts in the second week of February. Classes end in May followed by exams until about the 25th of June.

Vacation. Most workers are entitled to 24 days of paid vacation and most take their vacation in summer at the dacha. While the 1st of May holiday is the traditional day for opening dachas, by the November 7th holiday it is already too cold to go to the dacha.