There may not be the usual amount of snow on the streets of the Russian capital, but holiday season is in full swing in Moscow with the traditional lighting of the Kremlin Christmas tree.

It's 28 metres high and 110 years old. The elm-tree was delivered from the town of Veliky Ustyug which is the native land of Grandfather Frost, Russia's equivalent of Santa Claus.

After the 1917 Communist revolution the Christmas tree was banned because it was seen as a religious symbol. 

With Christmas removed from the calendar, New Year's Day became the most important and beloved holiday for Russians. 

The humble fir made its comeback in 1935, when Stalin allowed it back as a centrepiece for New Year's parties but it wasn't until recently that the giant conifer made its first appearance in the Kremlin.

The strings of lights being put up are almost one kilometre in length and contain around 5,000 bulbs. 

The decorations are still packed in boxes under the tree – 600 kilograms of glass baubles, ribbons and bells. They all have to be put on the tree within the next two days. 

All the decorations are custom-made and purported to be practically unbreakable.

Russians truly believe that the way they celebrate New Year's, reflects the way they'll spend the rest of that year.

And they can feel reassured this season – those who go to Cathedral Square on New Year's Eve will have a fabulous night and 2007.