November 7, the day on which the Bolsheviks stormed the Winter Palace in Petrograd, was marked as a public holiday in Russia until 2004.
"The rally has ended without any incidents; it broke up, with participants entering nearby metro stations," Yevgeny Gildeyev said, adding that around 10,000 people took part in the rally near Red Square.
The Communist Party held an authorized rally and an unsanctioned march down Tverskaya street leading to Red Square to mark the 89th anniversary of the revolution, still commemorated by many in Russia.
Communist leader Gennady Zyuganov lashed out at the Moscow authorities, pledging to "have it out" with those who banned the march.
Speaking to supportive cheers from the crowd on Teatralnaya square near a statue of Karl Marx, Zyuganov said: "We will officially file complaints against those who indulged in such arrogance."
Zyuganov also accused police of hampering the march and violating order by not allowing the participants to walk on the road, which he said could have led to clashes.
About 4,500 police and troops had been pulled in to ensure security in the center of Moscow. Riot police were on standby, waiting in 20 buses near Red Square, the interior department reported earlier.
Police also cordoned off the site of the rally and blocked traffic in the streets adjacent to the square.
