Special Events & Festivals in Russia
There is an exciting and varied range of events that take place in Russia each year. Russia is home to many of the world’s finest ballet companies who perform at the legendary Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and the acclaimed Mariinsky Theatre in St Petes. Winning the bid to host the 2018 Fifa Football World Cup, has placed Russia centre stage on the world’s sporting calendar. Whilst the World Cup is still a long way off, there is plenty to keep sport fans entertained over the coming year; see Moscow’s great city football rivals Spartak and CSKA come head to head in the 80,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium or in St Petersburg watch the SKA hockey team play their high octane games in the 13,000 capacity Ice Palace, the season runs from September to February. For tennis enthusiasts October is the month to visit Russia, when the world’s top seeded players meet on the courts for the exciting St Petersburg Open and the Kremlin Cup!
Russians are well known for enjoying a tipple and there are plenty of entertaining events centred around drinking; St Petersburg’s Beer Festival in June/July is one of the country’s most lively street festivals and we will be offering the opportunity to join in the celebrations. Whilst in Moscow you can raise your glass at the Russian Wine Festival in November, or toast the Irish, with Guinness at the St Patricks Day celebrations in March. Or for music lovers Russia offers several outdoor and indoor music festivals throughout the year such as the wonderful Festival of French Jazz in April.
Our events calendar below details many of the exciting cultural, sporting and special events coming up in 2011. Most of these events are annual. These can be attended independently during your free time, before or after your tour. The date and details of each event are subject to change. For further information please visit the website of the particular event you are interested in or contact us.
January
Russian Orthodox Christmas: 7 Jan
Xmas only comes once a year...unless you’re Russian! Prior to 1918, Russia used the Julian calendar which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. Orthodox Xmas celebrations last for 6 days and begin on Xmas Eve.
Stariy Noviy God (Orthodox New Year): 13 to 14 Jan
Russians also celebrate New Years Eve twice and who are we to argue! The 14th Jan is now referred to as the ‘Old New Year’. Sample Moscow’s hedonistic nightlife and join in the celebrations!
Vyugovey Ice Sculpture Festival: Moscow - Jan to Feb
Make the most of Moscow’s sub-zero temperatures and visit the incredible exhibition of ice sculptures during the two-month festival at the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.
February
Golden Dolphin: Moscow - 17 to 20 Feb
If you're a fan of the underwater world, visit Moscow's international diving festival at Gostiny Dvor. Showcasing a range of diving equipment and an excellent underwater film and photography exhibition.
Defenders of the Motherland: Moscow - 23 Feb
Wreaths are laid at Moscow’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, to commemorate Russia’s Defenders of the Motherland Day and the monument is surrounded with a spectacular carpet of flowers.
Maslenitsa Festival: St Petes & Moscow - 28 Feb to 6 Mar
This colourful festival dates back to Pagan times. Join in the carnival style celebrations around StPetes and Moscow, with live music, dancing, sleigh rides, fireworks and lots of tasty blini’s (pancakes)!
March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Moscow - 17 Mar
This patron saint holds worldwide appeal and in Russia it’s seen as a day of Russian-Irish friendship.Join in the Irish celebrations in the capital, with a city centre parade and pints of Guinness galore!
Russian Football Championship: St Petersburg & Moscow - Mar to Nov
See Russia’s largest cities battle it out on the football pitch at St Pete’s atmospheric Petrovsky Stadium or Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.
Golden Mask Festival: Moscow - Mar to Apr (various dates)
Watch Russia’s most prestigious drama, ballet, opera and musical theatre, at various venues around Moscow.
April
Festival of French Jazz: Moscow - Apr (various dates)
Experience a taste of Paris in the capital. The glamorous 16 Tons Club, presents a host of jazz musicians.
Photoforum: Moscow 14 to 17 Apr
Calling all budding photographers. The world’s leading manufacturers exhibit in Moscow’s Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre, with a photographic exhibition and hundreds of gadgets.
International Ballet Festival Mariinsky: St Petersburg - 14 to 24 Apr
Watch leading ballet companies perform in St Petes during one of the most significant events in the ballet season.
May
Night at the Museums: St Petersburg - 21 May and Moscow - June
Spend a night at the museum! The most respectable museums and art galleries stay open until the early hours for this wonderful event which is accompanied by special exhibitions, street art and performances.
Victory Day: Moscow - 9 May
Commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in WWII. See the military parade, ceremonies and fireworks in Red Square.
The Stars of White Nights Festival: St Petes - 21 May to 21 Jul
Enjoy a night at the Mariinsky Theatre which hosts a series of opera, ballet and classical music concerts, and an exciting Battle of the Bands.
City Day: St Petersburg - 27 May
The official birthday of St. Petes - celebrated in style with special events, parties and fireworks around Palace Square. Join the party!
June
Palaces of St Petersburg Music Festival: St Petersburg - Jun to Jul
Watch musicians from around the world play one off concerts at the exquisite palaces of the Tsars.
Wild Mint Folk Festival: Moscow - Jun
Join 7000 revellers in Troparevo Park to enjoy a day of music and dancing at Moscow’s best folk festival.
St Petersburg Beer Festival: St Petersburg - Jun/Jul
St Petes best street festival. Watch the Nevsky prospekt parade and fireworks, whilst drinking lots of beer! On The Go will be offering an optional Beer Festival bolt-on, enabling you to attend this lively event at the start of your tour. Further details to follow, once the Beer Festival date has been confirmed.
July
Ballet Show “Summer Seasons”: Moscow - 5 Jul to 27 Aug
Watch the acclaimed Moscow City Ballet and Russian National Ballet perform in the capital. Performances usually take place in the old Russian National Theatre opposite Red Square.
Ivan Kupalo/St. John the Baptist’s Day: Moscow & St Petersburg - 6/7 Jul
Moscow and St Petes celebrate the ancient traditions of this popular pagan holiday, with unusual water and fire games.
Afisha Picnic: Moscow - 30 Jul
Attend Moscow’s largest and most exciting outdoor festival at the Tsar’s former estate of Kolomenskoe. International and local bands entertain crowds of up to 50,000.
August
Singing World: International Festival of Choral Art: St Petersburg - Aug
Hear choirs from around the world sing in some of the city’s most magnificent venues, including the Kazan Cathedral.
Moscow International Folklore Festival: Moscow - Aug to Dec
Based in Moscow’s Hermitage Gardens, this folklore festival attracts dancers and musicians from all over Europe.
Sailing Week: St Petersburg - Late Aug
Watch the ships come sailing in! Hundreds of yachts sail from Vyborg to St Petersburg during this exciting regatta.
September
Moscow Den’ Goroda (City Day): Moscow - 3 Sep
Celebrate Moscow’s birthday! Enjoy festivities, street parties and a free concert on Tverskaia Ulitsa street.
SKA St Petersburg Ice Hockey: St Petersburg - 9 Sep to 20 Feb
Watch St Pete’s ice hockey team play in the Continental Hockey League at the 13,000 capacity Ice Palace.
Art Moscow: Moscow - 21 to 25 Sep
Visit the largest and most influential contemporary art fair in Russia, covering every aspect of modern art. 40 international galleries display pieces at the Central House of Artists.
October
Days of Absinthe: Moscow - Oct
If you can handle your alcohol head to Mekhana Bansko Bulgarian Restaurant for their 3 day celebration of absinthe!
St Petersburg Open Tennis: St Petersburg - Oct
See the world’s best male tennis players battle it out for the title at this exciting sporting event.
Kremlin Cup: Moscow - 15 to 23 October
Russia’s answer to Wimbledon! Get tickets for Russia’s premier tennis event, held at the Olympic Stadium. Not to be missed!
November
Day of Accord and Reconciliation: Moscow - Early Nov
Commemorating the historic communist revolution in the early 20th century, watch the colourful parade and events around Red Square.
Russian Wine Festival: Moscow - Nov
Fancy a tipple? The Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre showcases wines from around the world. The event includes master classes, professional presentations and plenty of wine tasting!
Art November: Moscow - 01 to 30 Nov
Celebrating the arts, from painting to photography and music. Attend a month of special exhibitions and performances across Moscow.
December
Ice Skating at Gorky Park: Moscow - Dec to Feb
Get your skates on and enjoy the music as you hit the ice skating rinks at Moscow’s Gorky Park.
Christmas at the Kremlin: Moscow - Dec to Jan
Get in the festive spirit with Yuletide concerts at Moscow’s mighty Kremlin.
Russian Winter Festival: Moscow & St Petersburg - Mid Dec to Early Jan
Celebrate the Russian Winter Festival with troika rides (sleighs), folk music and games galore.
New Years Eve!: 31 Dec
The Russian’s now how to celebrate New Year, with impromptu street parties, fireworks and revelling until dawn. See in the New Year in Red Square!
The Snowball
No stuffing turkeys or entertaining aunts, head to mighty Russia this Christmas or New Year! With fun and good cheer St -...
See full tour itinerary
