What festivals are celebrated in St. Petersburg every year?

Winter International Winter Music Festival "Art Square"

Held in December

Location: St. Petersburg

Classical concerts on different themes are held in the major symphony halls of St. Petersburg, as well as opera and contemporary concerts.

Christmas

Celebrated from the night of December 31 to January 1

New Year is usually a holiday celebrated with loved ones, on which people exchange gifts, wish each other good health and good luck, and set off fireworks. The table will be filled with traditional dishes: the Olivier salad, the "herring under the fur coat" salad, the jelly, potatoes and many, many others. An indispensable drink for the New Year is champagne. According to the bells on the Spastad tower of the Moscow Kremlin, the New Year begins its grand celebrations on the night of December 31 and January 1. Folklore has the superstition that if anyone can write down their wish on paper during this period, burn it to ashes, and then pour the paper ash into champagne and drink it in one sip, this wish will surely come true.

The New Year also heralds a long holiday that will last until January 7, the Day the Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas. During the holidays, Petersburgers usually participate in various events held in the city: concerts, interesting competitions, Christmas fairs, roaming the colorful streets, and a large part of the public chooses to go out of town to ski, skate, build snowmen, etc.

College Day

Held on January 25th

Another name for the festival is "Valentine's Day" or Russian University Day. On this day friends usually gather and celebrate the end of the winter semester exams, the 25th, which is traditionally considered the end of the semester, that is, the holidays begin thereafter.

Chinese New Year

Held from January to February

Traditionally, Chinese call the Chinese New Year the "Spring Festival," and for Russians, the festival usually coincides with the coldest of the four seasons of the year. But this does not prevent the people of St. Petersburg from actively participating in the various activities associated with the festival: willingly listening to a lecture on Chinese history and culture, participating in a fan painting and Chinese painting sketching event held by the master class, listening to a concert, watching an exhibition and a movie.

Thanksgiving

Celebration from February to March (according to the Orthodox calendar)

It is a traditional East Slavic people's festival that celebrates the end of winter and welcomes the arrival of spring. Folk garden tours are usually held during the Festival: skiing, ice skating, family visits, pancakes, and the most important part of the festival is the burning of grass clay people that symbolize the winter that has just passed.

Every year during the week of the Festival of Thanksgiving, St. Petersburg hosts a gathering of events: concerts of folklore groups, folk dances, circular songs and dances, etc., with the aim of making people feel the joy of spring approaching.

Spring Festival of Lights

Twice a year (April and November)

The Festival of Lights, a large-scale light show, music show and light and shadow show, is displayed twice a year, during which a real stage show is presented against the backdrop of St. Petersburg's historic buildings.

Using 3D technology, the Aleksandrinsky Theater, the Mariayensky Theater, the Isaquievsky Cathedral, the Stadium of the "St. Petersburg Arena" and the Palace Square are magically decorated, making them as attractive as ever to a large audience.

V-Day

Celebrated on May 9th

May 9 is the day to celebrate the victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War experienced between 1941 and 1945. Traditionally, on this day, major cities hold military parades and parades, solemnly lay wreaths at the tombs of martyred soldiers, release festive salutes, and hold concerts.

Saint Petersburg State University participates in the day every year with an athletics relay race commemorating the war hero Vyacheslav Vasilikovsky.

Night at the Museum

Held in May

St. Petersburg, along with other large European cities, organizes events for citizens and guests every year as part of the International Museum Festival, giving people the opportunity to immerse themselves in cultural events throughout the night.

On this day, many of Petersburg's museums, galleries, libraries and exhibition halls are open all night, offering guests a unique program of excursions: one-day exhibitions, exhibitions led by the creators of the works, master classes, antiquities restoration and performances.

City Creation Day

Celebrated on May 27

May 27 is the foundation day of St. Petersburg, so it is safe to consider it a favorite holiday of the people of Petersburg.

On this day the city hosts traditional amusements, themed tours, plays and performances, performances by actors and musicians in some of the large squares, and a festive salute at the Fortress of Petersburg in the evening.

White Night Star Music Festival

Held from May to June

The "Star of the White Nights" festival has been delighting St. Petersburg residents and guests for more than 20 years, and the best operas, ballets, chamber music and theatrical performances are presented to the audience during the festival.

The initiators of the festival are the artistic director of the Mariayensky Theatre, the head of the art department of St. Petersburg State University, and the master of the arts, Valery Dergiev.

Summer gatchina music evenings

Held in June

At this time of year, the majestic Gatchina Palace is transformed into a concert hall at night to welcome guests and citizens of St. Petersburg, the platform of the White Lake is transformed into a stage in a few hours, and the centuries-old trees in the garden are transformed into a background. The festival has both classics presented by symphony orchestras and choirs, as well as pop music and rock music.

Festival organizers will always remind the audience that warm blankets and mosquito repellent equipment must be brought in this room.

Music Bridge Festival

Held from June to September

The music show originated in 2016, the year 100th anniversary of the construction of St. Petersburg's most famous bridge, the Palace Bridge. From June to early September. Every night the bridge is accompanied by some of Russia's most classic music, including those of Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rachmaninoff. Millions of people have witnessed this grand spectacle today.

Red Sail Festival

Held in June

Another name for this festival is Graduates' Day. The festival is celebrated at the end of June, which coincides with the graduation ceremony season for secondary school students, symbolizing the new beginning of life for children who have reached adulthood. The festival takes its name from Alexander Stepanovich Green's novella "The Red Sails" about believing in miracles and dreams, and the festival culminates in the closing part of the novel, when the sailing boatmen and red sailboats appear on the romantic stage.

The Red Sail Festival is the only music festival in Russia to enter the world's tourism list and is recommended by nearly 20 EU countries to visit.

International "Opera for All" music festival

Held in July

Every year, the festival presents Russian and foreign classics in an open format for the audience, and the citizens and visitors of St. Petersburg can enjoy the world's popular operas for free in the landscape building with the producer as the natural background.

This major cultural event attracts public interest every year, and thousands of spectators who want to appreciate the best traditional music and art gather in the square.

St. Petersburg University Freshman Day ・ Put the "Wish Boat"

Held on August 31

Traditionally, st. Petersburg State University's new birthday consists of two parts: a ceremony to solemnly confer the title of "university student" and a "wish boat" at night. Early in the morning, the atmosphere is filled with delight and excitement: congratulatory messages from school leaders, prominent graduates of the school and distinguished guests of the school, while new students sing the national anthem, praise the student declaration, perform flash mob dances and other musical programs.

The second part of the festival begins in the evening on Long Beach, Vasilievsky: first-year students put paper "wish boats" with their wishes written on them into the Neva River, so that the wishes written on paper will surely come true.

Fall Freshman Day

Held in September

St. Petersburg University Day is held in mid-September or at the end of September, when all the colleges and universities have opened and students have felt a new life.

Every year, a large prize competition is held for first-year students, concerts attended by Russian stars, and many surprises await them.

Petergof Fountain Closing Day

Held in September

Inside the summer palace on the outskirts of St. Petersburg, the closing ceremony of the Petergov Fountain is one of the most impressive events in st. Petersburg, with water wonderland, music and lights. What's more, it's a great opportunity to admire the famous fountain trail, the "Hercules Samson who tore open the lion's mouth," and the many beauties and beauties of the palace gardens. Traditionally, this ceremony takes place in the second half of September and includes band performances, thematic shows, and fireworks.

Festival of Lights

Twice a year (April and November)

The Festival of Lights, a large-scale light show, music show and light and shadow show, is displayed twice a year, during which a real stage show is presented against the backdrop of St. Petersburg's historic buildings.

Using 3D technology, the Aleksandrinsky Theater, the Maliyingsky Theater, the Isaquievsky Cathedral, the Stadium of the "St. Petersburg Arena" and the Palace Square are magically decorated, making them as attractive to a large audience as ever.

International Cultural Forum

It will be held from November to December

The International Cultural Forum is a unique, world-class cultural event that is discussed annually by thousands of experts from around the world. Participants include theatre, ballet and opera stars, directors and musicians, academic community, business and political representatives.

The Forum also includes various cultural and educational activities that unite both those who participate in the Forum and the citizens. The formal forum activities are divided into 14 groups, which over the years have been chaired by well-known Russian cultural activists, and the president of St. Petersburg State University, Nikolai Klopachev, is the moderator of the "Education" group.

International Festival "Kaghilev"

It will be held from November to December

The festival "Diaghilev" is one of the world's major cultural events, named after Sergei D'Aghilev, a prominent Russian dramatist and artist and a student of St. Petersburg State University. The festival is attended by ballet and theatre groups from all over the world, world-class superstars. During the festival, visitors can also enjoy unique themed exhibitions and films.