Modern festivals are bright public holidays. They originate from medieval fairs with festivities and carnival processions. Currently, the festival movement has swept many cities. St. Petersburg was no exception. Over the course of the year, more than 400 different festivals are held here that are of interest to both citizens and tourists.
Festival movement in St. Petersburg
You will not find a complete list of events taking place in the city on the Neva. Some holidays have clear dates, others may shift according to the calendar or not be held at all in some years. Usually, before the festival, posters and posters appear on the city streets warning of an approaching event.
The theme of the holidays is very diverse. It should be noted the marked predominance of academic festivals dedicated to classical art and especially music. This allows the city to maintain its status as the cultural capital of Russia. Often during the celebration you can get in touch with various types of art. For example, the tulip festival in St. Petersburg will allow viewers to see not only the work of florists. Living sculptures, performances by animators in historical costumes, theatrical or ballet scenes, live music, master classes for children - all this is elegantly woven into the program of the event.
Music festivals
Music lovers can fully enjoy their favorite works during festive events in St. Petersburg. Especially for them, festivals are held dedicated to different directions. So, lovers of opera, ballet and classics will like Petersburg Spring (in May), Stars of the White Nights (June-July). At the festival "Palaces of St. Petersburg" (May-June), famous singers and musicians from different countries organize concerts in beautiful temples and palaces.
The three-day event "Stereoleto", which takes place on Elagin Island, is very popular. Famous groups and individual performers, both domestic and foreign, come here. Of the rock festivals in St. Petersburg, the most striking are "Open Windows!" (June) and "Alive!" (August). Loved by the inhabitants of the city and jazz. Festivals in St. Petersburg dedicated to this trend are the oldest “White Night Swing”, “Petrodzhaz” and “Jazz Triumph”. Quite interesting was the event "Roof Music Fest", during which you can listen to live music on the roof of high-rise buildings, which offer excellent views of the city.
Theater festivals
Spectators will also not be disappointed. In June, Yelagin Island turns into a stage for colorful performances. The international festival in St. Petersburg brings together street theater masters not only from Russia, but also from Germany, France, Australia, Poland, Spain, Holland, Estonia, Belarus.
You can get acquainted with modern art at the summer event "Access Point". The performances here are staged not on the stage, but in spaces unsuitable for this. Spectators are completely immersed in simulated reality and become full participants in the action.
Festivals of puppet, student, drama and other theaters are held in St. Petersburg . A lot of attention is paid to the younger generation. Festivals "Rainbow" and "Harlequin" are called upon to support modern youth theater.
Getting to know art
Many festivals in St. Petersburg are multi-genre. For example, the competition "Cultural Capital", which presents such areas as vocals, choreography, playing musical instruments, various types of theater, including a fashion theater. Different facets of street culture are dedicated to Urban Culture Fest. At this festival, you can listen to live music, get acquainted with famous DJs and tattoo artists, purchase designer jewelry, play streetball, and ride a skateboard.
You can witness the world dance trends and learn from the best choreographers at the OPEN LOOK event. The campaign "Night at the Museum" has become traditional for the city. On this day, interesting excursions, master classes, historical reconstructions, lectures are held in galleries and exhibition halls. St. Petersburg festivals can be enumerated endlessly, especially since the organizers come up with something new every year.
Recent Festivals
For example, in 2018, citizens were invited for the first time to an event with the unusual name “Lapot Fest”. Its task is to promote the popularization of arts and crafts and folk crafts. Within the framework of the festival, you can listen to live music, purchase interesting products, participate in master classes, as well as get advice from professionals from Russia, Kazakhstan, Spain, Italy or Germany.
In May 2018, the first circus festival of St. Petersburg "On the Fontanka" was held. It attracted artists from 20 countries. Clowns, acrobats, trainers, magicians demonstrated their performances. The titled circus performers not only competed with each other, but also introduced the audience to the different facets of their magical art.
Geek Picnic Festival
Relatively recently (in 2011) in St. Petersburg, and then in Moscow, they began to hold another interesting event dedicated to science and modern technologies. Geek Picnic quickly became popular thanks to interesting speakers giving exciting lectures. Here you can see world-famous scientists, famous leaders, writers, and representatives of culture.
Within the framework of the festival there are exhibitions where unusual inventions are presented. Those present have the opportunity to experiment, test new devices. Championships are held in robotics, programming, various shows, competitions of unmanned drones. For those who want to relax, there is a zone for table and sports games. At the huge food court you can try unusual dishes. For example, cryo-ice cream.
Gourmet Festivals
You can eat sweets at other holidays. The ice cream festival in St. Petersburg has been held for more than 20 years. On Ostrovskaya Square in late May, you can try popsicle and waffle cups, sorbet and colorful fruit ice. Artists and musical groups perform for guests, children can see their favorite cartoons and soap bubble shows.
A favorite event of many citizens was the annual festival "Oh, yes! Food!" Here you can eat, see the fights of famous chefs, become a member of the master class. For children, there is a culinary school, for adults, an open-air lecture hall. Those who are afraid to get fat can look into the nutritionist’s office.
Landscaping and beautiful flowers
In May, many Petersburgers go to the tulip festival. In St. Petersburg on Elagin Island, they are waiting for fragrant flower beds, surprising with a wealth of colors and lines. Gardeners will be interested in a variety of varieties. As part of the event, competitions are held among florists, master classes from professionals. The program of the Tulip Festival in St. Petersburg includes live music, performances by artists and costume scenes.
In June, guests are greeted by the city's gardens. In one of them starts an interesting event called "Imperial Gardens of Russia." Landscape designers showcase their art. Citizens and tourists can enjoy garden sculptures and unusual floral arrangements. The program is complemented by musical concerts, dance groups, lectures, excursions, master classes.
Holiday on the banks of the Neva
St. Petersburg is a port city. It is not surprising that some of the festivals are associated with ships and the Neva. Every year, an event with the romantic name "Scarlet Sails" is organized for school graduates. On this day, a theatrical performance takes place on Palace Square. At midnight, fireworks fly up over the river and a light show to the music begins. The holiday ends with the advent of a fabulous ship with red sails.
In July, everyone is going to a maritime festival. In St. Petersburg, the venue was the Peter and Paul Fortress. Here you can see themed exhibitions, learn how to knit sea knots, participate in adventures, listen to music. Magnificent sailboats defiantly pass through the water area. Yachtsmen take part in competitions. Spectators watch the demonstration performances of surfers and other water sports enthusiasts.
The most colorful shows
A lot of positive impressions can be obtained at the festival of colors in St. Petersburg. It takes place in June. Hundreds of people gather at the Kirovets stadium who want to plunge into a carefree childhood. Live music sounds for them, the best DJs perform . As entertainment, it is proposed to apply face painting, make henna or braid hair in many thin braids. The culmination of the program is the fighting, during which the participants throw bright colors at each other and also shoot colorful jets from water pistols.
Much more relaxing is the lantern festival in the park. Grandma’s. They are not launched into the sky, but onto the water surface. The event takes place twice - in spring and autumn. Under easy jazz people make wishes. If it is associated with the achievement of success and wealth, you need to put a flashlight in the form of a cube. Dreaming of meeting a soul mate buy colored lotuses. The festival is very romantic. Performances of fire collectives give it even more brilliance.
Immerse yourself in the fantastic world of installations at LumiFest. The event was first held in the fall of 2015. With the onset of darkness, the city is illuminated by bright lights and fiery shows. The audience is shown holograms, a laser theater, short films. Facades of buildings come to life and are transformed with the help of modern technology. In parallel with this, a scientific conference is being held for specialists.
Winter festivals
I must say that Petersburgers have a special love for light shows. Such festivals are held regularly, and often fall on New Year's holidays. So, in 2018, the event "Christmas Star" was first held, when a fabulous winter forest suddenly appeared in the city center. A magnificent sight was complemented by fireworks and a theater of fire.
In the cold season, creative events are not getting smaller. The ice sculpture festival is traditionally held in the Peter and Paul Fortress from late December to early February. In a special tent with minus temperature you can see unusual compositions highlighted in rainbow colors. In February, everyone can take part in Winter SanyDay. To do this, you need to construct a sled of unusual design. Volunteers test them during downhill skiing.
In bad weather, you can attend indoor events. At the beginning of winter, one unusual festival is held in St. Petersburg. It is called "Easy to Start." Children and adults get the opportunity to plunge into the world of various master classes. You will be taught singing, dancing or foreign languages. Gingerbread painting, carving, board games, clay modeling - 4 floors are allocated for various events in the Peterland shopping mall. Without a map, it's easy to get lost. Most workshops are free or their price is relatively low.
It is impossible to visit all the festivals in St. Petersburg. But each person will be able to choose activities that are interesting to him personally. The city offers entertainment and activities for every taste. The main thing is to have a good rest and have a good time.