St Petersburg Travel Guide - Festivals & Events
January Festivals
New Year’s Day: as a former follower of the Julian calendar, St Petersburg enjoys two New Year’s festivals, one on the traditional 1 January and another on 13 January, known as Old New Year. The long, dark evenings prior to both holidays see massive partying in the city although it is the more commonly recognised eve of 31 December that is slowly taking over.
New Year’s Day: as a former follower of the Julian calendar, St Petersburg enjoys two New Year’s festivals, one on the traditional 1 January and another on 13 January, known as Old New Year. The long, dark evenings prior to both holidays see massive partying in the city although it is the more commonly recognised eve of 31 December that is slowly taking over.
Russian Orthodox Christmas: like New Year’s Day, Russian Christmas has traditionally fallen later, on 7 January. In truth the 1 December, 7 January and 13 January celebrations can often merge into one – and you should expect plenty of drinking.
May Festivals
Labour Day: not as significant as when Russia was under Communist rule but still important nonetheless, Labour Day on 1 May is still a national holiday across the country during which time processions are held and most people sit back to enjoy the day off work.
Labour Day: not as significant as when Russia was under Communist rule but still important nonetheless, Labour Day on 1 May is still a national holiday across the country during which time processions are held and most people sit back to enjoy the day off work.
June Festivals
Russia Day: a holiday associated with the end of Communism, Russia Day relates to when the Duma, or Russian Parliament, in June 1990 declared independence from the Soviet Union, as the latter broke up into independent states. This is marked as a national holiday steeped in patriotism.
Russia Day: a holiday associated with the end of Communism, Russia Day relates to when the Duma, or Russian Parliament, in June 1990 declared independence from the Soviet Union, as the latter broke up into independent states. This is marked as a national holiday steeped in patriotism.
July Festivals
Message to Man: held in June or July every year, the Message to Man is an international short film and documentary festival in St Petersburg that typically lasts one week.
Message to Man: held in June or July every year, the Message to Man is an international short film and documentary festival in St Petersburg that typically lasts one week.
December Festivals
Christmas: in recent years the Christmas that the rest of the Christian world celebrates on 25 December has become the default Christmas despite competition from the Old Christmas according to the Julian calendar. Lots of good, ample vodka and the exchanging of gifts make this a traditional affair with a Russian flavour.
Christmas: in recent years the Christmas that the rest of the Christian world celebrates on 25 December has become the default Christmas despite competition from the Old Christmas according to the Julian calendar. Lots of good, ample vodka and the exchanging of gifts make this a traditional affair with a Russian flavour.