Colors of Saint Petersburg - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle
The city of Saint Petersburg has been for many years the most in demand tourist destination of global scale. The Capital of Culture of the country attracts foreign guests with plenty of landmarks and sites, upscale restaurants of various trends and rich cultural life all the year round. One of the most favorite entertainments among tourists during Petersburg vacation is watching the drawing bridges being a unique and exciting spectacle. In order not to miss the show tourists are offered special leaflets giving information on a schedule of bridge drawing, however many tourists know this information by heart. The leaflets are commonly provided in every tourist information office as well as in most hotels of the city.
A starting point in the exploration of the great city of Saint Petersburg is considered to be the Palace Square being the heart of the city. The square is crowded at any time of day and … Open
A number of entertainment establishments presented in Saint Petersburg equals the number of its landmarks and cultural sites. Tourists will find in the city various entertainments fitting … Open
It is not without reason that St. Petersburg is called the “cultural capital of Russia”. The number of theaters, museums, galleries and concert halls here can be compared with the number of art cafes on Broadway in New York. It is also not surprising that the festivals which are dedicated to theatrical art are some of the favorite events among locals and tourists. First of all, the cultural marathon devoted to the International Theater Day is worth highlighting. It is marked on March 27th under the title “All Day is Theater!”. The venue for this bright event is the Saint Petersburg State Museum of Theatre and Music. Attending the festival provides plenty of options like enjoying beautiful theater performances, music and dance performances or listening to a lecture program and witnessing musical concerts. At this time, themed tours around exhibition halls of the building are held.
1. A heat of the tourist season on Saint Petersburg falls within a period from the middle of may till the end of September as this period features the most favorable weather for trips and … Open
Another interesting festival is dedicated to verse and timed to the World Day of Poetry (celebrated on March 21st), so the event usually takes place in the last days of March. The fest is free for the public and runs on several platforms. Firstly, there is the Art and Music Center of the Mayakovsky Central City Library, where meetings with contemporary Russian authors take place. Secondly, we have the Book House, where musical and poetry contests are held, as well as an interactive program for children and adults. In late March, St. Petersburg pays tribute to the influence of France on the city. The French Institute holds the Days of Francophony during this time which include a screening of French films in the original language and musical performances in French. As well as the aforementioned event, the Days of Francophony can be visited for free.
Discovering the architecture of Saint Petersburg from bird's eye view! Church of the Savior on Blood, Catherine Palace, Peter and Paul Cathedral, Saint Michael Castle, Alexander Palace, Kunstkamera, all those monuments are defining the image of Saint Petersburg … Open
Many tourists find it interesting to visit the so-called “Intelligent Flea Market”, the traditional venue of which is the Technopark “Lenpoligrafmash”. So, being there at the end of March, you can purchase valuable and unique items at favorable prices. These things will become a bright reminder of the wonderful trip to the northern capital of Russia. Another fair opens during the St. Petersburg Fashion Week (or simply SPbFW). The peculiarity of the fair is that the money earned from the selling of fashionable items goes to charity. Here you can buy both vintage and trendy outfits. Help lies in the fact that people bring clothes that they are not wearing anymore but which may be useful to others. As for the Fashion Week, it takes place in the Alexandrinsky Theater, where the designer’s ideas are presented by couturiers not only from Russia, but from other countries like Georgia, Belarus, Italy, and Ukraine.
Saint Isaac Cathedral, Winter Palace, Kazan Cathedral, Alexandrinsky Theatre, Smolny Cathedral, Trinity Cathedral, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Saint Petersburg … Open
Those that are crazy about the incendiary bits will be happy to visit the northern capital of Russia in early April when the “Drop The Bass Festival” takes place. This event is dedicated to electronic music in all its manifestations. Anyone who wants to dance, or enjoy life and extraordinary fun, can go conquer the vastness of the popular night club Opera Concert Club. Moreover, the same club becomes the venue for the “Neuropunk Festival”. It can be visited by lovers of Russian punk who are guaranteed blood-boiling music in mid-April. Kurt Cobain is also loved in the cultural capital of Russia which is reflected in the “Kurt Cobain Birthday Fest”. The organizers give people the opportunity to remember about life and creation of the Nirvana’s frontman. In late February, the Russian musicians immerse us into the nostalgia of “Smells like teen spirit” in the club ZAL.
White Nights, drawbridges, many attractions, unique museums, and its special culture – you will find all these and more in the northern capital of Russia - Saint Petersburg. The city is … Open
Right before the “Jazz Manor”, the festival called “Legends of Norwegian Vikings” takes its place at the Hare Island at the end of May. Reconstruction lovers from all parts of Russia come here to take part in this event either as a viewer or as a participant. Cognitive dissonance can arise from a visit to this place. Visiting the island at this time feels like it is not the 21st century in the courtyard, but the very era when the Vikings conquered the continents and fought the conquest of lands. The program of the colorful festival includes battles between re-enactors, food courts, the opening of the fair with handicraft products, concerts of ancient music in modern and classical manufacturing, as well as a reproduction of Viking rites, and interactive events. The festival is visited annually by experts from the Norwegian Lofotr Viking Museum. You will be glad to learn that visiting the event is free.
Saint Petersburg impresses its visitors with a vast choice of gastronomy establishments being of great attraction for tourists. Many restaurants and city cafes features centuries-long … Open
Nevertheless, dressing up as favorite heroes is always popular in St. Petersburg. It is proven by the presence of three major cosplay festivals. One of them – Starcon – is the oldest fest in the entire post-Soviet region. It has earned abiding love of many fans of fantasy, cinema, games, and science. It is held in early July and includes a lot of activities: a costume show and a competition for the best outfit, a food tasting, sports competitions as well as film screenings and master classes. The favorite heroes of the residents of Saint Petersburg are the characters from “The Witcher”, “Doctor Who” and “Star Wars”. All these could be seen at the “Expoforum Convention and Exhibition Centre”. Among other interesting cosplay festivals, we should not fail to highlight Epic Con, which takes place at the St. Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex at the end of April, and “BigFest”, which starts in early June at the Street Art Museum.
A starting point in the exploration of the great city of Saint Petersburg is considered to be the Palace Square being the heart of the city. The square is crowded at any time of day and … Open
Excellent gastronomic festivals are also held in St. Petersburg. One of the most famous is the “Smelt festival”, which opens the fishing season. It takes place at the “Lenexpo Exhibition Complex” in the middle of May. Here you can not only try fish cooked in various ways but also participate in contests. A special program with attractions is organized for children, which makes the festival a place for the whole family. Another culinary fest is dedicated to gingerbread and is called “The World of Gingerbread”. It is held at the shopping center “Bolshoy Gostiny Dvor” at the end of November. The presentation of the monumental Gingerbread city is considered to be the most interesting part of the event. Besides the fact that you can taste the author’s delicacies, you can try a variety of gingerbreads from different cities, from Tula to Arkhangelsk and learn about their production.
A number of entertainment establishments presented in Saint Petersburg equals the number of its landmarks and cultural sites. Tourists will find in the city various entertainments fitting … Open
One cannot fail to mention the festival, for which hundreds of travelers leave their home countries and come to the cultural capital of Russia. It is of course, about the bright and exciting event “Scarlet Sails”. This celebration of youth is held in early June. It is timed to the day when all pupils graduate from their schools. The culmination of the festival is the reproduction of a romantic scene on the Neva from the classic work of Alexander Green. The moment when the main hero of the novel sails for the sake of his beloved Assol on a ship with scarlet sails unfolds on the Neva River. This is an incredibly spectacular show that can compete in brilliance with New Year’s celebration in New York. Also, the event includes musical concerts that are held on Palace Square. The headliners are stars of the Russian music scene.
1. A heat of the tourist season on Saint Petersburg falls within a period from the middle of may till the end of September as this period features the most favorable weather for trips and … Open
This guide to traditions and festivals in Saint Petersburg is protected by the copyright law. You can re-publish this content with mandatory attribution: direct and active hyperlink to www.orangesmile.com.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Saint Petersburg and surroundings
Reference information
Cathedrals and basilicas near Saint Petersburg
♥ Basilica of St. Catherine, Saint Petersburg, 4.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Basilica of St. Catherine, Saint Petersburg, 4.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
Survived castles around Saint Petersburg
♥ Castle 'Saint Michael’s Castle' , 2.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Peter and Paul Fortress' , 4.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Kronstadt Fortress' , 32.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Oreshek Fortress' , 38.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Saint Michael’s Castle' , 2.8 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Peter and Paul Fortress' , 4.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Kronstadt Fortress' , 32.4 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Castle 'Oreshek Fortress' , 38.5 km from the center. On the map Photo
Hilton builds third luxury hotel in Kyoto
The project organizers note that the new Kyoto hotel is perfect for both business and leisure. Just to remind you, the opening of the Roku Kyoto hotel took place in the city in 2021. The luxury hotel also never ceases to amaze guests with its exquisite atmosphere and variety of services. It is close to famous attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Shozan Resort Kyoto Pavilion is a short walk from the hotel. Read this
24.04.2024
The project organizers note that the new Kyoto hotel is perfect for both business and leisure. Just to remind you, the opening of the Roku Kyoto hotel took place in the city in 2021. The luxury hotel also never ceases to amaze guests with its exquisite atmosphere and variety of services. It is close to famous attractions like Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Shozan Resort Kyoto Pavilion is a short walk from the hotel. Read this
24.04.2024
Colors of Saint Petersburg in photos
Search for popular touristic sites on Saint Petersburg map
Cityguide on traditions, mentality and lifestyle of people in Saint Petersburg. Learn the best periods to visit Saint Petersburg to discover its soul - authentic festivals, events and celebrations. We will also reveal the interesting habits, attitude towards the world and to tourists in Saint Petersburg.