May is the beginning of the summer season in St. Petersburg. This month, trees leaves bloom in the parks, fountains begin to operate. White Nights begins at the end of the month. St Petersburg celebrates its birthday (City Day) in May. There are many interesting events in St. Petersburg this month.
Opening of the summer tourist season
Presumably May 1 - 5, 2024.
May is the beginning of the tourist season in St. Petersburg. Especially many tourists come in May on the May Long Weekend and on City Day.
During the May weekend, various events for tourists will probably take place in the city.
Fountains operation start in Peterhof
The turning on of fountains in Peterhof usually occurs by the first of May (weather permitting). In 2024, the fountains will presumably be turned on on Saturday, April 20 or 27. From this day on, entrance to the parks of the Peterhof Museum-Reserve will be paid. The festival of the season beginning will take place in mid-May (May 18 or 25).
Look the information on the official website: peterhofmuseum.ru
See also: Peterhof, Hermitage Museum, Mariinsky Theater, guided tours in St. Petersburg.
Icebreaker Festival
Dates: April 28 - May 1, 2024.
It has already become a tradition that in the first days of May an icebreaker festival is held in St. Petersburg. Several icebreakers will be moored along the Lieutenant Schmidt embankment and can be visited (possibly free of charge). The icebreaker-museum "Krasin" is also permanently located there.
For several days, icebreakers will be moored at the Lieutenant Schmidt embankment, which can be visited on excursions.
There will probably be performances by musicians and street food.
Nearest metro station: Vasileostrovskaya.
Visit a botanical garden
At the end of April, cherry blossoms began to bloom in the Botanical Garden. Perhaps you will have time to see. If not sakura, then other plants.
Address: Professor Popova Street, 2P, St. Petersburg (Petrogradskaya metro station).
Military parade on Palace Square
Date: May 9, 2024.
Celebration of Victory Day in St. Petersburg is held may 9. Traditionally, there are organized at the feast day in St. Petersburg: parade on Palace Square. Maybe there will be fireworks near the Peter and Paul Fortress (22:00). At the military parade and later on the square you will see military equipment, which is used by the Russian army.
Palace Square of St. Petersburg location can be seen on the map.
Film festival "Vivat Cinema of Russia"
Dates: May ---, 2024.
The festival "Vivat Cinema of Russia" has been held since 1993. The films will be shown in theaters: Rodina, Filmfond, Zanevsky, Voskhod, Aurora (Peterhof) and the cinema of the hotel "Moscow".
Hermitage Cats Day
May ---, 2024.
The Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg has a lot of cats. They help to protect works of art from the rats and mice. Hermitage Cat Day holiday is annually held in the Hermitage. You can bring gifts for cats. The museum has more cats than it needs. Willing can take the cat home from the Hermitage (by prior arrangement).
Specify the information on the website hermitagecats.ru
Family day
Date: May 15, 2020.
International Family Day is celebrated annually on May 15th. Events dedicated to the family and for families will be organized at various venues in the city.
See also: places to visit in St. Petersburg.
Night of Museums 2024
Dates: May 18, 2024.
"Night of Museums" is held annually in May in many European countries. Many museums are open longer than usual in the evening and at night on this day.
Event is especially popular among young people. Museums visiting on this day in Russia, as a rule, is not free.
Location the most popular museums of St. Petersburg on the map.
Most popular museums of St. Petersburg.
Tulip festival
May 16-17, 2020.
The next Tulip Festival is planned to be held in the Kirov Park on Elagin Island. The festival was among the best tulip festivals in the world. Visitors will be able to see 130 varieties of tulips. (Paid entrance.)
Peterhof fountains season opening festival
Dates: May 16, 2020 (date not yet confirmed).
Traditionally, the fountains season opening in Peterhof is accompanied by a great celebration. Fountains in Petrodvorets will run from May until the end of summer. In recent years, the fountains started to operate before the grand season opening festival. If weather will calm, fountains can start work from 1st May.
Festival of the season takes place in the second half of May. Fountains of Peterhof can start working with the 1st of May.
Location Peterhof on map of Petersburg.
Transport festival SPbTransportFest
May 16 - 18, 2024.
Transport festival SPbTransportFest. On Manege Square (as was the case last year) you will be able to see old and new equipment. A concert program is planned on stage on Manezhnaya Square. Retro transport parade.
Manezhnaya Square is located near Nevsky Prospekt, next to the circus.
Retro-Transport Parade
Date: May 23, 2020.
A parade of old cars along Nevsky Prospekt. The parade will be attended by samples of passenger transport from the car parks of the city, as well as cars from private collections.
Do this in advance, do not delay for tomorrow:
- Book a hotel in St. Petersburg.
- Buy a ticket for the plane.
- Choose and book a guided tour.
St. Petersburg International Book Fair
Dates: May 16 - 19, 2024.
The St. Petersburg International Book Fair is traditionally held at the end of May. The event program includes an exhibition-fair and a business program. Representatives of publishing houses, writers, Russian and international experts will take part in the events.
Venue: Palace Square.
Day of Slavic Writing and Culture
May 24, 2024.
Day of Slavic writing and culture is held in honor of Saints Cyril and Methodius. It is planned that on this day a large choir will perform on Palace Square.
Day of the City of St. Petersburg
Dates: May 27, 2024.
City Day in Saint Petersburg is traditionally celebrated in the second half of May. St Petersburg was founded by Peter the Great on May 27 (May 16, by Old Style), 1703. Holiday activities for the residents of the city are organized in the nearest (to this date) weekend.
At these days in many parts of the city organized a lot of interest for tourists and locals events. May 27-th is traditionally held the ceremony of laying flowers at the monument to Peter the Great.
Half Marathon in Vyborg
May 26, 2019.
It is traditional event for runners, sport and healthy lifestyles lovers in Vyborg. The event will include various distances for runners with different physical form: 21 km , 10 km and 3.5 km.
St. Petersburg Art Week
Dates: May 26 - 31, 2020.
At the exhibition will be presented more than 1000 objects created by creative people from many countries of the world. Representatives of many cities of Russia and other countries take part in the event. In the program of the festival: International Contest of Classical Painting, International Contest of Abstract and Avant-garde Art, International Sculpture Competition, International Photography Contest.
Check the information on the site: spbartweek.ru
Venue: Exhibition Center of the St. Petersburg Union of Artists.
Address: Saint-Petersburg, Bolshaya Morskaya Street, 38.
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