Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
May
Spring is finally here, and with it a slew of holidays in the first two weeks of the
month. Late May is a great time to come to St Petersburg before the summer
crowds arrive.
Victory Day
Celebrating the end of WWII, 9 May is a day of huge local importance, when resid-
ents remember the 900-day Nazi blockade. Crowds assemble at Piskaryovskoe Ce-
culminates in fireworks over the Neva in the evening.
City Day
Mass celebrations are held throughout the city centre on 27 May, the city's official
birthday, known as
den goroda
(city day). Brass bands, folk-dancing and mass drunk-
enness are the salient features of this perennial favourite, which marks Peter the
Great's founding of the city in 1703.
June
This is St Petersburg's high season, and there's certainly no shortage of things
to do, as the nights are white, spirits are high and the city has an almost surreal
atmosphere.
Festival of Festivals
St Petersburg's annual international film festival is held during the White Nights in
late June. Co-sponsored by Lenfilm and hosted at cinemas around the city, the festival
is a noncompetitive showcase of the best Russian and world cinema.
