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Winter Sports Festival of the North
Where: In and around Murmansk
When: End of March for 10 days
Well? It’s an annual celebration of the end of total darkness for two months by lots of winter sports and general craic. Underwater swimming in ice lakes anyone?
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Moscow International Film Festival
Where: Moscow
When: Around June
Well? First started in 1935 and revived in 1959.
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St Petersburg White Nights
Where: Not unique to St Petes but this is where the biggest celebrations are
When: Late May - early July, brightest June 11th - July 2nd
Well? Situated at such a high latitude, the sun in the northern hemisphere doesn’t go below the horizon meaning it never grows dark. 24 hour party people!
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Russians love to celebrate and throughout the year there are many occasions on the calendar deemed worthy. New Year is the biggest celebration of the year: all cities do something to mark the occasion, but the biggest and best party is in Moscow. Christmas falls on 7th January and is becoming more popular and commercial after being banned under Communism. ‘Maslinitsa’ is a nice time to visit as right across the country, one week before Lent, bells ring out and pancakes are eaten with sour cream and honey. It also ties in with the Pagan sun festival for longer days and a goodbye to winter.