Thursday, December 19
New Year's Bazaar
- Until January 8, 12-9 pm daily, except for holidays
- New Holland Island
- Free
New Holland’s New Year’s Bazaar makes a grand return with an array of seasonal foods and drinks, unique and original gifts, and an eight-meter-tall holiday tree at its very heart! There’s more outside, as well – we’re talking a fir tree market, various stores, a scenic outdoor ice rink, and decorated alleys.
Friday, December 20
Ice rink at Christmas Market
- Until January 8, 12-9 pm daily, except for holidays
- Manezhnaya Square (also Dvortsovaya and Moskovskaya Squares)
- Free (a 1,000 rubles deposit for skates rental)
Get wrapped up in festivities at the city’s main Christmas Market at Manezhnaya Square – with its truly magical atmosphere complete with a winter carousel, foods and beverages from around the globe, and a diverse program for everyone from young to old. Per tradition, visitors can enjoy ice skating amidst all the fun; the ice rink is free of charge, but skates rental requires a deposit.
Saturday, December 21
Concert: Rachmaninoff. Symphony No. 1. Wagner, Elgar
- 8 pm
- St. Petersburg Philharmonia
- 600-1,800 rubles – tickets here
This Saturday, experience the magic of classical music at St. Petersburg Philharmonia. Highlights include Richard Wagner's Tristan and Isolde, Sergei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 1, and some other musical staples.
Sunday, December 22
Popcorn Market
- December 21-22, 12-9 pm
- Sevkabel Port
- Free
Popcorn Market is a go-to place for winter shopping, arts & crafts workshops, delicious treats, and that festive feeling. From local brands and handcrafted accessories to all sorts of knick-knacks, the market offers plenty of great choices when it comes to gift ideas for loved ones – and yourself. What else can make gift-giving a breeze? Our gift guide has it all and more.
Monday, December 23
Viktor Vasnetsov. 175th Anniversary of the Artist’s Birth
- Until June 23, 10 am - 8 pm (Mon), 10 am - 6 pm (Wed-Sun)
- Benois Wing (Russian Museum)
- 600-1,000 rubles (450-700 rubles for students) – tickets here
The Russian Museum closes the year of 2024 on a high note – with a large-scale retrospective of Viktor Vasnetsov’s works. The exhibition offers an insight into the life and creative path of the celebrated Russian artist of the 19th and 20th centuries, most known for his mythological, fairy-tale motifs. On view is an unprecedented collection of the artist’s works, including Alyonushka, the bogatyr series, and many others.
Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Market at Botanical Garden
- Until December 29, 10 am - 6 pm daily
- St. Petersburg Botanical Garden
- 300 rubles (entrance ticket) – ticket here
There’s no such thing as too many Christmas markets – there is, however, such a thing as not enough time. But still… make time to visit the Botanical Garden’s Christmas Market, which will be up and running for nine days only! The organizers promise loads and loads of handmade and craft items, from ceramics and macrame to chocolate, and various workshop classes.
Wednesday, December 25
Winter-themed photo exhibition
- Starting from December 24, 11 am - 9 pm
- ROSPHOTO
- 400 rubles (250 rubles for students) – tickets here
Enjoy the winter indoors as you explore season-inspired photographs by local artists at ROSPHOTO’s freshly-opened display. In the spotlight is St. Petersburg: snowfalls, frozen rivers and canals, snow-covered embankments, and everything else so dearly adored by locals about the certain charm that the season brings to the city.
