Thursday, May 21

Blooming Garden

A new greenery popup just opened in the courtyard of Manege; it’s a perfect in-city escape with over 60 living plants and a collection of Russian art from the Museum of 20th-21st Century Art of St Petersburg, the Vyatka Art Museum, and many other Russian museums – all in the open-air and all day long.

Friday, May 22

21st St. Petersburg Book Salon

The city’s main literary event is back for 2026 to offer you four action-packed days of all things books – there, you can meet local authors, learn about new releases, get involved in arts & crafts workshops, and more. The event will bring together writers and readers on Palace Square, transformed into a sprawling open-air book market; plus, some events will be hosted at other venues.

Saturday, May 23

Tulip Festival

  • May 23-24, 10 am - 6 pm
  • Yelagin Island
  • 400 rubles (50 rubles for students)

If you haven’t made it last weekend, this is your last chance to attend a joyful flower celebration – and get the annual floral pic for your socials. This year, the festival is abloom with a rainbow of flowers (the record-breaking 226,000+ tulips), several gardens, and an engaging entertainment program. 

Sunday, May 24

Ice Cream Festival

Having a sweet tooth? This is the festival for you! This quintessential summer festival will feature a two-day feast, an alluring selection of ice cream in every shape, size, and flavor, and fun activities for kids and adults alike.

Monday, May 25

reMusik.org 2026

Calling all music lovers! This Monday, you can enjoy a night of sound featuring an acclaimed Russian ensemble of contemporary music. Their repertoire will include the 20th-21st chamber music, ranging from Russian avant-garde and Western modernism to the works of the recent years.

Tuesday, May 26

Catherine I

  • Until September 27, 11 am - 6 pm (Wed, Thu, Fri), 11 am - 8 pm (Tue, Fri, Sat)
  • Hermitage Museum
  • 700 rubles (300 rubles for students)

The first in the series devoted to Russian emperors, the exhibition invites visitors to step into the life of Empress Catherine I – the first woman on the Russian throne. The exhibition unfolds chronically and traces the main stages of the empress’ life: from her marriage to Tsar Peter I to her coronation and prosperous years of reign. On view are over 450 pieces of historical memorabilia, including portraits, costumes, jewelry, numismatics, and more.

Wednesday, May 27

Vasily Tropinin

The Russian Museum’s new retrospective explores the legacy of Vasily Tropinin, a key figure in Russian portrait art, and features more than 100 pieces of art, plus accompanying graphics, that illustrate the artist’s creative path: from his first attempts in the domain to mature works.