Admire the Christmas Tree on Palace Square

  • early December - mid January, round the clock
  • Palace Square
  • Free
  • QR code: not required

Glowing with all the different lights and sporting the most gay apparel imaginable, Christmas trees are definitely a token of the season and the epitome of wonder and magic . And St. Pete’s main tree is traditionally located on the city’s historically significant Palace Square, right beside the Alexander Column, the Hermitage Museum, and the General Staff Building. This is where the holiday season kicks off, so it’s a must-visit by any definition! 

Do you want to build a snowman? 

Credit: R K (@farmtrue) on Unsplash

Credit: R K (@farmtrue) on Unsplash

  • Snowy days, ideal temperatures for sticky snow are between 0 and -3 C
  • Parks of St. Pete (here or here) 
  • Free
  • QR code: not required

Now, even if you aren’t the biggest Frozen fan, it’s hard to pass on the joy of building your own snowman, especially with piles of snow coating St. Pete and the recently more welcoming temperatures (compared to last week’s -20 С, that is). To make it even more fun, you can run a contest for the best snowman (or even snow creature?) with your friends that may or may not lead to a snowball fight to decide on the winner once and for all. Don’t forget to dress well to stay warm and not let the cold ruin the fun.

Visit a New Year market

The main market will open on Manezhnaya Square on December 18 and will feature all your staples: hand-made presents, mulled wine, delicious street food, the staple seasonal tunes, and even a program of events. The square will rock The Nutcracker-themed decorations, so you’re bound to spot many a mouse there, as well as a lot of color. And if you want to visit something a little more off the beaten track, head over to New Holland Island, Sevkabel Port, or Yelagin Island (planned to open on December 20) or maybe visit a different market every day – let it be like an advent calendar where you build up your holiday spirit little by little. 

See The Nutcracker

  • Ideally in December 
  • Theaters in St. Petersburg
  • Starting from 2,500 rubles
  • QR code: required 

If you’ve never had the chance to experience this ballet before, let it be the year when you remedy this misfortune. There is nothing like stepping out of the theater into the city hidden under a blanket of snow after you’ve just seen winter magic unveiled on stage. You can see the ballet in several of the city’s theaters and we’ve recently elaborated on the different versions here. Whichever one you settle on, feel free to make the whole day special as well so that your visit feels even more like a New Year’s present. Take a walk in a snowy park, stop by a cafe for a hot chocolate, visit the Palace Square, and head over into the fairytale.