Thursday, December 5

On the big screen: Midas Man

In Russian, the title of the movie is The Fifth Beatle – an apt name for a biographical piece about the man who managed the legendary band, his rise to prominence and his sudden death at the age of 32. A must-watch for any and all Beatlemaniacs. 

Friday, December 6

Flagstock Ice Rink

  • 9:30 am - 11:30 pm, Tue-Sun
  • Zenit metro station
  • 250-500 rubles (100-350 rubles for students; free sessions available) + 350 rubles skate rental

12,700 square meters of pure skating fun will soon more than double in size, turning into one of Europe’s largest ice rinks! Stunning views of Lakhta Center, the Gulf of Finland, and Gazprom Arena, a convenient location close to a metro station, and free skating sessions every week – this is the place for a perfect winter experience.

Saturday, December 7

Music club at Community center: from Louis XIV to modern cinema

This lecture by musicologist Asya Bargatuni is a chance to practice your Russian as you dive into the sounds of music by Bach, Vivaldi, and other renowned composers that became the score of celebrated movies. 

Sunday, December 8

Nikolskye Ryady Ice Rink

  • Week days: 12-9 pm; weekends: 10 am - 10 pm
  • Nikolskye Ryady
  • 300-400 rubles on week days; 500 rubles on weekends + 400-500 rubles skate rental

If you’d rather go ice skating in the city center, you’re in luck: the winter season has begun at Nikolskye Ryady. Come here to enjoy winter in a quieter space with an abundance of winter decorations and festive music all around. 

Monday, December 9

Christmas exhibition

  • Until February 2, Tue-Fri: 10 am - 6 pm; Sat-Mon: 2-10 pm
  • Annenkirche
  • 800 rubles (600 rubles for students)

Feeling like Grinch – not a cheer in sight? Don’t worry, this annual exhibition can and will fix that: you’ll find yourself in a world all about Christmas, including the already iconic upside-down Christmas tree on the ceiling and the northern lights. You are guaranteed to have your spirits lifted!

Tuesday, December 10

Exhibition: On Naive Fragility

  • Until January 20, 11 am - 10 pm daily
  • ArtMuza
  • Free

In this exhibition, photographer Alisa Lyu turns to delicately crafted compositions of objects to express emotions that cannot be put into words or even less obscure imagery. Using these pictures as a playground, a world of pretend, she explores the fragile structure of the real one.

Wednesday, December 11

On the big screen: The Marriage of Figaro

Straight from the stage of the Vienna State Opera, we have a new rendition of the funny-yet-serious opera by Mozart. Wrap your head around all the plots unveiling on the eve of a wedding of servants Figaro and Susanna at the house of their dallying employer Count Almaviva – and come away with some new earworms for company!