Thursday, December 18
Portraiture. A Personality and an Era
- Until March 29, 11 am - 6 pm (Wed, Thu, Sun), 11 am - 8 pm (Tue, Fri, Sat)
- Hermitage Museum
- 700 rubles (free for students on Thu) – tickets here
Following the Russian Museum, the Hermitage Museum opens its own portrait-inspired exhibition that invites visitors to explore the evolution of the genre, from its classic roots to its contemporary manifestations. The display showcases the world in faces with artworks from all over the globe: namely, the ancient statue of Amenemhat III, portraits and self-portraits by Flemish painter Anthony van Dyck, portrait photographs by Annie Leibovitz, and more.
Friday, December 19
The Fifth Element (1997)
- 9:40 pm
- Avrora Cinema
- Starting from 500 rubles – tickets here
A 23rd-century future, an end-of-the-world plot, and a stand-out cast. What’s it if not the perfect fit for a Friday night? This December, Avrora Cinema is showing The Fifth Element (1997), starring Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, and Ian Holm, on the big screen. The movie is screened in the original language with Russian subtitles.
Saturday, December 20
Market by the Sea
- December 20-21, 12-9 pm (Sat), 12-8 pm (Sun)
- Sevkabel Port
- Free
There’s nothing like a Christmas market to get one, even the grinchiest of us, into the holiday spirit; this time, the traditional Market by the Sea at Sevkabel Port is stealing the show. Come down here this weekend to shop for unique locally-made presents, spark your creativity at crafty workshops, sip on seasonal drinks, and immerse yourself in the festive cheer.
Sunday, December 21
Christmas Fair
- Daily until January 11
- Dvortsovaya, Manezhnaya, and Moskovskaya Squares
- Free
The city’s main Christmas market is back! The fair will traditionally delight its visitors with a vintage-style New Year’s tree, merrily-decorated alleys, a winter carousel, a free ice rink and a tubing slide, as well as pop-up stalls featuring seasonal foods and drinks, themed goodies and souvenirs, and more.
Monday, December 22
All Benois – Everything Benois
- Until April 19, 12-9 pm (weekdays), 11-9 pm (weekends)
- Manege
- 400-800 rubles (200-400 rubles for students) – tickets here
The Manege’s new exhibition is an encyclopedia of Russian life as told through the fate and heritage of the Benois – one of the most influential creative dynasties in Russia. The exhibition offers a diversity of over 600 exhibits: from paintings and sculptures to historical costumes and belongings. In the spotlight is Alexandre Benois – a Russian artist, art critic, and historian – accompanied by his family members and other contemporaries, including renowned painters Ilya Repin and Ivan Aivazovsky.
Tuesday, December 23
Themed sessions at the ice rink
- Mon-Thu, 8:30-9:30 pm
- New Holland Island
- 400-500 rubles (200-500 rubles for students) – tickets here
Skating is great, but skating in a theme is even greater! Mondays to Thursdays, New Holland Island is hosting themed skating sessions on its lights-lit ice rink. This Tuesday, we skate to the best from the label Mexican Summer – bedroom pop, psychedelic rock, experimental folk, and many other genres. The skating playlist includes Connan Mockasin, Jessica Pratt, and Photay.
Wednesday, December 24
Russian Tradition
- Until March 9, 10 am - 8 pm (Mon, Wed, Thu), 10 am - 9 pm (Fri-Sun)
- Benois Wing (Russian Museum)
- 600 rubles (450 rubles for students) – tickets here
This exhibition explores the wealth of Russian art through an unparalleled collection of over 650 exhibits, drawing from the museum’s own collection and those of the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg) and the Burilin Ivanovo Museum of Local History (Ivanovo). These include world-famous paintings, rare works by craftsmen, and traditional and tradition-inspired clothing – all created between the 16th and the early 21st centuries.
