Just a couple of weeks is left till New Year and the city is all festive and fairy-tale like. However, 2018 has one more amazing winter event in store, without which the transformation is incomplete. This Friday, December 21, the annual Ice Fantasy Festival of ice sculptures will be launched in the Peter and Paul Fortress.
More than 30 renowned artists from Russia, Belgium, France, Germany and other countries will demonstrate their works inspired by this year’s theme “Around the World”. Admire Australia’s most extraordinary marine life, make your way through a dangerous jungle somewhere in South America, see ancient Egyptian pyramids and pharaohs’ statues, as well as reindeer, anacondas, penguins, the Scarlet Sails ship, and even the Statue of Liberty, all carved in ice! The exhibition will be open every day from 10am to 10pm till February 3. Tickets cost 370-470 rubles and can be purchased right at the entrance.
If you think that there’s enough ice in your life for now and you’d rather enjoy the heat and the greenery, check out the Rainbow Sparkles Exhibition at the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden. Dozens of orchid varieties will be on display from December 22 till January 13 demonstrated in the Big Palm Greenhouse where you can immerse yourself in a tropical paradise right in the middle of winter. The exhibition is open from 11am till 5pm. Tickets cost 400 rubles and 300 rubles for students.
This is the last weekend before European Christmas, meaning that now is the best time to listen to magical organ music. This Saturday, December 22, the Lutheran Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (Petrikirche) will host an organ concert by the Amadeus Concerts Orchestra. This is a great chance to familiarize yourself with European musical tradition and feel the Christmas vibe. The show kicks off at 3pm. Tickets cost 1400-1600 rubles and can be purchased here.
If watching a good movie is your idea of spending quality time, then Lumiere Hall is a perfect place for you. This is a creative space that organizes multimedia exhibitions and night screenings of popular Hollywood movies every Friday and Saturday. This Saturday, December 22, they will screen the legendary Hobbit Trilogy. Plop down on a bean bag chair and enjoy your journey to Middle-Earth that starts at 11:55 in the evening! Tickets cost 400-600 rubles and can be bought here.
And the last but not least! Don’t miss the Christmas Charity Market held this weekend in one of the most peculiar places in St. Petersburg, the Lutheran Annenkirche church. Aromatic candles, fancy Christmas tree decorations, exquisite ceramics, Christmas cards, ginger cookies, and lots of other hand-made goods and crafts are waiting for you along with songs, dances, and games. The fair will be open from midday to 8pm on December 20-23. Admission is free. Check out our article to learn more about other exciting winter fairs taking place in St. Pete this year.
Enjoy your weekend!
