Fun on a budget

Music festivals don’t have to be heavy on your wallet. There are quite a few festivals that are either completely free or relatively affordable – and the genres of these are as diverse and exciting as it gets. Here are some of the events to look forward to this summer:

• Etoetno (This is Ethno) (June 27-28, Sevkabel Port) – an annual two-day festival that features a great lineup of contemporary Russian folk musicians. Entry is free. 

• Summer Music Park (July 10-25, Botanical Garden) – two weeks featuring 10+ concerts by classical music stars in the heart of the Botanical Garden. Tickets start from 550 rubles.

• Leningradskie Mosty (Leningrad Bridges) (August 14-16, Malo-Konyushennyy Bridge, Flour Bridge, and Bank Bridge) – arguably the world’s only music festival held on bridges; the concert lineup features the best in indie rock, pop, jazz, and many other genres. Entry is free. 

• Anton Tut Ryadom (Anton Is Here) (August 26, Sevkabel Port) – a charity concert that brings people together to enjoy great music outdoors and help people with autism. Tickets start from 2,000 rubles.

Not a music festival per se, but Petshop Days (June 27-28, Primorsky Victory Park) is a fun-packed pet- and music-friendly festival that offers a range of activities: a market, sports grounds, art exhibitions, concerts, and much more.

Hottest hits

When it comes to the full festival experience, St. Petersburg is home to many storied events that draw large crowds and bring in major artists. In addition to music, these festivals typically host a great deal of other activities – from lecture and entertainment zones to meetups with celebrities and influencers and a separate food court. Among St. Pete’s notable giants are:

• STEREOLETO (June 13-14, Sevkabel Port) – a seaside music festival that stays on top of viral musicians and strives to put new names on the charts. Apart from St. Petersburg, the festival is also held in Yekaterinburg and Samara. Tickets start from 4,500 rubles. 

• Gamma (July 3-6, Kuryokhin Center and others) – the festival of electronic music in St. Petersburg, which also celebrates its 10th anniversary this year; the program promises international musicians, media art installations, science art performances, and more. Tickets start from 4,300 rubles.

• VK Fest (July 4-5, 300th Anniversary Park) – a major music and entertainment festival by VK. It combines a viral lineup of artists, plus everything you can think of and more – from video game and sports sessions to talks by influencers and workshops. You can also visit the festival in Moscow, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod. Tickets start from 4,400 rubles. 

• Open the Windows! (July 25, 300th Anniversary Park) – a rock festival with 25 years of history and a lineup full of classic and contemporary rock. Tickets start from 3,000 rubles.

• Afisha Picnic (August 8, Yelagin Island) – another musical and not-only giant held in St. Petersburg and Moscow with areas for dance, entertainment, shopping, and more. Tickets start from 4,000 rubles.

ITMO

ITMO has its own big summer bash – and it’s ITMO Family Day. The coming festival will take place on July 11 in the 300th Anniversary Park and welcome all members of ITMO Family – from students and graduates to employees and even applicants. The event is completely free and will feature an action-packed program for the whole family to enjoy – a traditional graduation ceremony, “couch lectures,” partner stands, sports hubs, science and arts workshops, and a concert by a secret headliner. 

Looking for more summer ideas? Follow our weekly to-dos to make the most of your summer in St. Petersburg.