But July in St. Petersburg doesn’t just mean the endless ‘White Night’ horizons of pale power-blue skies. It’s also a month when the city hosts an enticing and downright exciting roster of music events, many of them outdoor – just in case you didn’t already have enough motivation to get out there in the fresh air.
The variety of singers and groups playing the city in July is dizzying. There is practically everything on offer, from classic music concerts to jazz performances, rap battles and rock parties. Concerts of domestic and visiting bands grace wide range of venues, from small night clubs to famous concert halls like the Filharmonia and the Mariinsky Concert Hall.
But the real Summer action takes place in the City’s impressive line-up of open air festivals – simply the best way to spend your time outside. In July you can catch such events as Urban Culture Fest, an interactive event with two stages, food and tattoo-parlours – you can even get your haircut as you listen to your favorite band in the ‘barber zone.’ This is more than just your average music festival – it’s a deep dip into youth culture in a multi-dimensional city.
The city’s best known festival, Stereoleto (stereo summer) will take place for 15th time on 2-3rd June. This is an international music festival fusing together a broad selection of genres, including Icelandic art-rockers Sigur Ros, Canadian electronic experimentalists Crystal Castles, breaking local boys Short Paris and a bunch of DJs. More details here.
Russia’s most popular social network, Vkontakte, hosts its own festival, VK Fest, an event consisting of music performances, interactive shows, workshops.
Those who are more conservative can visit the Night of Music Festival in Gatchina so as to listen to classical music and admire the wonderful landmarks and landscapes. Finally, you can also take a bracing walk to Ostrovsky Square on July 1-3 to listen to jazz at a free open air festival, Petrojazz-2016. Festival`s organizers notes that there will be enough space for those who want not only listed to music, but also dance.
And for creative souls who not only listen to music, but also play instruments or sing, there are workshops and lectures by famous musicians organized by large music stores and art centers like ZonaZzvuka, Muztorg, Music Land, Loft Project Etagi. There you can also meet with music stars at autograph-sessions.
When you’re out late at concerts, think about bridges. St. Petersburg’s stunning, stately bridges look dazzling in their raised open positions – but it’s a hassle if you want to get home and don’t live in the centre. Just pay attention to the timings and remember that there is always a fail-safe: Vantovy bridge is always open, though it can take a while and taxi drivers always want to charge a fortune.
To book tickets online locals usually use bileter.ru and kassir.ru, the main Russian services and online cultural guides. While both of them have no English versions, you can usually bluff your way through – put your required venue, orchestra or act in the search window and then hit the button that says ‘kupit’ or ‘bilety.’ The other option is to enlist a Russian friend to help. The services don’t take foreign credit cards, so you may have to ask a very *good* and trusting Russian friend, who can also buy them and be reimbursed.
So, the only thing left to do is to actually get out there and start enjoying the rich and wide-ranging musical smorgasbord that St. Petersburg has to offer. And there is one thing that we can absolutely guarantee: no matter what happens, you’re going to have a whole heap of fun.