{"id":1271,"date":"2019-04-07T10:51:04","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T10:51:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/?p=1271"},"modified":"2024-01-06T12:31:22","modified_gmt":"2024-01-06T12:31:22","slug":"white-nights-st-petersburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/russiable.com\/white-nights-st-petersburg\/","title":{"rendered":"White Nights of St. Petersburg: When the city doesn\u2019t sleep"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

One of the best times to visit St. Petersburg is during the White Nights season, when the sun never sets and the city is alive 24 hours a day with festivals, activities, concerts and longer opening hours for museums, restaurants and shops. In this article I\u2019ll explain about White Nights and what are the main events taking place in St. Petersburg during this period.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Scarlet<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

0. WHITE NIGHTS of St. Petersburg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What are White Nights and when do they occur?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

St. Petersburg is a city that is well known for its White Nights<\/strong> or in Russian, Beliye Nochi<\/em>, an atmospheric phenomenon that occurs from the end of May to mid-July. During this period the sun never fully sets and the sky stays bright throughout the night with a light similar to the light of sunset (midnight sun).<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Sankt<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s not a phenomenon unique to St. Petersburg<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people believe that it is a phenomenon that occurs only in St. Petersburg, but the truth is that it is a phenomenon that is typical of the regions near the Arctic Circle, where there are other smaller cities in which this phenomenon is more spectacular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White Nights can be experienced in many other cities in Russia, Sweden, Norway or Finland. However, it could be said that St. Petersburg has “appropriated” this phenomenon, being the city closest to the Arctic Circle. With its population of more than one million, this is where it is most enthusiastically celebrated, with different activities, events and festivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a time for celebrations and festivals. Don\u2019t stop the party!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

White Nights of St. Petersburg have become a real attraction of the city and represent the beginning of a very festive period in the city, not only because they coincide with the St. Petersburg\u2019s major public holiday (May 27), but also for many other reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During this period people stroll along the streets at night, given the existing atmosphere, especially on weekends. Tourists take the opportunity to watch the city\u2019s drawbridges being raised by taking boat cruises on the Neva River starting from 1:00 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also the time of the White Nights Festival at the Mariinsky Theater<\/a>, with opera, ballet and classical music shows. There are also folklore shows, ballet and open-air opera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the arrival of the summer solstice, comes the Scarlet Sails Festival, which can bring together more than 1 million people. The Peterhof Fountains<\/a> are also officially opened and the museums extend their opening hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule of events for White Nights of St. Petersburg. Where to view it?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

To get information about the schedule of events for White Nights of St. Petersburg, it is best to check the official website of events of the St. Petersburg Committee for Culture:  https:\/\/billboard.spb.ru\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also check the schedule of events 2019 in PDF format<\/a> (174 Mb). The city’s official tourism website also publishes information on events in the city: http:\/\/www.visit-petersburg.ru\/en\/event\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Events<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
\n
\"Events<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Public holidays in St. Petersburg during the White Nights season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the schedule of events, bear in mind that during this period there are 3 public holidays in the city:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Victory Day: May 9<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Although the White Nights season begins most actively towards the end of May, it is worth mentioning the Victory Day holiday, that is, the celebration of the victory of the Soviet Union and the Allies over Nazi Germany<\/strong> on May 9, 1945 in World War II, or the Great Patriotic War, as it was called in the Soviet Union. In St. Petersburg it is celebrated with a military parade in the Palace Square, the same way it is celebrated in Moscow\u2019s Red Square<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Petersburg\u2019s Biggest Holiday: May 27<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The city\u2019s biggest holiday is celebrated every year on May 27, the day in 1703 when Peter the Great laid the first stone of the Peter and Paul Fortress<\/a>, the historic heart of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russia Day: June 12<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Russia Day falls on June 12 every year, on what would become the Day of Russian Independence<\/strong>, which occurred on June 12, 1990. It is a new holiday and in St. Petersburg you will find great excitement with street concerts, sports competitions, opening of exhibitions as well as fireworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior Tips for enjoying White Nights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n