Summer is the best time for travel and adventure. And we know how to make it even more interesting: we offer to go to concerts of your favorite performers, take part in a historical reconstruction, or watch a movie under the starry sky. All this is possible at one of the summer festivals. We are talking about ten of the largest events that will take place in different cities of Russia.
STEREOLETO
When: June 10–11
Where: St. Petersburg, Sevkabel Port.
How to get there: choose a convenient way – by plane, train or personal car. Flights from Moscow to St. Petersburg and back in June cost from 8,000 rubles*, the flight takes 1 hour 30 minutes. You can get there by train in 3 hours 40 minutes; a one-way ticket on the Sapsan high-speed train costs from 5,000 rubles*. By car you will spend 7 hours 30 minutes.
Where to stay:
- Three-star hotel Gold Inn ACADEMIA (rating 9.3 out of 10). Room price from 6,900 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel ACQUALINA (rating 9.9 out of 10). Room price from 15,300 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel ARTSTUDIO Nevsky (score 9.0 out of 10). Room price from 19,800 rubles* for two.
This is one of the oldest music festivals in the Northern capital, it has been held since 2002. They say this is a purely St. Petersburg event – charismatic, romantic, original. Here they do not focus exclusively on top and box office artists, but pay attention to new names and fresh sounds.
This year the festival will have three stages where more than 40 performers will perform. The headliners are Lev Leshchenko, Basta and Zoloto.
“Insomnia”
When: June 13–17
Where: Kaluga region, Yukhnovsky district, near the village of Relyaki.
How to get there: you can get to “Bessonnitsa” by festival buses from Moscow and Kaluga, by private car (don’t forget to buy a ticket for parking) and by public transport (to Yukhnov, and from there by taxi). Entrance to the territory from the Varshavskoe highway, turn left after the village of Rylyaki (after mark 221 km of the Varshavskoe highway).
Where to stay:
Usually guests live in tents right where the festival takes place. But if you want a little more comfort, you can choose one of these hotels nearby:
- Hotel in Yukhnov Iceberg Ugry Hotel (rating 8.4 out of 10). Room price from 2,300 rubles* for two.
- Recreation center “Kukushka” near Kaluga (score 9.2 out of 10). Room price from 3,500 rubles* for two.
- Glamping “Nikolskie Rosy” (rating 8.8 out of 10). Room price from 7,600 rubles* for two.
The largest festival of animated films in Russia, which is held outdoors. The best original projects are shown at night; for this purpose, huge screens are installed in nature under the summer stars. During the day, there are musical and educational programs, as well as performances, installations and even a carnival. Guests call this event very cozy and family-friendly – even though thousands of spectators come to Insomnia every year.
“Wild Mint”
When: June 16–18
Where: Tula region, Aleksinsky district, Bunyrevo village.
How to get there: by private car, train or bus. In addition, the festival has an official transfer from Moscow (2,000 rubles* for a round-trip ticket) or Tarusa (350 rubles*). If you choose public transport, the most convenient and profitable way is to take the train to Tarusa, and then take a transfer that will take you directly to the place.
Where to stay:
Usually guests live in tents right where the festival takes place. But if you want a little more comfort, you can choose one of these hotels nearby:
- Hotel in Tarusa “Second Wind” (rating 8.0 out of 10). Room price from 6,000 rubles* for two.
- Hotel in Tarusa Gallery Art Hotel (rating 8.5 out of 10). Room price from 6,300 rubles* for two.
- Recreation center in Velegozh Priokskie Zori Country House (score 9.4 out of 10). Room price from 9,000 rubles* for two.
One of the largest summer independent open airs in Russia. Guests can expect three days of concerts, as well as sports grounds, a Green Age program for those who choose a healthy lifestyle (yoga, meditation, massage and healing), and a unique beauty zone (right at the festival you can braid your hair with dreadlocks or braids, tattoo or unusual makeup). Special programs are also prepared for visitors with children.
Leonid Agutin was announced as the headliner of “Wild Mint” in 2023. The Hatters, Lumen, Neuromonk Feofan, Jane Air, Zatochka, Nike Borzov and many others will also perform.
Moscow Jazz Festival
When: June 19–25
Where: Moscow
How to get there: by plane, train or bus, as well as by personal car. Choose a method that is more convenient for you.
Where to stay:
- Three-star hotel PEOPLE Red Square (rating 8.9 out of 10). Room price from 4,500 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel “Park Inn by Radisson Garden” (rating 9.3 out of 10). Room price from 6,800 rubles* for two.
- Five-star hotel “Peter I” (rating 9.7 out of 10). Room price from 8,900 rubles* for two.
The largest jazz festival in Russia is taking place for the second year. This time there will be five concert venues: in the Zaryadye park and hall, VDNKh, the Hermitage garden, the Muzeon art park and on the square near the Central Department Store. In some of them, performances will be free. VDNKh will host a lecture, as well as music master classes and creative meetings.
The headliners of the festival in 2023 will be the Moscow Jazz Orchestra of Igor Butman and opera singer Ildar Abdrazakov. In addition, Larisa Dolina, Polina Gagarina, Valery Syutkin and many others will perform.
Ural Music Night
When: June 23.
Where: Ekaterinburg.
How to get there: by plane from Moscow. A round trip ticket will cost from 7,500 rubles*, the journey takes 2 hours 20 minutes.
Where to stay:
- Marins Park Hotel Ekaterinburg (rating 9.3 out of 10). Room price from 2,800 rubles* for two.
- Hotel “Onegin” (rating 9.9 out of 10). Room price from 5,800 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel Hyatt Place Yekaterinburg (rating 9.2 out of 10). Room price from 8,200 rubles* for two.
It is believed that this is the best night to fall in love with Yekaterinburg. From Friday to Saturday, dozens of concerts will be held in the city center – in clubs, parks, squares and cozy cafes. Musical genres are very different: rock, hip-hop, jazz, funk… Last year, 3,000 artists performed, and 360 thousand people came to listen to them.
In 2023, the headliners will be Valery Syutkin, Vadim Samoilov, the group “Chicherina” and the collective “Zveroboy”.
“Epic Shore”
When: July 21–23
Where: Tver region, Kimry district, bank of the Volga river near the village of Toporok.
How to get there: the most convenient way to get from Moscow to Kimry is by train from Savyolovsky station to Savyolovo station. The journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes. From there, free buses will run every hour to the festival site, timed with trains. You can also get there by car, the journey will take almost 3 hours.
Where to stay:
Usually festival guests live in tents right where it takes place. But if you want a little more comfort, choose one of these hotels nearby:
- Park Hotel in Dubna Park Hotel (rating 8.5 out of 10). Room price from 4,900 rubles* for two.
- Eco-hotel “Lepota” (rating 8.7 out of 10). Room price from 8,100 rubles* for two.
- Four-star Forde Wind Absolute Result Hotel (rating 8.9 out of 10). Room price from 8,600 rubles* for two.
Festival of historical reconstruction with a musical program. It is dedicated to the culture and traditions of Ancient Rus’, and for a couple of days guests will be able to immerse themselves in that era, see beautifully reconstructed fights and even take part in a massive battle of squads. In addition, a medieval fair and various thematic workshops are expected.
This year such groups as “Aria”, “Melnitsa”, “Northern Fleet”, “Kalinov Bridge”, Drummatix, “Neuromonk Feofan”, “Troll Bends Spruce”, “Neuromonk Feofan”, “Troll Bends the Spruce”, “ Skolot”, “Kalevala”, “Svarga”, Alkonost, Helvegen and “Free Path”.
“Archstoyanie”
When: July 28–30
Where: Kaluga region, Nikola-Lenivets art park
How to get there: A transfer from Moscow to Nikola-Lenivets and back is organized for guests. The journey takes 4 hours, a one-way ticket costs 1,000 rubles*. You can get there on your own: by car (220 km from Moscow, keep in mind that there are two bad sections of the road along the way) or by train (to Obninsk, Maloyaroslavets or Kaluga), and then by taxi.
Where to stay:
Usually festival guests stay in hotels in the park or put up tents in a special parking area. But there are other options:
- Four-star hotel Best Western Kaluga (rating 9.9 out of 10). Room price from 3,800 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel Hilton Garden Inn Kaluga (score 10 out of 10). Room price from 4,400 rubles* for two.
- Five-star hotel Four Points by Sheraton Kaluga (score 10 out of 10). Room price from 6,400 rubles* for two.
The main Russian festival of land art and landscape objects. For him, architects, artists and urbanists create art objects, mainly from natural materials. The theme for 2023 is “The Game of Predictions.”
This year, at Archstoyanie, a program of institutional camps will be presented for the first time: the most famous art institutions of the country will become co-authors of the festival, presenting their projects. The full program has not yet been revealed, but we can say for sure that this will be a very unusual weekend.
“INVASION”
When: August 4–6
Where: Kaluga region, near the village of Mityaevo.
How to get there: by train from Kievsky station towards Kaluga to Balabanovo station. A transfer will be waiting for festival guests there. Or you can go by car: 91 km along the Kievskoe highway, then turn onto the A-108 highway and follow the signs to the village of Mityaevo.
Where to stay:
Usually festival guests live in tents in the park. But there are other options:
- Three-star Greenway Park Hotel in Obninsk (score 9.0 out of 10). Room price from 4,600 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel “Triumph” in Obninsk (rating 8.4 out of 10). Room price from 5,600 rubles* for two.
- Hotel “Caravan” (rating 9.2 out of 10). Room price from 8,100 rubles* for two.
One of the largest Russian rock festivals was last held in pre-pandemic 2019 – and is finally returning. True, the venue has changed: instead of the Tver region, it will take place near Kaluga. The participants remained the same. The headliner of 2023 is the group “Alice”, the Hatters, “Chaif”, “Aria”, “Animation”, “Crematorium”, “Zhuki” and many others will also perform.
In addition to concerts, the festival program includes film screenings, theatrical performances, as well as historical reconstruction, various sports and gaming activities, and even events for children.
“Anton is here”
When: August 23
Where: St. Petersburg, Sevkabel Port.
How to get there: by plane, train or car. Flights from Moscow to St. Petersburg and back cost from 15,000 rubles*, the flight takes 1 hour 30 minutes. You can get there by train in 3 hours 40 minutes; the price of a one-way ticket on the Sapsan high-speed train starts from 5,000 rubles*. If you go by car, you will spend 7 hours 30 minutes on the road.
Where to stay:
- Four-star hotel ARTSTUDIO Nevsky (score 9.0 out of 10). Room price from 4,700 rubles* for two.
- Four-star hotel ACQUALINA (rating 9.9 out of 10). Room price from 7,800 rubles* for two.
- Five-star hotel “Belmond Grand Hotel Europe” (score 10 out of 10). Room price from 18,000 rubles* for two.
The Anton Is Here Charitable Foundation was created to support people with autism: from early diagnosis and inclusive education to supported employment and independent living in society.
For the second year in a row, the foundation holds a charity music festival. Last year, SBPCH, Manizha, Yuri Shevchuk, Motorama, Ivan Vyrypaev, Sirotkin, Suzanna, AIGEL, Antokha MC and many others performed there. The list of artists for this year has not yet been fully approved; it will be available closer to the date on the official website. Two music stages, a market, a lecture hall, cafes and bars overlooking the Gulf of Finland are expected.
VK Fest
When: June 17 in Vladivostok, June 24 in Novosibirsk, July 1–2 in St. Petersburg, July 8 in Sochi, 15– July 16 in Moscow
How to get there: There are direct flights from the capital to all cities where the festival will be held. For example, tickets from Moscow to Vladivostok and back will cost from 25,000 rubles*, the journey takes 8 hours 15 minutes. You can fly from Moscow to Novosibirsk and back for 13,000 rubles* and 4 hours. From Moscow to St. Petersburg – for 7,000 rubles* and 1 hour 30 rubles. From Moscow to Sochi – for 19,000 rubles* and 3 hours 50 minutes.
Where to stay:
- Vladivostok: three-star hotel “Primorye” (rating 8.9 out of 10). Room price from 3,600 rubles* for two.
- Novosibirsk: three-star hotel “Hotels net” (rating 8.9 out of 10). Room price from 3,200 rubles* for two.
- St. Petersburg: three-star hotel “Ibis St. Petersburg Center” (score 9.5 out of 10). Room price from 5,300 rubles* for two.
- Sochi: three-star hotel Grand Way One (score 9.0 out of 10). Room price from 7,200 rubles* for two.
- Moscow: three-star hotel “Old Town” (score 9.0 out of 10). Room price from 4,500 rubles* for two.
One of the most popular open airs in Russia has existed for eight years. This time VK Fest will be held in five cities at once. Last year, the event was attended by 175 thousand people, and the festival was watched online by more than 23 million viewers from all over the world.
The list of artists is impressive. For example, in Moscow, in Gorky Park, Eldzhey, GAYAZOV$ BROTHER$, L’One, IVANUSHKI International, Zivert, Yolka, Klava Koka, Husky, Antokha will perform on three stages (mainstream, rap and alternative, indie music) MS and many others. In addition, guests will find themed areas where they can meet bloggers, listen to lectures, participate in round tables, sports activities and family entertainment.
*Prices are current at the time of publication.
To rent a hotel room, use the travel planning service OneTwoTrip.
