Best of St. Petersburg, Festivals, Places of a Lifetime, Travel, Photography

Expert recommendations of the top events—with tips on how to best experience these celebrations.

Arts Square International Winter Festival
Late December to early January. Under the auspices of the Philharmonia and its Artistic Director Yury Temirkanov the festival has about eleven events, primarily concerts by the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra; international guest soloists; ballet evenings; receptions and a New Year’s Eve ball in Yusupov Palace. Tel. +7-812-710-4126. www.artsquarewinterfest.ru

International Early Music Festival
Late September to early October. “One of the five leading early music festivals.”—Olesya Zinovenko, author, Where St. Petersburg. With the participation of all the city’s major music institutions and using the palaces of Pavlovsk and Peterhof the event celebrates early European music from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and Baroque periods; performances by leading orchestras and musicians; tel. +7-812-325-7052. www.kadmusarts.com/festivals/2021.html

International Ballet Festival
March or April annually. Renowned dancers from the Mariinsky Ballet Company, Opera de Paris, and other international companies. Performances in Mariinsky Theater and its new concert hall; tel. +7 812 326 4141. www.mariinsky.ru/en

International Jazz Festival
March or April. A feast of international jazz organized by the JFC Jazz Club; tel. +7-812-272-9850. www.jfc.sp.ru

International Stars of the White Nights Festival
May-July. Organized by the Mariinsky Theater and its artistic director Valery Gergiev; performances and concerts throughout the summer held at the Mariinsky Theater, Conservatoire and Hermitage Theater; major international stars and orchestras; vibrant, inspired atmosphere; tel. +7-812-326-4141.

International Conservatoire Week
September or October. The festival acquaints audiences with the new stars of the conservatories from Russia, Europe, Asia, and the U.S.; concerts by young, talented musicians; wide range of music from baroque to jazz, musical premieres, open lectures, and master classes.