Russia is one of the largest countries in the world, visited by millions of tourists every year. Due to the high popularity of the Russia tour, many tourists travel to this beautiful and historic country. There are many reasons behind the popularity of the Russia tour in the world. A large number of tourist destinations in this country is one of the reasons. Russia has at least three major tourist cities, hosting tens of millions of tourists throughout the year. These three major cities are Moscow, the capital of Russia; St. Petersburg, the former capital of the Russian Empire and the cultural capital of Russia; and Sochi, the first major resort city in Russia, each with unique advantages and privileges to attract this number of tourists throughout the year. Another reason for the popularity of the Russia tour is the large number of tourist attractions in each of these tourist destinations. It may take more than a month to visit the tourist attractions and places of interest and use these tourist destinations' recreational and tourism facilities. St. Petersburg alone can keep tourists entertained for weeks, and there may still not be enough time to visit the many tourist attractions and places of interest in this beautiful city. Leisure facilities, modern and quality hotels, international and famous restaurants in tourist destinations and the excellent and first-class services by Russia tour operators are other reasons for the popularity of Russia tours among tourists worldwide. One of the essential parts of the Russia tour, which may not get enough attention from tourists, but can double the quality of travel to Russia, is the festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year in Russia.
Russia Tour Festivals
One of the things recommended to tourists by Russian tour operators and travel agencies is to pay attention to the importance of festivals on tour to Russia. Although festivals and celebrations held throughout the year in Russia are not part of the main program of the Russia tour, travel agencies and Russian tour operators often recommend them due to the high quality of entertainment in most of these festivals, which is why they try to make tourists aware of the festivals that are held in different cities of Russia. Famous festivals and celebrations on tour to Russia are usually held to celebrate Russian culture, history, art, and people. That will help tourists to understand the history and culture of Russia better. Many traditional Russian cultural and artistic programs are also more easily accessible during various festivals. Tourists can usually enjoy these spectacular programs for free, such as traditional Russian dances or open-air concerts using folklore instruments from different regions of Russia. Although there are many festivals in Russia, we will introduce some of the best and most significant Russian festivals that attract the world's attention. To do that, we must start with one of the most famous Russian festivals at the top of the list, St. Petersburg's White Nights Festival.
White Nights Festival
The White Night Festival is one of the most famous Russian festivals held in the northern cities of Russia, specifically St. Petersburg. White Nights is a phenomenon in which the sunset time gradually recedes from April 21st to August 21st, so much so that at some points, the St. Petersburg sky remains bright, and the sun never sets fully. Many people from all over the world travel to St. Petersburg during this time to celebrate this exciting phenomenon with the people of St. Petersburg. Some celebrations during these nights continue until near morning. The peak of this phenomenon occurs in August when most White Nights Festival programs take place. During the White Nights Festival, the streets of St. Petersburg, especially Nevsky Prospect, the city's most famous and busiest street, are always crowded until the dawn. People continue celebrating in St. Petersburg various restaurants, cafes, and bars. Many museums in St. Petersburg also increase their opening hours to provide more opportunities to visit St. Petersburg's art, cultural, and historical museums for tourists. On one of the nights of the festival, also known as Museum Night, many museums in St. Petersburg continue to receive tourists until the dawn. Artistic and cultural programs such as music, theater, dance, and other events are also held during the festival, which also helps to improve the quality of travel to St. Petersburg. The end of the White Nights celebration also coincides with the celebration of the end of the St. Petersburg school year, in which one of the most famous White Nights festival programs, the Scarlet Sails, takes place. During the celebration, which is attended by nearly three million St. Petersburg residents and students, and foreign tourists each year, the famous Scarlet Sails boat began its journey from Neva River to the Gulf of Finland. That event, co-occurred by one of the largest fireworks displays in St. Petersburg. You can visit our blog for more information about the White Nights Festival.
Maslenitsa Festival
Another of Russia's favorite festivals at the beginning of spring is the Maslenitsa Festival, also known as the Seeing off Winter Festival. Maslenitsa Festival is one of the most delicious Russian festivals that tourists enjoy during their travel to Russia in late winter or early spring. This fantastic festival, also known as the Pancake Festival, is an ethnic and religious festival held mainly through Slavic peoples and members of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The purpose of this celebration is to say goodbye to winter in its last week and to prepare for the beginning of the great fast (forty days of fasting) of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The large festival, which is held in most of Russia's tourist destinations, features the largest exhibition of Russian pancakes with various flavors, visiting relatives, sledding on snow, fireworks, making snow castles, the display of ice and snow sculptures, putting on traditional costumes, and regional instruments and songs. Tourists who want to participate in this grand celebration can also visit the Russian winter festivals, which we will introduce in the following. Although the Maslenitsa Festival is not one of the highlights of the tour to Russia, it still attracts many tourists.
Wild Mint Festival
The Wild Mint Festival is another major Russian festival held at the Etnomir Complex. Etnomir is a tremendous cultural, tourism, and hotel accommodation complex that is an excellent place to get acquainted with different ethnic groups of Russia and Europe. The Etnomir complex is also a perfect place for tourists who want to experience a different trip to Moscow. The Wild Mint Festival is one of the largest music festivals in Russia and one of the most famous music festivals in the world held annually in Russia at the beginning of summer. This international festival is an excellent place for tourists on the Russia tour to get acquainted with world music, Russian traditional and folklore music, various folk instruments of different Russian ethnic groups. They can also enjoy the music performances of great international and Russian artists, alongside some of the young promising Russian artists. Like other world-famous music festivals, visitors can spend the nights using their tents or renting a tent to stay at the festival site. Of course, we should note that the Etnomir is a large ethnic and tourist complex with many amenities such as modern and attractive hotels with traditional format and accommodation, which is also available for the Wild Mint Festival visitors. There are also about forty restaurants and cafes in the Etnomir complex, ready to receive tourists and temporary restaurants and cafes for the festival. You can visit our blog for more information about the Etnomir tourism complex.
Russia Winter Festival
Although the spring and summer festivals on tour to Russia attract more attention than other Russian tour festivals, tourists should not miss the Russian Winter Festivals. Usually, because tourist cities, especially in St. Petersburg and Moscow, enjoy better weather during the summer, most tourists prefer to visit these cities on a summer tour to Russia. However, one thing that can attract tourists to the winter of Russia is the Russian winter festivals. Russian winter festivities are a series of celebrations and festivals related to the New Year and Christmas celebrations that last from mid-December to mid-January. There are many things to do at Russian Winter Festivals. People who visit Russia, especially those who travel to Moscow, have the opportunity to see some of the most fantastic Christmas markets in Russia, which is accompanied by various food festivals. Another highlight of the Russian Winter Festivals is the traditional dresses and folk music of different ethnic groups of Russia, each of which is interesting in its unique way. The New Year Celebration in Moscow is one of the most famous ones in which many people from around the world come to Moscow and visit Red Square on New Year's Eve to celebrate another successful year. Russian Christmas celebration comes after the New Year, another famous festival that you don't want to miss during your travel to Russia. Another highlight of the Russian Winter Festivals is using multiple entertainment and recreation sources, such as sledding with horses, huskies, or even reindeers. Russian Winter Festival is only part of the reason why you shouldn't miss Russia in winter. You can learn more about the Russian Winter Festival and the advantages of traveling to Russia in winter on our weblog.
