Top Russian Festivals in Summer 2019
Visiting Russia can be much more than just seeing the main attractions. One of the biggest trends in the tourism industry right now is experiential travel. It means that the trip is more about adventures that are created by truly local and authentic experiences. Summertime that brings sun and smiles to Russia can be absolutely perfect for that. We believe that one of the best ways to get close to the Russian culture and Russians themselves is to visit a musical festival. ExploRussia suggests you the list of the top summer festivals in Russia that are coming this year.
You may be into rock, folk or simply be a music lover, in Russia, you can find an event which addresses your interests.
Afisha Picnic
August 3, Moscow
The annual open-air summer festival is one of the biggest events in Moscow. It exists for 15 years already and keeps attracting the interest of over 60 thousand young Muscovites. The main organizer of the event Afisha magazine is one of the main hipster voices in Russia.
The best and the most interesting Russian musicians performed at this festival. Afisha Picnic is also proud of the good list of international musicians it had through years – Kasabian, Blur, Suede, The Chemical Brothers, Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand, Mika, MGMT to name a few. The headliner of this year will be an English rock band The Cure. Visit the official site to see how it was last year.
Wild Mint (Dikaya Myata)
June 29-30, Bunyrevo in the Tula Region
The festival has started in 2008 as a one-day ethnic event in Moscow. Ten years later it turned into the big 3-day open-air summer festival event with over 70 musical bands from 10 countries. This year you will have a chance to see some of the most interesting Russian artists of various genres. Among them are popular rock group Mumiy Troll, one of the main rappers Basta, alternative singer Dolphin and a huge modern-day phenomenon an authentic singer Monetochka. (can be translated as a ‘Penny girl’)
Park Live
Moscow, July 12-14
Park Live promises to become the largest musical event in Moscow. This summer festival is able to attract not only well-known Russian groups but also the international ones. Before the unfortunate death of Keith Flint, The Prodigy was one of the announced bands. Now the list includes Thirty Seconds to Mars, Ran’n’Bone Man, Die Antwoord. Earlier the headliners were Limp Bizkit and The Killers.
If not the impressive list of artists then the location must convince you to come. Gorky Park is one of the must-see places in Moscow. In 2011 the oldest park of leisure and culture became the main spot for young and progressive Muscovites. If you would like to see a different face of Russia, this is definitely a place to visit.
StereoLeto
July 6-7, Saint Petersburg
StereoLeto claims that after 17 years of successful work it already became one the symbols of Saint Petersburg. It may not be mentioned in tour guide books but one prominent Russian magazine proclaimed it as the most important and interesting event in Saint Petersburg. The festival had a number of very impressive artists, such as Franz Ferdinand, Milky Chance, Massive Attack, Sigur Ros. At the same time, it is also eager to open new names to the public. This year you can expect many new Russian musicians. The most famous and interesting to see is an experimental electronic band from Moscow IC3Peak.
Nashestvie
July 19-21 Zavidovo, Tverskoj region
The largest open-air summer festival in Russia that already became a legend. Around 200 000 visitors annually come from all over Russia in order to listen to Russian rock. Nashestvie, which literally means “invasion” in Russian, is organized by Nashe radio station since 1999. Nashestvie is a true encyclopedia of the Russian rock music. The list includes groups that were pioneers of rock music in Russia, such as Aquarium and DDT, big names for the last 15 years – Bi 2 and Mumiy Trol, and various new bands.
This text was written by our local guide Tanya Neyman. Tanya is passionate about Moscow! Tour the city with her during your travel to Moscow.