Russian Winter Festival: this festival was introduced to replace Christmas after the old Soviet Union banned the traditional Christian festival. Winter Festival begins in late December and runs into the first week of January. Festivities are quite similar to those of Christmas and include sleigh rides, music, dancing, traditional folk shows as well as the giving and receiving of gifts.

Russian Orthodox Christmas: Russia follows the Julian calendar and as such, the birth of Christ is celebrated on the 6th and 7th of January, with midnight mass held on the night of the 6th.

Day of the Defenders of the Fatherland: held in mid-February, this event pays tribute to all soldiers, past and present, who’ve given their services in protection of the country. Prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union, the day was known as Red Army Day or the Day of the Soviet Army and Navy. Various commemorative services are held at significant destinations around the city.

International Women's Day: held annually in early March, Russia celebrates the contribution women make to society on a day designated by the United Nations. Women are traditionally presented with gifts from family and friends who wish to show appreciation for their hard work and loyalties.

Pashka: otherwise known as Easter Sunday in the Christian calendar, Pashka is a major religious festival that is celebrated in St Petersburg as enthusiastically as anywhere in Russia. Expect services with chanting and incense in churches across the city.

Musical Spring in St Petersburg: an annual event that features classical music concerts with some of the country's finest musicians held at various venues around the city.

Victory Day: a day set aside to celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany and to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the struggle. Festivities take place in various locations and include military parades, dancing, singing and firework displays.

Russia Day: celebrated on June 12th, Russia Day has been a celebration of Russian independence since 1990, when the Russian parliament formally declared its sovereignty. This public holiday is a chance for family and friends to get together and reflect on the freedoms brought by the introduction of democracy to the country.

Byeliye Nochi: held from late June to mid-July, when the city experiences the phenomenon of 'white nights', when the sun stays high enough above the horizon for the nights to remain light. This is a time for the young to enjoy the extended hours of daylight and head for bars and evening entertainment venues.

Navy Day: Navy Day, also known as Den Voenno Morskova Flota, is generally held in late July and it sees a parade of brightly decorated boats travel along the River Neva to the delight of countless onlookers.

Prasdnik Fontanov: otherwise known as the Celebration of the Fountains at Peterhof, this annual festival involves a music, light and water show, held at the magnificent Peterhof Palace.

Theatre Festival of the Baltic Countries: this annual event sees actors, pantomime artists and clowns from the Baltic region gather for two weeks of showcasing their various talents.

Constitution Day: a public holiday in recognition of political reform, Constitution Day celebrates the adoption of the first Constitution of the Russian Federation. Firework displays can be seen around the city.