Moscow
An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow’s most romantic and entertaining options for a night on the town. The glittering six-tier auditorium has…
Must-see entertainment in Eastern Europe
St Petersburg
St Petersburg's most spectacular venue for ballet and opera, the Mariinsky Theatre is an attraction in its own right. Tickets can be bought online or in…
Taras Shevchenko National Opera Theatre
Kyiv
Performances at this lavish theatre (opened 1901) are grandiose affairs, but tickets are cheap. True disciples of Ukrainian culture should not miss a…
Novosibirsk
Weekends usually see live music performing at this grungy cabaret bar, while weekdays bring all manner of performing arts and other events ranging from…
Jūrmala
This legendary open-air concert hall (there is a roof, but no walls) dates back to 1897. Now modernised, there are two stages – one large and one small –…
Kaliningrad
Housed in a former German church about 3km from the city centre, Vagonka is one of the city's oldest and most popular venues for live rock, DJ parties and…
Novosibirsk
For classical culture don’t miss an evening at this gigantic silver-domed theatre. Built in 1945, it's the largest theatre in Russia – bigger even than…
Tomsk
Housed in a quaint log cabin near the WWII memorial (take ul Savinykh all the way down until you can go no further), this one-man, homey ‘robotic puppet’…
Central Rīga
Important and contemporary repertory theatre. Attracts big names like Mikhail Baryshnikov, who premiered his play White Helicopter here in 2019. Many…
Serbia
Reminiscent of Belgrade's ultra-cool KC Grad, this NGO-run, basement cafe-club organises all manner of alternative events from concerts, exhibitions and…
Ufa
It's worth venturing out of the centre of town for a night of soulful music, and Ufa Jazz Club delivers. Live-music performances include local jazz bands…
Old Rīga
Short organ concerts are held in the evening throughout the week, with lengthier performances on Friday nights. Buy tickets in advance in summer.
St Petersburg
This magnificent venue is just one part of an immaculate architectural ensemble designed by Carlo Rossi. The theatre’s interior oozes 19th-century…
Kyiv
Originally the Kyiv Merchants' Assembly headquarters, this beautiful building is now home to the national orchestra, plus many other musical treats.
Belgrade
A Savamala stalwart (it's been running since 2009), this wonderful warehouse space promotes local creativity with workshops, exhibitions, a restaurant…
St Petersburg
This illustrious stage delivers the Russian ballet or operatic experience, complete with multitiered theatre, frescoed ceiling and elaborate productions…
Moscow
Renowned performance artist Boris Yukhananov has revived this old theatre as Moscow's hottest venue for experimental performance and visual art. Dance,…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
One of the most talked-about theatres in Moscow is under constant political pressure due to the nonconformist position of its director Kirill…
Arbat & Khamovniki
This giant stadium (home to football club FC Torpedo) is the capital's largest, seating nearly 81,000 people. The stadium is part of the Luzhniki Olympic…
Tuva
The Tuvan National Orchestra has a large studio within the Centre for Tuvan Culture – between 10am and 2pm most weekdays tourists are welcome to sit in on…
Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory
Presnya
The country’s largest music school, named for Tchaikovsky of course, has two venues, both of which host concerts, recitals and competitions. The Great…
Presnya
Established in 1921, the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall is the main venue for the country's best orchestras and stellar international acts. It’s a huge…
Bucharest
Housed in a restored heritage building, Point is a three-floor cultural hub fostering contemporary arts through exhibitions, screenings, artist…
Moscow
This theatre company was founded in 1991 by then-mayor Luzhkov and artistic director Evgeny Kolobov. Maestro Kolobov stated, ‘We do not pretend to be…
Kyiv
Definitely check the website to see what's going on here, as they draw some really top-notch international music talent, especially jazz and blues. In the…
Presnya
MOST may seem like one of the younger theatres in Moscow, founded in 2000. However, it evolved from the student theatre (more than 200 years old) of the…
Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Bulvar
Moscow
Founded in 1880, this circus is now named after beloved actor and clown Yury Nikulin (1921–97), who performed at the studio here for many years. Nikulin’s…
Moscow
Often called the most influential theatre in Europe, this is where method acting was founded over 100 years ago, by Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko…
Kyiv
This industrial-style multistorey venue, complete with roof terrace, caters to all musical tastes – from techno to heavy metal – with a sprinkling of…
Bucharest
This is a favourite among club-goers who like alternative, turbo-folk, indie and garage sounds. Hosts both live acts and DJs, depending on the night.
Sofia
This trendy, art-house cinema does triple duty as a contemporary art gallery and a secluded, garden drinking spot.
Veliko Târnovo
Marvel as Veliko Târnovo's Tsarevets Fortress skyline is bathed in multicoloured light and lasers during the Sound & Light Show. This 40-minute…
Moscow International House of Music
Zamoskvorechie
This graceful, modern glass building has three halls, including Svetlanov Hall, which holds the largest organ in Russia. Needless to say, organ concerts…
Southern Estonia
Viljandi’s reputation as Estonia’s folk-music capital, resting on its annual festival, was cemented with the opening of this modern recital and cultural…
City Centre
The city’s biggest classical concerts, and indeed some of Estonia's most significant ceremonies and celebrations, are held in this double-barrelled venue,…
Old Town
Originating in Soviet times as the Estonian Youth Theatre, Tallinn's most beloved company performs on seven stages scattered around its main building on…
Kalamaja & Telliskivi
The art collective PADA's summer-only Kultuurikatla Aed is a great place to catch live music, DJs and other performances beneath trees strung with fairy…
Meshchansky & Basmanny
If you can’t stand to see another Swan Lake, you will be pleased to know that the New Ballet performs innovative contemporary dance. This performance art,…
Spartak Stadium (Otkrytie Arena)
Presnya
Home to professional football club FC Spartak, this bizarre-looking arena – easy to recognise by the Spartak red-and-white on the exterior – was built for…
Old Town
Set in a magnificent Soviet-era theatre (be sure to check out the reliefs on the facade), the Kino Sõprus ('friendship cinema') is Estonia's best art…
