St Petersburg
The BDT, which will celebrate its centenary in 2019, has a reputable repertoire and is a good place to see Russian drama. Recently renovated, it is one of…
Must-see entertainment in Russia
St Petersburg
Named after the island on which it stands, this huge arena seats 68,000 spectators at sporting events, and up to 80,000 at concerts. All eyes will be on…
Vladivostok
Zabriskie is Vladivostok’s main rock and jazz club, drawing an older crowd to view live music acts. It doubles as a nightclub with dancing after…
Kaliningrad
The varied repertoire here features musical theatre, modern dance, ballet, classical music and children's performances. Check the website to see if…
St Petersburg
This huge arena is the home stadium for the city's top ice hockey team SKA and is also used for major pop concerts by local and international stars, such…
St Petersburg
Art-house movie theatre that shares a grand building (a former concert hall) with Dom Kino. There are two screens and they often show films in their…
Krasnoyarsk
The architecturally nondescript Opera-Ballet Theatre has daily performances of productions such as Carmen, Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet starting in the…
Northern European Russia
This rickety-looking historic building plays host to the city's most exciting jazz and blues events. An international jazz festival takes place here in…
Western European Russia
Attending a concert is the best way to get a look at the reconstructed hall where Mikhail Glinka once entertained Russian nobility and launched the…
Bolshoi St Petersburg State Circus
St Petersburg
Russia's oldest permanent circus complex (built in 1877) is looking splendid since a recent major renovation. Circus troupes and artists from other cities…
Mineral Water Spas
The North-Caucasus State Philharmonic play in this grand 1895 hall on a hill overlooking the railway station. Other popular music concerts with Russian…
St Petersburg
Since 1917, this venue under the arches on central Nevsky is the city’s oldest professional puppet theatre. Mainly for children, the shows are well…
Northern European Russia
As well as its vibrant program of mostly classical music (October to May), the Philharmonia also organises a two-week Summer at the Kremlin festival of…
National Philharmonic of Russia
Zamoskvorechie
The National Philharmonic is a new orchestra for the 21st century, founded in 2003. The NPR performs at the Moscow International House of Music.
Schnittke Philharmonic Theatre
Volga Region
This hall remains true to the ideology of polystylism, fostered by home-grown composer Alfred Schnittke, so jazz and folk music are as much at home here…
St Petersburg
This ‘big’ puppet theatre is indeed the biggest in the city, and has been active since 1931. The repertoire includes a wide range of shows for children…
St Petersburg
This large venue hosts an annual festival of plays from the Baltic countries, as well as Russian and European plays and a growing repertoire of…
St Petersburg
This low-key Russian restaurant and bar has very popular live jazz sets at 9.30pm and 11.30pm on Friday and Saturday, when it's practically standing room…
St Petersburg
Named after the famed naval ship docked nearby, this place stages a mixed bag of ballets, rock and metal concerts and musical theatre.
Meshchansky & Basmanny
A popular concert venue, associated with a namesake label that's responsible for one of Russia's best-known rap acts, Basta.
Kaliningrad
Several plays staged here are included in the program of the annual Baltic Season.
Krasnoyarsk
A far-flung indie rock and 'intellectual hip-hop' (whatever that is!) venue run by fans of the film director Tim Burton.
Tomsk
The drama theatre might be housed in a huge ugly slab of concrete on pl Lenina, but the performances are far from ugly.
Tomsk
Beautiful organ concerts are held several times a month upstairs in the Atashev Palace. The acoustics are brilliant.
Ufa
Concert hall, disco, sports bar and microbrewery in one. From ul Lenina, take any bus north to Dom Pechati Stop.
Tomsk
Classical music and great big-band jazz. Hosts the Tomsk International Jazz Festival in the first week of June.
Tchaikovsky Theatre of Opera & Ballet
The Urals
Performances by students of one of Russia’s top ballet schools. Ticket prices depend on seat and performance.
Murmansk
For opera, folk music or classical concerts, buy tickets in advance from the on-site ticket office.
Yekaterinburg
This ornate baroque theatre is a lovely place to see the Russian classics at a high standard.
Ufa
Not to be missed for live gigs, Rock's lives up to its name with local and national acts.
Kaliningrad
This theatre presents popular musical comedies and dramas as well as occasional concerts.
Krasnoyarsk
This dark venue showcases live bands around an upturned motorcycle from 10pm most days.
Russian Caucasus
This modern and notable theatre presents ballet and opera between September and June.
Krasnoyarsk
The Philharmonia has three concert halls showcasing folk, jazz and classical music.
