Must-see entertainment in Russia
Presnya
This little cultural centre occupies the ground floor of the building where novelist Mikhail Bulgakov resided. The author lived in a communal flat, no 50,…
Obraztsov Puppet Theatre & Museum
Moscow
The country’s largest puppet theatre performs colourful Russian folk tales and adapted classical plays. Kids can get up close and personal with the…
Zamoskvorechie
In Neskuchny Sad gardens, the open-air Stas Namin Theatre hosts concerts as well as its own performances, mostly from the rock opera genre.
Moscow
Dedushka Durov (Grandpa Durov) founded this zany theatre for kids as a humane alternative to the horrible treatment of animals he saw at the circus. His…
St Petersburg
This delightful theatre’s name means ‘the actor’s shelter’ and it does a pretty good job of fulfilling its role, providing refuge for some of the city’s…
Moscow
Everything about Yar is over the top, including the vast, gilded interior, the traditional Russian menu and the Moulin Rouge–style dancing girls. The…
Tomsk
Trud Stadium is the home of Siberia’s top football club. Since 2004 Tom Tomsk has spent a number of years in the Russian Premier League, making it Europe…
St Petersburg
Named after Vera Komissarzhevskaya, a great actress who gained her reputation as leading lady in Vsevolod Meyerhold performances during the late 19th…
Northern European Russia
The 'Wheel', an Arkhangelsk institution, hosts rock, thrash metal, folk, rockabilly and country gigs from local and visiting acts on weekends and some…
Tomsk
Home stadium of local football side Tom Tomsk. There's a shop selling Tomsk scarves and T-shirts. It’s open 11am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and on weekends…
Northern European Russia
The Philharmonia hosts orchestral concerts and operas. Its Kamerny Zal stages organ and chamber music in the 1768 Lutheran church of St Catherine.
St Petersburg
This 7000-seat stadium is home to local basketball team BK Spartak (www.bc-spartak.ru), who play here from October to April. The complex also houses a…
Veliky Novgorod
Veliky Novgorod’s Philharmonic Concert Hall often hosts live classical and popular music concerts; check the website for the schedule and ticket prices.
Northern European Russia
This large student-oriented basement bar beneath the Philharmonia is where Peterozavodsk's fledgling and established rock bands come to strut their stuff.
Sochi
Built in a majestic imperial style, this massive, colonnaded building would add grace to any world capital. Opera, ballet and drama are presented here.
St Petersburg
The former home stadium of Zenit, St Petersburg’s top football team, today this 21,000-seat arena is where Tosno plays many of its home games.
Northern European Russia
Kamerny Zal stages organ and chamber music in the 1768 Lutheran church of St Catherine. There’s a busy 'white nights' program in June.
Sochi
True to its name, this architecturally striking, neoclassical theatre stages open-air concerts and drama performances during the summer.
Krasnoyarsk
Classic Russian puppet shows such as Chuk i Gek, Doktor Aybolit and Goldilocks for kids and adults alike.
Western European Russia
Hosts plays and concerts in a clever modernist building – the facade mimics the effect of a stage with the curtains drawn.
Khabarovsk
Funny operettas run from November to April; big musical acts run from May to October. There’s also the occasional ballet.
Novosibirsk
This 12,500-capacity venue is the home of local football team Sibir. Games are usually played on Saturday or Sunday.
Irkutsk
Shakespeare, Russian classics and local playwright Vampilov staged regularly (in Russian) from September to June.
Khabarovsk
This is the home arena for Khabarovsk’s ice hockey team, the Amur Tigers, a hot ticket from October to March.
Vladivostok
The popular local football team, Luch-Energiya, plays games at this bayside stadium from April to November.
Northern European Russia
International ballet and opera performances are hosted in the theatre's becolumned neoclassical building.
Kaliningrad
Performances are held on Saturdays and Sundays at noon in the 19th-century Lutheran Queen Luisa Church.
Irkutsk
Historic building staging regular children’s shows and musical programs from jazz to classical.
Northern European Russia
This magnificent Parthenon pile stages light operas, plays, ballets and folk-group shows.
Western European Russia
A fun, small-scale, occasionally experimental theatre that presents mostly comedies.
Western European Russia
Home of the city’s classical orchestra; visit the website for concert details.
Western European Russia
Quality productions are mounted at this handsome classical-style theatre.
Sochi
This popular venue caters to a slightly older crowd with a wide variety of live music, dance performances and even late-night strip tease.
