Must-see entertainment in Moscow

  • bolshoi theatre moscow russia

    Bolshoi Theatre

    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…

  • Stanislavsky Electrotheatre

    Moscow

    Renowned performance artist Boris Yukhananov has revived this old theatre as Moscow's hottest venue for experimental performance and visual art. Dance,…

  • Gogol Center

    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…

  • Luzhniki Stadium

    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…

  • 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…

  • Tchaikovsky Concert Hall

    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…

  • Exterior of New Opera building.

    Novaya Opera

    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…

  • MOST Theatre

    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 logo.

    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 Art Theatre (MKhT)

    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…

  • 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…

  • New Ballet

    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…

  • Bolshoi Circus on Vernadskogo

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    This huge circus holds 3400 spectators, but the steep pitch means that everyone has a view of the action. The company includes hundreds of performers –…

  • Kuklachev Cat Theatre

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    At this unusual theatre, acrobatic cats do all kinds of stunts for the audience’s delight. Director Yury Kuklachev bristles at the use of the word 'train'…

  • Maly Theatre

    Moscow

    ‘Maly’ means small, meaning smaller than the Bolshoi across the street. Actually, the name dates back to the time when there were only two theatres in…

  • Pioner Cinema

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    Almost all of the films shown in Russia are dubbed into the Russian language, but this cinema theatre is a pleasant exception. Apart from sticking with…

  • BB King

    Moscow

    This old-style blues club hosts an open jam session on Wednesday night, acoustic blues on Sunday and live performances other nights. The restaurant is…

  • Lenkom Theatre

    Moscow

    The Lenkom isn’t the most glamorous theatre, but it’s widely considered to have the strongest acting troupe in the country. The flashy productions and…

  • Kremlin Ballet

    Moscow

    The Bolshoi Theatre doesn’t have a monopoly on ballet in Moscow. Leading dancers also appear with the Kremlin Ballet, which performs in the State Kremlin…

  • Satirikon Theatre

    Moscow

    Boasting one of Moscow’s most talented theatre producers, Konstantin Raikin, as well as a host of big-name directors, the Satirikon earned a reputation in…

  • Moscow Children’s Musical Theatre

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    Founded by theatre legend Natalya Sats in 1965, this was the country’s first children’s theatre. Sats, apparently, was the inspiration for Prokofiev’s…

  • Moscow English Theatre

    Presnya

    Founded by English actor Jonathan Bex, the MET performs contemporary American and British plays for English-speaking audiences. The company's original…

  • Strelka Institute

    Zamoskvorechie

    This institute is the focal point of the development at the Red October chocolate factory. Aside from the course offerings and the popular bar, Strelka…

  • Rhythm Blues Cafe

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    If your dog got run over by a pick-up truck, you might find some comfort at the Rhythm Blues Cafe, with down-and-out live music every night, plus cold…

  • Gelikon Opera

    Presnya

    Named after famous Mt Helicon, home to the muses and inspiration for musicians, this opera company is unique in Moscow for its innovative, even…

  • Sixteen Tons

    Presnya

    Downstairs, the brassy English pub-restaurant has an excellent house-brewed bitter. Upstairs, the club gets some of the best Russian bands that play in…

  • Arbat 13

    Arbat & Khamovniki

    The retro decor and friendly service create a great vibe at this cool underground music club. There are live jazz performances on Thursday and Sunday, and…

  • 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.

  • Gazgolder

    Meshchansky & Basmanny

    A popular concert venue, associated with a namesake label that's responsible for one of Russia's best-known rap acts, Basta.

  • Bulgakov House & Theatre

    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…

  • Stas Namin Theatre

    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.

  • Durov Animal Theatre

    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…

  • Russian Ball at Yar

    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…