Good Time to Visit

Weather

The climate of Russia varies across this vast country; the southeast steppes have hot, dry summers and very cold winters, whilst the north and northeastern Black Sea has mild winters, but heavy rainfall all the year round. Northern and central European Russia has the most varied climate; summer sunshine may be nine hours a day, but winters can be very cold. The mildest areas in this region are along the Baltic coast. Siberia has very cold winters, and short, wet summers.

More information about the Russian weather may be found in Climate in Russia.

Festivals

The Malenitsa Festival is held throughout February and March in Moscow to celebrate the coming of spring and advance of Lent. St Petersburg celebrates the founding of the city on 27 May for City Day. The summer solstice there is marked with The White Nights, a period of all-night parties as the sun barely dips below the horizon, leaving a magical grey-white night sky. An International Folklore Festival is held in Moscow between August and December. The Russian Winter Festival held over the 12 days of Christmas is hosted in Moscow's Izmailovo Park with folk games, dancing, and sleigh rides.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Russia: