Holydays and Cultural-Recreational Programs

Every year in St. Petersburg there are more than forty holidays and celebrations connected to anniversary and memorial dates. Annual New Year’s and Christmas celebrations are held for school children. In 2005 the traditional festival of school graduates “Scarlet Sails” was revived.

The favorite celebration of St. Peterburgers is the Day of the City. Its program includes a great number of bright and joyful events, the most anticipated of which is a carnival on the streets of St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg has 78 cultural-recreational centers, including state and trade union centers, student clubs, etc. Over one million people annually enjoy celebrations, concerts, arts evenings, and open-air events organized by the centers.

 More than 80,000 citizens participate in over 3000 creative and educational groups at the cultural-recreational centers. Over 40 creative amateur groups are recognized with special titles for their outstanding accomplishments.

The Government actively supports the development of cultural-recreational centers and amateur arts groups. Every year the Committee for Culture organizes competitions, contests and festivals for amateurs.