Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg, take place every year on May 9, a public holiday marking the end of the Second World War in Europe for the Soviet Union. It is a day of remembrance as much as a celebration, and it carries special weight in a city that lived through the siege of Leningrad.
Ceremonies, wreath-laying and public events take place across the city, and the format changes from year to year. This page explains the pattern of the day, what to expect as a visitor and how it affects the centre. Check the official city announcements for the current edition.
Quick Facts
| Russian name | День Победы в Санкт-Петербурге |
|---|---|
| Type | Holiday / observance |
| When | Every year on May 9, marking the end of the Second World War in Europe for the Soviet Union. |
| Next occurrence | May 9 (same date every year) |
| Typical duration | One day, with events from the morning to a fireworks display in the evening |
| Public holiday | Yes, a non-working day in Russia |
| Address | Дворцовая площадь и центр города, Санкт-Петербург (Palace Square and the centre) OpenStreetMap · Google Maps |
| District | Admiralteysky |
| Metro | Admiralteyskaya (Line 5 (Purple), Closest to Palace Square; exits may be restricted on the day) Nevsky Prospekt (Line 2 (Blue), About 15 minutes on foot along Nevsky Prospekt toward the Admiralty) |
| Admission | Public events in the streets and squares are generally free. Museums keep their own tickets (₽ to ₽₽). |
| Best time to visit | Go in the morning for ceremonies and in the evening for fireworks. The weather in early May is often cool, and crowds are large through the afternoon. |
| Last updated | October 17, 2026 |
Dates, programs and prices change from year to year. Always check the official website for the current edition.
Why Visit Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg?
- A day of memory: the holiday shows how the war is remembered in Russia.
- A city with a siege history: memorials and museums have added meaning on this day.
- Public ceremonies: wreath-laying and processions take place in the open.
- Evening fireworks: displays are traditionally held over the Neva.
- A day off: many residents are out in the centre.
How Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg Is Celebrated
The day follows a general pattern. In the morning, wreaths are laid at war memorials and cemeteries, and veterans are honoured in public ceremonies. Many people wear the orange-and-black St George ribbon and carry flowers, which they leave at monuments.
In past years, the day has included military parades, marches with portraits of relatives and concerts. The format has varied from year to year. In the evening, fireworks are traditionally launched over the Neva. Check the official announcements for the current edition for what is planned.
Highlights of Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Palace Square and the centre
Palace Square has been a traditional venue for public ceremonies and events on May 9. The Alexander Column and the General Staff Building form the backdrop.
The format varies by year, and access may be restricted.
Tip: Check access rules before you go, as streets near the square may be closed.
Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery
The cemetery holds mass graves of residents and soldiers who died in the siege of Leningrad. On May 9, people lay flowers and wreaths here. It is among the most significant memorial sites in the city.
See Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery, Saint Petersburg for the details.
Tip: Visit with respect and in quiet clothing; it is a place of mourning.
Victory Square and the Defenders Monument
Victory Square, in the south of the city, holds a large monument to the defenders of Leningrad, unveiled in the 1970s. Wreaths are laid here on May 9.
It is a short walk from Moskovskaya metro station.
Tip: Go in the morning, before the main crowds.
Museums of the siege and the war
Some museums, such as the State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad, keep programmes related to the holiday. Hours and arrangements vary.
See that page for the details.
Tip: Check the museum's hours for the day.
Evening fireworks
Fireworks are traditionally launched in the evening over the Neva, visible from the central embankments. The display ends the day.
Timing and locations vary, so check the announcement.
Tip: Choose an embankment spot early, as the best places fill.
What It Means for Your Visit
May 9 is a public non-working day in Russia. Many shops and cafes stay open, but some close, and museums may keep reduced or special hours. Streets in the centre may be closed to traffic, and some metro exits near event sites may be restricted.
Crowds are large near ceremonies and fireworks sites, and security checks are common. Check the official announcements for the current edition and plan your route in advance.
Atmosphere
The mood is serious and warm at once. Elderly veterans in uniforms are greeted with flowers, and families walk through the centre with carnations and ribbons. Music from the war years plays in places, and older residents often sing along.
By evening, the streets are full, and crowds gather along the Neva for the fireworks. The tone shifts from remembrance to a quiet, shared celebration.
History of Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Germany signed the act of surrender on the night of May 8–9, 1945, and the Soviet Union marked the victory on May 9. The first Victory Parade in Moscow was held on June 24, 1945.
For a time after the war, May 9 was an ordinary working day. In 1965, it was made a public non-working day again, and large public commemorations became established.
Leningrad had endured the siege, which lasted about 900 days until January 1944, and the city’s memory of the war is especially strong. Memorials such as Piskaryovskoye Cemetery and the Victory Square monument were built in the Soviet period.
In the 1990s and 2000s, public commemorations expanded, with parades, marches and concerts. The format of the celebrations has varied in recent years, and visitors should check the official announcements.
Tickets and Booking for Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Public events in the streets and squares are generally free, and no tickets are needed. Some museums and concerts may have their own tickets or sign-up. Details change by year, including venues and access rules, so check the official announcements before you go.
- Where to check: the official city announcements for the current edition.
- Lead time: no booking is usually needed for public events.
- Payment: the sanctions rules of your own country may limit the use of some Russian payment services, so check this yourself.
Rates for museums differ for Russian citizens and foreign visitors; see the official site of each museum for all categories.
Get Tickets for Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
How to Get to Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Events cluster in the centre and at memorial sites.
- Admiralteyskaya (Line 5): closest to Palace Square.
- Nevsky Prospekt (Line 2): a walk of about 15 minutes toward the Admiralty.
- Moskovskaya (Line 2): for Victory Square in the south of the city.
Some central exits may be restricted on the day. See How to Use the Metro, Saint Petersburg.
Food Nearby
Cafes in the centre are busy on May 9, and some close early. Eat before you go to the main sites. For sit-down options see Best Restaurants, Saint Petersburg.
What to Bring
A warm layer, a rain layer and a charged phone. Expect security checks near event sites.
Best Views and Photo Spots of Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Palace Square
The wide square with the Alexander Column and crowds with flowers.
Best time: Morning
Palace Embankment
The river view with the fortress across the water, for the fireworks.
Best time: Evening
Victory Square monument
The tall monument with wreaths laid at its base.
Best time: Morning
Photography Rules
Photography is allowed in public places. Be respectful at memorials and when photographing veterans. Drones are not allowed in the centre.
Family Suitability
Possible with children, but the day is serious and crowded. Explain the meaning of memorial sites in advance. Strollers are hard to use in dense crowds near ceremonies.
Russia Vibes Tips
- Treat memorial sites as places of mourning rather than sights.
- Do not rely on the metro near the centre; plan to walk the last part.
- Carry a carnation if you wish to join the tradition of leaving flowers.
- Check museum hours for the day, as many change.
- Pick your fireworks spot early; the best places fill well before dark.
Explore Nearby Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Sights near Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Palace Square, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 30–60 minutes, more with the HermitageMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery, Saint Petersburgabout 8.7 km away · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad, Saint Petersburg · typical visit: 1.5–2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Palace Bridge, Saint Petersburg – about 500 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: 30–45 minutes; allow 1.5–2 hours if you wait for the night raisingMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kunstkamera, Saint Petersburgabout 700 m away (~11 min walk) · typical visit: 2 hoursMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, Saint Petersburgabout 750 m away (~12 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours, plus time for any museumMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Metro stations near Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Moskovskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 9.7 km awayMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Admiralteyskaya Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 350 m away (~5 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Nevsky Prospekt Metro Station, Saint Petersburgabout 850 m away (~14 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Restaurants and cafes near Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Gogol, Saint Petersburgabout 400 m away (~7 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Katyusha, Saint Petersburgabout 600 m away (~9 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Severyanin, Saint Petersburgabout 1.4 km away (~23 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Train stations and river piers near Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Rumyantsev Descent Pier, Saint Petersburgabout 1.2 km away (~20 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Events and traditions near Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
Scarlet Sails Festival, Saint Petersburgabout 50 m away (~1 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Singing Bridges Show, Saint Petersburgabout 450 m away (~8 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Stars of the White Nights Festival, Saint Petersburgabout 1.9 km away (~30 min walk)Main image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Related guides
Admiralteysky District, Saint Petersburg: Palaces and CathedralsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Wonder of Light Festival, Saint Petersburg: Where to WatchMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Saint Petersburg City Day: The Founding Celebration GuideMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Sennaya Square Area, Saint Petersburg: Dostoevsky’s StreetsMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Kolomna, Saint Petersburg: Canals, Mariinsky and Naval CathedralMain image: AI-generated illustration. It may not show the place exactly as it looks.
Browse more: More in Admiralteysky · All Events & Holidays · All Events & Holidays in Saint Petersburg · All Saint Petersburg · All Soviet Russia
FAQ: Victory Day Celebrations, Saint Petersburg
When is Victory Day?
Every year on May 9.
Is it a public holiday?
Yes, it is a non-working day in Russia.
What does it mark?
The end of the Second World War in Europe for the Soviet Union.
Are there fireworks?
Traditionally yes, in the evening over the Neva. Check the announcement.
Are museums open?
Many are, but hours may change. Check each museum.
Is it the same as the day the siege was lifted?
No, that is January 27. See the State Memorial Museum of the Defense and Siege of Leningrad page.
What is the orange-and-black ribbon?
The St George ribbon, worn as a symbol of remembrance.
Is it safe to visit?
The centre is busy but orderly. Expect security checks and follow staff instructions.
Russia Vibes is a one-person project. A coffee keeps it going
Last updated: October 17, 2026.
How we research and update our guides
About this guide: AI assistance and accuracy
This guide is created with the help of AI and is based on official sources where available. Mistakes can still happen. Opening hours, prices, rules and other details are given to the best of our knowledge as of the date shown and can change without notice. It offers general recommendations only, not professional, legal or travel advice. Please confirm important details with the official source before you travel; you are responsible for your own plans and decisions.
International sanctions affect payments between Russia and many other countries. In practice, cards issued in the EU, the UK, the US and several other countries often do not work in Russia, Russian cards usually do not work abroad, and some booking platforms, airlines and payment providers limit or suspend their services for Russia. The situation changes frequently. We do not give legal or financial advice, and this site does not encourage anyone to break or circumvent sanctions. Whatever you plan, you are responsible for following the laws and regulations that apply to you, including those of your country of residence and citizenship. Many travelers still organise their stay lawfully. It is worth asking your bank or payment provider what is currently permitted, contacting hotels, tour operators and carriers directly about the payment methods they accept, and checking which services are open to customers from your country. Clarify payment, cancellation and refund terms before you commit to a booking, and keep your plans flexible. Partner links on this site may not be available in every country, and prices, availability and rules in our guides can differ from what you see when you book.Paying for your trip: please read
Report an issue on this page
Take this guide with you
Get a free PDF of this guide to print or read offline: key facts, tips and a map link on a few clean pages.