Best time to visit Russia

The best time to visit Russia is during the summer from June to September, with July being the hottest month in most parts of Russia. The days are warm and long and the country is alive with activity after the cold winter months. 

June
June in Russia sees the country waking up after a long winter. In St. Petersburg, it is the season of the White Nights when the sun shines day and night. The city celebrates the end of winter and the long hours of daylight with events and festivals throughout the month. The Stars of the White Nights is put on every year at different theaters around the city and features national and international opera and ballet performances.

In Moscow, the Independence of Russia is celebrated in grand fashion each year on June 12th with parades and parties in Red Square and throughout the city. 

For foodies, Taste of Moscow is held every year in Luzhniki Stadium for four days. The event showcases the best chefs in the city and the country as well as Europe. Other highlights include culinary workshops and a gourmet market. 

July
July is the warmest month in most of Russia with averages around 65℉ (18.4℃). As one of the hottest months, the Volga River delta is an ideal place to visit as lotus flowers are in bloom and the cool air takes the edge off the heat. Towns like Saratov and Uglich on the river put you center stage to the culture and history of the country. 

St. Petersburg’s White Nights continue with an annual White Night Festival, where music, dance, and fireworks bring people to the streets before the long days of sunlight end towards the middle of the month.

August
August is one of the best months to visit Russia as the majority of the country is on break and summer crowds begin weaning. The temperatures are still warm, but the heat of the summer has passed. 

The Rostec International Fireworks Festival takes place in Moscow during August, bringing together teams from all over the world to compete in pyrotechnic displays revolving around a different theme each year.

In the arctic, on Wrangel Island, snowy owls are beginning to fly and polar bears are active. 

In St. Petersburg, the International Festival of Choral Art and the International Dance Festival takes place during August, showcasing the best of choral singers and dancers from around the world.

September
September has a temperate beginning of the month across Russia with beautiful fall colors and turns chilly towards the final weeks heading into October. Moscow holds its annual celebration in honor of the city’s founding more than eight centuries ago. More than 1,000 events take place across the city including parades, fireworks, and live music. 

September is also considered one of the best times to visit St. Petersburg as the fall colors and pleasant temperatures bring the palaces and gardens across the city to a golden glow. 

Russia (Moscow)