Recently updated on August 25th, 2021 at 03:28 pm
Saint-Petersburg extends a warm welcome for a festive sojourn that will see you discovering the city cloaked in a magical winter blanket. Imposing, stately and magnificent, Saint-Petersburg is my hometown and I guarantee you will enjoy your visit. After you have explored the regal Winter Palace, St. Isaac’s Cathedral and the grand avenue of Nevsky Prospekt, and the 18th-century Peter and Paul Fortress, why not check out some of the magical St Petersburg’s Christmas markets the city has to offer? I grew up going to these markets every winter, so these are some of my favourites that simply cannot be missed.
Christmas Market on Malaya Sadovaya street & Manezhnaya Square
This is the official city market with 63 stalls featuring handmade and locally produced goods from St. Petersburg and other regions of Russia, including Siberia, the South and the Far East of the country. Gorgeous souvenirs, gifts, sweets, pastries, mittens, socks, figurines made of clay and metal, and jewellery are on offer here. There is also a lovely ice rink, amusement rides and live music performances on a stage. The light show on the walls of a nearby building makes the atmosphere here special and cosy.
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New Year’s Bazaar at New Holland
Visit the bazaar in one of St Petersburg’s most stylish destinations. You’ll find traditional Russian winter clothes, artisan homeware, and craft activities for children, and can warm up by the bonfires or go ice skating.
Art Market on Yelagin Island
The market on Yelagin Island has significant differences from other St Petersburg’s Christmas markets. Firstly, it is held for a whole month and a half. Secondly, there are a lot of activities held on Yelagin Island during the holidays apart from the market itself that you can enjoy, such as concerts, film screenings and exhibitions. It is a beautiful place even without any entertainment, and a lot of people come here just to leisurely stroll any time of year.
St. Petersburg Christmas Market at Lenpolygraphmash & Bolshoy Gostiny Dvor
A city handmade festival with 200+ producers from all over Russia selling whatever a craft master can do, from natural eco-food to ceramics, clothes, and jewellery. Even traditional Russia porcelain is on sale here. Stock up on Russian accessories, handcrafted ceramics and wooden ornaments, and sample local and international cuisines. Here you can also enjoy concerts by local groups and choirs.
Christmas Charity Market at Annenkirche
Burnt and dilapidated Lutheran Church, uncovered walls, twilight, the grand staircase rising directly to the glowing cross… a huge hall with a second tier on the sides… everything looks like a movie scene and to me this is the most atmospheric market of the city. The architectural setting is complemented by the performances of local musicians and choristers who will perform Christmas songs. And the acoustics in Annenkirche are absolutely fantastic.
Art-Yolka at the Stieglitz Academy
Saint Petersburg Stieglitz State Academy of Art and Design is one of the leading Russian art academies and every year it organises a very special Christmas market. «Yolka» (Ёлка) is a Christmas tree in Russian, but it’s also a standard phrase to use for a Christmas celebratory event here. The market features works of the Academy’s students and graduates. Most items are one-offs or made with great creativity.
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Keen to visit festive St Petersburg’s Christmas markets for yourself? Book a Festive St Petersburg and Moscow tour with Trafalgar to discover all that the city has to offer during the most magical time of the year.