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St. Petersburg is preparing to mark the 81st anniversary of the Great Victory. For a city that endured 872 days of blockade, this date remains a time of deep remembrance. On May 9 we remember the personal feat of every family that withstood the years of trial, and pay respect to those who defended the country and the city. A day when the country's history and every person's fate become inseparable, uniting generations in a feeling of gratitude and awe before the past. The extensive 2026 program of events – from the ceremonial parade to performances – is intended to remind us of the price at which the Victory was won and to keep this memory alive.
In this article you will find the program of events for May 9, 2026 in St. Petersburg: the parade, fireworks, concerts and the best places to go on Victory Day.
Where to go on May 9 in St. Petersburg 2026
- Parade on May 9 in St. Petersburg 2026
- Victory Day at the Peter and Paul Fortress 2026
- Salute on May 9 in St. Petersburg: bus and boat tour
- Exhibitions dedicated to Victory Day in St. Petersburg
- Performances and concerts on May 9 in St. Petersburg in 2026
- Conclusion
- Frequently asked questions about May 9
Parade on May 9 in St. Petersburg 2026
The parade on Palace Square will traditionally be the central event of the morning of May 9. The ceremonial march of troops will begin at 10:00. The program is expected to include foot columns, heavy equipment – including historical T-34 tanks and modern models such as the T-90M "Proryv" – as well as an aviation flyover in the sky above the city.
Keep in mind that access to the stands on Palace Square is limited: seats there are intended primarily for veterans, official delegations and honored guests. For citizens who wish to see the columns pass, viewing areas in Alexander Garden and along Palace Passage are recommended. Due to the significant crowds, it is advised to take places in these areas in advance, preferably from 8:30.
Parade rehearsal for May 9 in St. Petersburg 2026
For those who prefer a calmer atmosphere, there is an opportunity to see the preparation of equipment and personnel during the rehearsals, which will begin in the second half of April. On May 7 at 10:00 the dress rehearsal will take place, with a program that fully duplicates the festive parade.
Victory Day at the Peter and Paul Fortress 2026
At 14:00 the center of the celebration will shift to the Peter and Paul Fortress, to the Naryshkin Bastion. At noon on May 9 a ceremonial cannon shot will thunder there, and later a concert program will begin, featuring songs and poems about the war and Victory.
Interactive zones will operate on the territory, where visitors can see a replica of the legendary "polutorka" (GAZ-AA), which became a symbol of life for the besieged city, get acquainted with samples of Red Army weapons and visit a recreated battalion medical station, giving an idea of the selfless work of medics during the war years.
Entry to the fortress's festive venues is free.
Salute on May 9 in St. Petersburg: bus and boat tour
Leningrad Tour has prepared a special themed excursion dedicated to Victory Day. It starts at 19:00 and over four hours will let you see the most important places of the besieged city, its memorials and places of military glory.
First you will enjoy a sightseeing bus ride with stories from a guide, then a heartfelt "halt", where you can sing "Katyusha" and other war songs together with the artists to the accordion.
At the end of the evening you will transfer to a boat to watch the salute right from the water: this is the best way to see the lights in the sky and their reflection in the Neva without the crowds on the embankments.
This excursion costs 6,500 rubles for adults, pensioners and students, while for schoolchildren and preschoolers tickets cost 6,000 and 4,500 rubles.
This is a very touching tour that helps you truly feel the history of our city and celebrate May 9th among your own.
May 9: Fireworks from a boat
Go to the tour →Exhibitions dedicated to Victory Day in St. Petersburg
Equipment Exhibition on Palace Square
After the May 9 parade ends, approximately from 15:00 until the end of the day, Palace Square will function as an open-air exhibition space.
Here, historical equipment from the Lenrezerv collection will be displayed: visitors will be able to see military motorcycles, ZIS cars, and trucks that served at the front and in the rear. Viewing the exhibition is free for everyone. The exhibition is suitable for families with children; they will enjoy seeing historical equipment from the Lenrezerv collection up close and taking unusual photos with them.
Sand Sculpture Festival at Peter and Paul Fortress 2026
If you decide to spend May 9 at the Peter and Paul Fortress, be sure to visit the Alekseevsky Ravelin for the Sand Sculpture Festival. In 2026, the exhibition under the motto "Delight of Creativity" presents large-scale sand works inspired by St. Petersburg's architecture, fairy-tale characters, and cinema.
This place is perfect for families with children, as a huge sandbox with toys has been prepared for young guests, and a cozy relaxation area for parents.
The exhibition is open daily from 10:00 to 21:00, and the entrance ticket costs 500 rubles.
Performances and concerts on May 9 in St. Petersburg in 2026
"Frontline Letters" at the Lensovet Theatre
At 12:00 on May 9, a special performance-concert will be shown at the Lensovet Theatre. This production will present readings of genuine letters that soldiers wrote home, and the replies they awaited in the trenches. All this will be accompanied by famous songs such as "Dark Night" and "Cranes." This is a very personal and touching story that moves you to tears.
Stars will be on stage – Anna Kovalchuk and Sergey Migitsko. Please note that tickets start at 400 rubles and sell out instantly.
Performance-concert "Leningrad. Score of Life" at the Alexandrinsky Theatre
And at 19:00 on the stage of the Alexandrinsky Theatre a production will be presented dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Dmitri Shostakovich's birth and devoted to the siege period of the city's history.
The project is based on documentary evidence: diaries and letters of Leningraders, and even notes of musicians who participated in the legendary performance of the Seventh ("Leningrad") Symphony in 1942.
The program combines dramatic art and a performance by the Governor's Symphony Orchestra, which will perform fragments of the composer's iconic works. Ticket price for the performance is 500 rubles.
Alexander Rosenbaum Concert on May 9 in St. Petersburg
At the same time, at 19:00, the traditional festive concert of Alexander Rosenbaum dedicated to Victory Day will begin at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall. Ticket prices for the event start at 4800 rubles.
Together with the "Staraya Armiya" ensemble, the artist will perform a program consisting of famous songs about life, love, and people's fates, many of which have become truly beloved by the people.
Rosenbaum's annual concerts on May 9 have already become a tradition in St. Petersburg.
Conclusion
The day will end with festive fireworks over the Neva, but more than just a beautiful spectacle will remain in memory. May 9 in St. Petersburg is a moment when we simply and sincerely say "thank you" to veterans, because the story of their feat lives in every family. We remember their resilience and pass these stories on to our children so that this memory lives on. When you go out into the city streets on such a day, you immediately feel that special unity that makes this holiday important for each of us.
The Leningrad Tour team wishes you and your loved ones a Happy Victory Day!
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Frequently asked questions about May 9
What time is the salute on May 9 in St. Petersburg?
The festive artillery salute at the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress will begin at 22:00.
Where is the best place to watch the salute?
The best viewing locations are considered to be the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island, the bridges across the Neva — Dvortsovy, Troitsky, Liteyny — as well as the embankments and the deck of a boat in the river's waters.
What time does the parade start on Palace Square?
The ceremonial procession on Palace Square will begin at 10:00.
Where to go with children on May 9?
With children, it's worth visiting the Sand Sculpture Festival with an interactive sandbox and the exhibition of historical equipment on Palace Square.
Can you watch the salute from a boat?
Yes, viewing from the water is possible as part of a tour from Leningrad Tour, which includes watching the fireworks from a boat.
