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Historian and guide in St. Petersburg, Peterhof, Tsarskoye Selo and Vyborg.
February 23 is the day when the heart of each of us fills with pride for our defenders. In 2026, St. Petersburg celebrates this holiday on a special scale, especially since we will have a whole 3 days off. This is a great occasion to take to the city streets, feel the atmosphere of unity and honor the memory of those who stand guard over our Motherland. The program of events in the Northern Capital promises to be rich and truly solemn.
Main event: festive fireworks in honor of February 23
The culmination of Defender of the Fatherland Day will be an artillery salute. Traditionally, the volleys will thunder by the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress (from the Great Beach of Hare Island).
The fireworks start at 21:00. Important to remember: on February 23, entry to Hare Island will close earlier than usual – at 18:00. Also, from 19:00 to midnight, traffic will be restricted on Palace Bridge and the central embankments.
The show will last 10 minutes. During this time, crews from the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy will fire 30 symbolic volleys from 12 guns, accompanied by the launch of more than a thousand pyrotechnic items. Each volley, by tradition, will be dedicated to the great victories, commanders, and heroes of our country.
Where else to go on February 23, 2026?
If you want to feel the holiday even before the evening fireworks, St. Petersburg has prepared many interesting venues:
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A. I. Marinesko Museum of Underwater Forces. On this day, admission will be free for all visitors. This is a unique chance to see rare submarine models and real equipment of submariners. The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00.
A. I. Marinesko Museum of Underwater Forces -
Light show in the center. In the evening, the city will be decorated with light fountains in Nakhimovsky and Kazansky squares, which will shine in the colors of the Russian tricolor.
Fountain of light by Kazan Cathedral -
Free film screenings. The 'Petersburg-Kino' network is organizing screenings of classic war films such as 'Zone of Special Attention' and 'Counterstrike'. For example, at the 'Druzhba' cinema, screenings will start at 12:00, and at 'Rodina' – at 13:00.
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'Troitsky' Cultural Center. Here at 14:00, the entertainment program 'Aligning with the Best' will begin, and at 15:00 – a big patriotic concert (free admission).
Tour of Siege-era Leningrad
February 23 is a day of remembrance for the feat of Leningraders who survived the 872 days of the siege. These events permeate the streets and various landmarks of the city. The tour by Leningrad Tour 'Siege-era Leningrad' will allow you to feel more deeply the history of the city and the resilience of Leningraders, thanks to whom the city was preserved as it was since the times of Peter the Great.
Tour of besieged Leningrad
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