St. Petersburg Fairs 2025–2026

Publication date: 7 декабря 2025 Update date: 1 сентября 2026

Christmas fairs in St. Petersburg 2025–2026 — main venues of the winter city

Every December, St. Petersburg turns into a true festive center, where everything — from architecture to the aroma of hot chocolate — reminds of the approaching New Year. In the season 2025–2026 the traditional Main Christmas Fair opened on December 13 and will run until January 11, covering several central venues of the city. This is a place where people come not only for gifts — here they seek mood, atmosphere, and the feeling of a winter miracle.

Manezhnaya Square — the heart of festive Petersburg

The city's main fair is located right here. Manezhnaya Square is decorated in a Russian fairy-tale style: carved towers, arches, light compositions, and many festive houses. The space operates daily from 12:00 to 21:00 and gathers guests from all over the country.

Manezhnaya Square fair St. Petersburg — Manezhnaya Square — the main Christmas fair of St. Petersburg

festive houses — Festive Christmas houses

Cathedrals of St. Petersburg at New Year — Festive Christmas houses

At Manezhnaya Square, guests can enjoy: an ice rink with atmospheric lighting, a large carousel, a food court with winter treats, dozens of houses with handmade souvenirs and New Year ornaments. This is a place to come and feel the holiday — especially in the evening hours when the whole center glows with lights.

Palace Square — the main Christmas tree of St. Petersburg

On Palace Square, the traditional the main city Christmas tree, decorated with nutcracker figurines, little houses, and golden baubles. Next to it, there is a large ice slide (open from 12:00 to 20:30) and a small fair with treats.

Palace Square is not just a place tourists visit. It is the hallmark of New Year's St. Petersburg: grand, bright, festive, and very photogenic.

Moscow Square has also become one of the main locations of the Christmas season. Festive pavilions operate here, with workshops, themed programs, and children's activities. The atmosphere is calmer, more family-friendly, and cozy.

Besides the three central fairs, New Year's St. Petersburg offers many atmospheric spaces: New Holland with its designer market, Nikolsky Row with festive lighting and a food court, and the Botanical Garden, where you can find handmade ornaments, wreaths, and crafts.

What you can buy at Christmas fairs

Handmade gifts — toys, candles, decor, woolen items, wooden souvenirs.
New Year's sweets — stollen, honey gingerbread, hot waffles, trdelník, chocolate.
Festive drinks — mulled wine, cocoa, winter teas, sbiten.
Designer ornaments — wreaths, terrariums, Christmas tree decorations.

“St. Petersburg fairs are not about shopping. They are about emotions, warm light, winter aromas, and the feeling of celebration that you cannot buy in a store.”

Why Christmas fairs are so loved

Here, everyone finds something for themselves: children — ice rinks and carousels, adults — the atmosphere, tasty food, and gifts, tourists — that very postcard of St. Petersburg that comes alive in December. Fairs bring people together and create a winter mood that stays with everyone until the end of the holidays.