Traditional festivals and events

Christmas in Vitoslavlitsi (the open air Wooden Architecture Museum) - Walk with jesters; singing of cult and festival songs, Christmas stories, round dances, fortune-telling. Winter sleighing, skating and sledding. Traditional Rusian games and amusements; walking on stilts, a man’s traditional wrestling: arm wrestling.

Winter folklore holiday “Sviatki v Vitoslavlitsakh” (Christmas-tide) - Christmas-tide ceremonies, performed by Novgorod folklore groups, trade handicraft fair, traditional games, sledding, ringing of bells. 

“Maslenitsa” (the beginning of March) - The holiday is devoted to farewell of winter and welcoming spring. Horse-riding, big trade fair with Russian pan-cakes, theatrical performance with the assistance of accordion players and jesters. Folk games and amusements. 

Easter (in the open air Wooden Architecture Museum “Vitoslavlitsi”) –Roll-furthest and knock-it-out games, played with painted eggs, Easter week surprises, ringing of bells. 

International Children’s festival of Classic Music named after Rakhmaninov- International piano competition, child concerts, Masters Concerts, master classes of leading musicians. Under the aegis of the UNESCO. 

Festival of Slavonic Alphabet and Culture- St. Sophia Cathedral-liturgy and public prayers for St. Cyril and St. Methody. Master concerts with some of the best Performers from Russia and other countries.

International festival of Folklore and Crafts the open air Wooden Architecture Museum “Vitoslavlitsi”. Performances of Folklore groups from the Novgorod region and guests from other cities and countries. Traditional Novgorod games and amusements. 

Holiday of Ivan Kupala (night from 6 to 7 July)-Young people gather on the banks of the Ilmen Lake, make bonfires, jump over them to purify themselves. The holiday program includes: circle dancing; games and amusements, and traditional Russian meal in the end. 

The City Day (June, 11-12) –Theatrical performances on the central squares and river embankment. Concert programs of Novgorod folklore groups. Sports shows. Child games and amusements. Fair on the ancient market place, Jaroslav-the-Wise’s Court.