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Private jet charter to the White Nights Festival in Russia


Every year during June and July, St Petersburg comes alive in a festival of ballet, opera, carnivals and music to celebrate two months of almost continual daylight. Charter a private jet to experience the incredible White Nights in fitting style.

What is the White Nights Festival?

This unique festival celebrates the coming of summer after months of cold and dark. Due to St Petersburg’s location near the Arctic Circle, it enjoys almost 24-hour daylight, known as ‘White Nights’ or ‘Midnight Sun’, during June and July. People have been celebrating this phenomenon for decades, but in recent years the festival has gained worldwide recognition.

Top events at the White Nights Festival

A ship with scarlet sails floats down the Neva river against a background of fireworks
A ship with scarlet sails floats down the Neva river against a background of fireworks

Organized by the St Petersburg City Administration, the White Nights Festival takes place all over the city throughout June and July. Here are some highlights:

Stars of the White Nights

As usual, the focal point of the 2018 event is Stars of the White Nights, a cultural program of ballet, opera and classical music performances. Shows take place daily between May 26 and July 23, featuring top Russian and international talent including composer Valery Gergiev. Shows are held in the beautiful Mariinsky Theatre, New Theatre and Concert Hall. Get your tickets well in advance, as they sell out fast.

Music in Palace Square

St Petersburg’s grand Palace Square becomes a stage for international music stars every summer during the White Nights Festival. In previous years, acts such as the Rolling Stones and Ringo Starr have performed, however the line-up for 2018 has yet to be confirmed.

Carnivals

During White Nights, the streets are full of carnivals where you can enjoy food, street theater, traditional games and music. The best carnivals are based in the Peterhof suburb and feature actors in period costume re-enacting some of the city’s key historical events.

Scarlet Sails

Picture a 19th-century ship with scarlet sails gliding down the Neva River to a backdrop of music and fireworks. This tradition was established just after the second World War by local schools to mark the end of the academic year, taking inspiration from Alexander Grin’s book The Scarlet Sails. Today, there are also rowing races and music acts, an open-air concert, fireworks and pyrotechnic shows.

Long Night of the Museums

On the May 19 and 20, 2018, museums and art galleries all over St Petersburg – including top picks like the Sheremetev Palace and Museum of Political History – are free to visit and open until the small hours of the morning.

Opening of the drawbridges

Every day at 2am, the drawbridges connecting St Petersburg’s main islands rise up to let tall vessels pass. The illuminated bridges make for an impressive sight and bystanders line the riverbanks to watch. The best place to witness this spectacle is from the steps near the Hermitage Museum.

Rooftop celebrations and views

Rooftop tours of St Petersburg are extremely popular and offer sweeping views of the city skyline. During the White Nights Festival, the rooftops come alive with dancing, music and film screenings, as well as offering stellar views of the Scarlet Sails and drawbridge openings.

Where to stay in St Petersburg

The drawbridges open over the Neva river as part of the White Nights Festival
The drawbridges open over the Neva river as part of the White Nights Festival

There are plenty of luxury hotels on offer in St Petersburg, but make sure to book ahead as the city can get crowded during the White Nights Festival. Top five-star options include the historic Rocco Forte Hotel Astoria, the riverside Four Seasons Hotel Lion Palace, and one of the city’s oldest and most prestigious options, the Angleterre Hotel.

Private jet charter to the 2018 White Nights Russia Festival

If you’d like to experience the White Nights Festival in 2018, why not consider flying to Russia in style? Hire a private plane to whisk you to St Petersburg and enjoy exclusive perks. Skip the airport queues and get access to amenities such as personal flight attendants, extra luggage space and room to work, dine, and relax on board. Get a private jet charter quote for your trip to the 2018 White Nights Russia festival.

Let us arrange a private jet charter so you can fly to Russia in luxury and comfort. We can organize private flights from any location to St Petersburg, where you can join in the world’s most unique summer festival.

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