Scarlet Sails is an annual celebration in honor of school graduates in the Northern Capital, a unique international event. For the first time the “Scarlet Sails” holiday in St. Petersburg took place on June 27, 1968.
“Scarlet Sails-2020”: date and program
The Scarlet Sails festival occupies a special place in the calendar of world events and has been recommended for visits by 20 EU countries.
Traditionally, a grand event is held at the end of June, during the white nights. Every year more than 1.5 million residents and guests of the Northern capital come to Palace Square to watch the performance and the pyrotechnic show. This year, the “Scarlet Sails” is scheduled for the night of June 20-21. Address: Palace Square, St. Petersburg.
The holiday program is very diverse. It includes a large-scale theatrical performance that takes place on Palace Square and the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. Famous Russian musical groups, TV presenters, dance groups take part in it.
After the concert, an exciting event awaits graduates and spectators in the waters of the Neva – a living fairy tale, a reality that goes beyond all conceivable limits. The dark sky is painted with bright colors from fireworks, the spectacle is complemented by the sounds of a symphony orchestra. The culmination of the festival is the appearance of a beautiful sailboat on the surface of the water. The scarlet sails of the ship symbolize freedom, love and hopes for a brighter future.
“Scarlet Sails”: how to get there and where is the best place to watch the show
The living personification of Alexander Green’s fairy tale, familiar to everyone, captivates with its beauty and symbolism: a celebration dedicated to parting with the school will not leave anyone indifferent. All guidebooks strongly recommend watching the “Scarlet Sails” show, because it is recognized as one of the most spectacular in Europe.
But getting to the holiday is not so easy. Because only graduates of St. Petersburg schools get a unique opportunity to enjoy a concert on Palace Square and watch a magnificent pyrotechnic show in the water area of the Neva from the Palace Bridge. The rest of the people can enjoy the event only from the embankments, surrounded by a huge crowd.
The Neva embankment near Palace Square and Troitsky Bridge, as well as the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, will certainly be overcrowded, so it’s better to arrive there early to take a good seat. Other good options are:
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- the beach in front of the Peter and Paul Fortress;
- The Hermitage Bridge;
- Exchange bridge;
- several restaurants with excellent views of the water;
- boat trips.
Watching the show from the ship
Excursions on motor ships allow you to watch pyrotechnic and light shows from the water side. Access to Troitsky Bridge is limited due to the maneuvering of the Alye Sails sailing ship before the start of the event. When the sailboat passes over the bridge, the boats sail 150-200 meters to the Trinity Bridge, which allows you to enjoy fireworks in comfortable conditions.
Restaurants
Watching the show can be combined with an amazing dinner with loved ones. Restaurants with a good view of Scarlet Sails:
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- River Lounge. Address: University embankment, 15.
- Volga – Volga. Address: terminal on Petrovskaya embankment, exit No. 1, opposite building 8.
- “Flying Dutchman”. Address: Mytninskaya embankment, 6, near the Exchange bridge.
There are many other terraced bars, restaurants and private rooftops in St. Petersburg where you can watch fireworks. All of the above places are closest to what is happening. It is better to book tables in advance.
