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Moscow
An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow’s most romantic and entertaining options for a night on the town. The glittering six-tier auditorium has…
Moscow
An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow’s most romantic and entertaining options for a night on the town. The glittering six-tier auditorium has…
St Petersburg
St Petersburg's most spectacular venue for ballet and opera, the Mariinsky Theatre is an attraction in its own right. Tickets can be bought online or in…
Taras Shevchenko National Opera Theatre
Kyiv
Performances at this lavish theatre (opened 1901) are grandiose affairs, but tickets are cheap. True disciples of Ukrainian culture should not miss a…
Jūrmala
This legendary open-air concert hall (there is a roof, but no walls) dates back to 1897. Now modernised, there are two stages – one large and one small –…
Central Rīga
Important and contemporary repertory theatre. Attracts big names like Mikhail Baryshnikov, who premiered his play White Helicopter here in 2019. Many…
Serbia
Reminiscent of Belgrade's ultra-cool KC Grad, this NGO-run, basement cafe-club organises all manner of alternative events from concerts, exhibitions and…
Ufa
It's worth venturing out of the centre of town for a night of soulful music, and Ufa Jazz Club delivers. Live-music performances include local jazz bands…
Old Rīga
Short organ concerts are held in the evening throughout the week, with lengthier performances on Friday nights. Buy tickets in advance in summer.
St Petersburg
This magnificent venue is just one part of an immaculate architectural ensemble designed by Carlo Rossi. The theatre’s interior oozes 19th-century…
Kyiv
Originally the Kyiv Merchants' Assembly headquarters, this beautiful building is now home to the national orchestra, plus many other musical treats.
Belgrade
A Savamala stalwart (it's been running since 2009), this wonderful warehouse space promotes local creativity with workshops, exhibitions, a restaurant…
St Petersburg
This illustrious stage delivers the Russian ballet or operatic experience, complete with multitiered theatre, frescoed ceiling and elaborate productions…
Moscow
Renowned performance artist Boris Yukhananov has revived this old theatre as Moscow's hottest venue for experimental performance and visual art. Dance,…
Arbat & Khamovniki
This giant stadium (home to football club FC Torpedo) is the capital's largest, seating nearly 81,000 people. The stadium is part of the Luzhniki Olympic…
Tuva
The Tuvan National Orchestra has a large studio within the Centre for Tuvan Culture – between 10am and 2pm most weekdays tourists are welcome to sit in on…
Bucharest
Housed in a restored heritage building, Point is a three-floor cultural hub fostering contemporary arts through exhibitions, screenings, artist…
Moscow
This theatre company was founded in 1991 by then-mayor Luzhkov and artistic director Evgeny Kolobov. Maestro Kolobov stated, ‘We do not pretend to be…
Kyiv
Definitely check the website to see what's going on here, as they draw some really top-notch international music talent, especially jazz and blues. In the…
Nikulin Circus on Tsvetnoy Bulvar
Moscow
Founded in 1880, this circus is now named after beloved actor and clown Yury Nikulin (1921–97), who performed at the studio here for many years. Nikulin’s…
Moscow
Often called the most influential theatre in Europe, this is where method acting was founded over 100 years ago, by Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko…
Kyiv
This industrial-style multistorey venue, complete with roof terrace, caters to all musical tastes – from techno to heavy metal – with a sprinkling of…
Bucharest
This is a favourite among club-goers who like alternative, turbo-folk, indie and garage sounds. Hosts both live acts and DJs, depending on the night.
Sofia
This trendy, art-house cinema does triple duty as a contemporary art gallery and a secluded, garden drinking spot.
Veliko Târnovo
Marvel as Veliko Târnovo's Tsarevets Fortress skyline is bathed in multicoloured light and lasers during the Sound & Light Show. This 40-minute…
City Centre
The city’s biggest classical concerts, and indeed some of Estonia's most significant ceremonies and celebrations, are held in this double-barrelled venue,…
Kalamaja & Telliskivi
The art collective PADA's summer-only Kultuurikatla Aed is a great place to catch live music, DJs and other performances beneath trees strung with fairy…
Mariinsky Theatre Primorsky Stage
Vladivostok
This impressive new theatre is the Far Eastern stage of the venerable Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg and is the best place to see serious classical…
Constanţa
Legendary rock club with a rep that goes back to the '90s for bringing to Constanţa Romania's biggest rock and metal acts. Check the walls for a list of…
Kazan
Contemporary art gallery and performance space, dedicated to the visual arts, including film, photography and painting. Check in during your visit to find…
Arbat & Khamovniki
This huge circus holds 3400 spectators, but the steep pitch means that everyone has a view of the action. The company includes hundreds of performers –…
Arbat & Khamovniki
At this unusual theatre, acrobatic cats do all kinds of stunts for the audience’s delight. Director Yury Kuklachev bristles at the use of the word 'train'…
Sofia
This slick venue, located in the National Palace of Culture (NDK), is the city's largest live-music club. All swished up in cabaret style, it hosts local…
Vilnius
Closed over the summer season, in the darker months this atmospheric cellar hosts live jazz acts – both homegrown talent and acts from abroad. Cover…
Bucharest
Run by students, this underground club is a classic and beloved by all who go there. Most weekends bring live music, with anything from rock and pop to…
Bashkir State Opera and Ballet Theatre
Ufa
A beautiful, historical theatre popular with locals and travellers alike. It's also the theatre where Rudolf Nureyev took his first steps.
Sochi
Many of Russia’s top music acts play in Sochi – most at this massive hall with its front open to the sea embankment below.
Western Estonia & the Islands
This striking riverside glass-and-steel auditorium with first-rate acoustics is considered the best concert venue in Estonia.
Old Rīga
Home to the acclaimed Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, Great Guild dates to 1854.
St Petersburg
Finally opening its doors in 2013 after more than a decade of construction, legal wrangles, scandal and rumour, the Mariinsky II is a showpiece for St…