Idemvgorodan independent guide to city weekends in Russia's large cities

An independent guide to city weekends. Not connected with the former events listing on this domain; we do not sell tickets. Check dates, prices and admission rules with the organisers and venues.

Trip planning

How to plan a city weekend around a concert

The main article in this section: how to plan a trip to another city for a single concert or show without losing the rest of your weekend. The result: your ticket is bought from a trusted seller, the refund rules are clear, your accommodation and travel are chosen with the evening in mind, and your two-day programme is realistic and leaves time to rest. There are no specific venues, hotels or prices here, only the order of steps and where to check current terms.

Ticket first, then accommodation, then everything else. Change the order and your weekend will end up bending around chance.

— Editor's note

Before you start

  • The event you're travelling for: a concert, a show or an exhibition
  • Rough dates for the trip and a list of what else you'd like to see
  • An idea of your budget for tickets, travel and accommodation
  • A passport or other ID for buying train or plane tickets and for checking in
  • A smartphone with official transport apps and an offline map of the city

  1. Find the event and check the source

    Look for listings on the venue's official website or the artist's official channels. If you found the announcement on a third-party site, check the date and venue against the original source.

    Spotted an announcement on social media? Open the venue's website and check whether the event is in its listings.

  2. Buy your ticket from a trusted seller

    Buy on the venue's website or from the seller it links to. Save the e-ticket and the receipt.

    If the venue links to a specific ticketing service, follow that link rather than an ad in search results.

  3. Understand the refund rules

    Under Article 52.1 of the Russian Fundamentals of the Legislation on Culture, if you cancel no later than 10 days before the event you get 100% back, no later than 5 days at least 50%, and no later than 3 days at least 30%. If the event is cancelled, replaced or postponed, you get a full refund. These are Russian rules; elsewhere they differ.

    If your plans might change, sort out the refund early, while a full refund is still available.

  4. Choose accommodation with the evening in mind

    Look for somewhere you can easily get back to after the event: on foot or without changes. Since 2025, Russian municipalities may introduce a tourist tax, which is included in the price of a hotel stay.

    If the concert ends late, accommodation within walking distance of the venue saves you hunting for a taxi.

  5. Plan your journey to the city and back

    Arrive with time to spare so a delay doesn't make you late, and if the event is in the evening, book your return no earlier than the next morning.

    A train that arrives during the day of the concert leaves you time to check in and walk to the venue at a relaxed pace.

  6. Put together a two-day programme

    On the day of the event, a light walk around the centre; on day two, a museum and the embankment. Don't overload the day when there's a concert in the evening.

    The local history museum in the morning, a walk along the embankment in the afternoon and a rest at your accommodation before heading out to the show.

  7. Prepare a backup plan

    Keep a list of indoor places in case of rain and know how to return your ticket if the event is postponed. Save the number 112.

    If the concert is postponed, decide whether you'll go on the new date or return the ticket: a postponement means a full refund.

Common mistakes

  • Buying tickets from touts or through an ad link without checking the venue's website
  • Booking accommodation and travel before you've bought the ticket for the main event
  • Booking your return journey for right after an evening event ends
  • Not finding out in advance how to get back from the venue late at night
  • Planning a long walking route and a museum on the day of the concert
  • Relying on old announcements: dates, prices and venues may have changed since

Alternatives

  • Short on time? Choose the "one concert, one day" format and a short walk around the centre
  • Don't like getting back late? Choose daytime shows and concerts
  • Travelling with children? Look for daytime shows and check the age rating
  • Want more walking? Swap the evening event for the embankment and parks route

Pre-trip checklist

  • The event has been checked on the official website of the venue or the artist
  • The ticket was bought from the venue or the seller it links to; the e-ticket and receipt are saved
  • The refund rules under Article 52.1 are clear
  • Accommodation was chosen with the journey back after the event in mind
  • The journey to the city and back is planned with time to spare
  • The two-day programme is ready, and the backup plan and the number 112 are saved
  • Transport

    The metro in the cities on our list, getting to the venue and back at night, taxis and car sharing.

  • Attractions

    The places people usually see in large cities and how to choose a venue for a concert or a show.

  • Local guide

    City etiquette, safety and what to do if a concert is cancelled or postponed.

Sources

  • Fundamentals of the Legislation of the Russian Federation on Culture (Art. 52.1)
  • Tax Code of the Russian Federation (Ch. 33.1 "Tourist Tax")
  • Gosuslugi (Russian public services portal): Pushkin Card
  • Official websites of city transport operators and venues

Information is correct as of the date of preparation. Concert and performance dates, ticket prices, transport timetables and venue rules change, so check them with the organisers and on official websites before you travel.