Annual Icebreaker Festival kicks off in Russia's St. Petersburg

4/5/2025 13:49

Tugboats performed a choreographed water show on the Neva River on Saturday as part of the Icebreaker Festival, a signature event in St. Petersburg that marks the start of the city's tourist season.



This year's festival, which runs from Thursday to Sunday, also commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.



The organizers offer visitors free access to three iconic icebreakers -- the Captain Nikolaev, Mudyug, and Captain Plakhin. The festival also features creative workshops, interactive activities such as the "Marine School," orchestra performances, retro fashion shows and lectures.



First held in 2014 to mark the 150th anniversary of Russia's icebreaker fleet, the Icebreaker Festival has since grown into a major seasonal event. According to the city administration, last year's event drew a record 38,400 visitors over four days.