From late May to early July nights are bright in St. Petersburg
Millions of tourists take the opportunity and explore the magic of St. Petersburg in this unique and enchanting light
St. Petersburg becomes exceptionally popular during the short summer season - called White Nights - when the sun never sets, and crowds flock into the streets, walk along rivers and canals, and night is as bright as early evening.
St. Petersburg is the only metropolis in the world where such a phenomenon takes place every summer.
It is a great time for lovers and high school graduates who usually get their diplomas around June 21 - 22.
The nature of the White Nights can be explained by the geographical location of St. Petersburg. It is the world's most northern city with a population over 1 million.
St. Petersburg is located at 59 degrees 57' North, which is approximately on the same latitude of Oslo, Norway, the southern tip of Greenland and Seward, Alaska.
Due to such high latitude the sun does not go under the horizon deep enough for the sky to get dark. The dusk meets the dawn. And it is so bright that in summer they do not turn street lights on.
During those unique days and weeks the annual White Nights Festival is traditionally held.
The White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg is an annual international cultural event during the magical season of the Midnight sun
The White Nights Festival includes a great program of ballet, opera and classical music performances.
St. Petersburg's famous Mariinsky Theatre hosts Stars of the White Nights Festival - an eclectic program of world class performances.
Finishing at midnight, audiences leave the theatre while the sun still shines and many take the opportunity to marvel the spectacle.