What’s on in Moscow This Weekend: Concerts, Performances, and More

This weekend, May 30th and 31st, as well as other upcoming dates, Moscow offers a vibrant array of events to make your time enjoyable. Here’s a selection of must-visit venues and happenings.

Concerts

“Two Geniuses: Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff”

A concert will take place at the Alexander Shilov Gallery featuring laureates of international and all-Russian competitions, students from the P.I. Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, brothers William and Saveliy Khaylo. The evening is dedicated to two great Russian composers whose lives were intertwined: Pyotr Tchaikovsky supported the young Sergei Rachmaninoff, paving his way to recognition.

When: May 30th.

Where: 5 Znamenka Street.

“Melodies of Love”

At “Musical Apartment on Tverskaya,” the vocal trio “Relikt” – Honored Artists of Russia Alexander Nikeryev (tenor), Vyacheslav Moyunov (guitar, baritone), and Alexey Leonov (guitar, baritone) – will present their program “Melodies of Love.” The performance will feature popular Russian romances and popular hits, including works by Tikhon Khrennikov, Boris Mokrousov, and Pavel Aedonitsky.

When: May 30th.

Where: 16/23 1st Tverskaya-Yamskaya Street, Building 1.

“Georgian Polyphony”

The group Acappella Saqartvelo will showcase unique Georgian polyphony at the Moscow International House of Music. The program aims to evoke the national character and spirit of the high mountains. Expect to hear ancient songs from various regions of Georgia, church chants, and urban romances.

When: May 31st – July 12th.

Where: 52 Kosmodamianskaya Embankment, Building 8.

“Musical Journey. Part 1”

The Gilyarovsky Center will host the first concert of the “Musical Journeys” series. Students and faculty from the Gnesins Russian Academy of Music, along with international competition laureates, will perform Edvard Grieg’s “On the Mountains and Fjords…”, the suite “From Holberg’s Time” (Op. 40), selected lyrical pieces, and Six Romances for voice and piano (Op. 4).

“Musical Tribute to Sergei Yesenin” by the “1502” Creative Association

The “Yesenin Center” will host “Musical Tribute to Sergei Yesenin,” presented by the “1502” creative association. The first part will feature students from the Gnesins Music College performing classical piano pieces and their own compositions. The second part will be a theatrical performance based on facts from the poet’s biography, blending music, poetry, and stage action. Young musicians will explore Yesenin’s legacy, uniting different facets of his work and life.

When: June 1st.

Where: 4 Chernyshevsky Lane, Building 2.

Excursions

“Writer’s Laboratory” Guided Mediation Tour

The K.G. Paustovsky Museum invites you to a guided mediation tour titled “Writer’s Laboratory,” dedicated to Tatiana’s Day. Participants will delve into Konstantin Paustovsky’s creative process, view his working manuscripts from the museum’s collection, and understand how the writer developed his literary ideas. The mediation format encourages active participation, allowing guests to step into the role of co-authors and gain a fresh perspective on the legacy of one of the founders of modern Russian literary language.

When: May 30th.

Where: 8 Kuzminskaya Street.

Guided Tour of the S.P. Korolev House-Museum

This joint excursion will introduce visitors to the authentic home of the chief designer of spacecraft, Sergei Korolev, in Ostankino. The exhibition features personal belongings, documents, photographs, household items, artworks, and scientific-technical and art libraries. The house, built in 1959 and designed by architect Roman Semerdzhiev, was gifted to Korolev by the state for his role in creating and launching the first artificial satellite of Earth in 1957.

When: May 30th, 2026 – January 31st, 2027.

Where: 28 1st Ostankinskaya Street.

“Expedition to Japan”

The Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve invites you to the “Expedition to Japan” excursion. Stroll through the alleys of the Biryulevo Arboretum to discover plants that are symbols of Japan and learn about their representation in art and philosophy. Engage with Japanese traditions through active and board games. Additionally, a creative masterclass will be held where participants can create pictures from dried plants using the oshibana technique.

When: May 31st.

Where: 5A Lipetskaya Street.

“The House at Tverskaya, 14” Guided Tour

The N.A. Ostrovsky “Integratsiya” Cultural Center offers a guided tour of “The House at Tverskaya, 14.” Visitors can explore all the institution’s exhibitions and learn about the history of the building, constructed in the late 18th century by architect Matvey Kazakov.

When: May 31st – December 27th.

Where: 14 Tverskaya Street.

Lectures

“Evening School ZIL. The Sacred Beyond Religion: A Sociological Intervention”

Evgeny Dobrov will discuss with Polina Chudina, a Master of Sociology and research fellow and lecturer at the St. Tikhon Orthodox Humanitarian University, the topic “The Sacred Beyond Religion: A Sociological Intervention.” The discussion will explore sociological approaches to understanding the sacred, its manifestations in non-religious contexts, and methods for studying this phenomenon.

When: May 30th.

Where: 4 Vostochnaya Street, Building 1.

“Angels and Symbols of Vvedenskoye Cemetery”

The Museum of the History of Lefortovo invites you to a lecture from the cycle “Secrets and Mysteries of Vvedenskoye Cemetery,” focusing on the symbols adorning tombstones and sculptures. Guests will learn the story behind the angel on the grave of the Adelheim brothers and Maxim Erlangena, the meaning of the letters “alpha” and “omega,” and other signs. The speaker will also explain why there is a sculpture of Dante at Vvedenskoye Cemetery and what the poppy on a gravestone signifies.

When: May 30th – June 27th.

Where: 23 Kryukovskaya Street.

Museum and Educational Program “Clever and Wise Needlework”

The Bread House will host an educational tour of the “Magnificence of Russian Costume” exhibition. Participants will learn about traditional Russian attire, headwear for married women and girls, and the main types of handicrafts. The program also includes creating a souvenir using one of the embroidery techniques.

When: May 31st.

Where: 1 Dolskaya Street, Building 4.

“Anatomy: 20 Astonishing Questions”

A new anatomy session for those already familiar with the human body. Guests will discuss 20 (or perhaps a few more) surprising anatomical secrets that can sometimes puzzle adults. Participants will have the chance to guess the purpose of medical instruments, see real X-rays and vessels, and get answers to their questions.

When: May 31st – June 28th.

Where: 15 Malaya Gruzinskaya Street.

“Mineralogy”

The “Zaryadye Park” Scientific and Educational Center “Zapovednoye Posolstvo” invites you to a session dedicated to mineralogy. Participants will learn basic skills for identifying rocks and minerals based on various characteristics and properties, and discover how to make collecting natural treasures a simple and engaging pursuit.

When: June 1st – June 10th.

Where: 6 Varvarka Street, Building 1.

Exhibitions

“In the Lens of Sovremennik”

The Other Stage of the Moscow “Sovremennik” Theater is showcasing works by the renowned journalist, writer, and photographer Yuri Rost, who for many years was closely associated with the theater and documented its history through his photography. As a close friend of Sovremennik, he captured the theater’s life from within: during rehearsals, premieres, tours, and anniversary celebrations.

When: May 31st – June 28th.

Where: 17 Chistoprudny Boulevard, Building 1.

“The Fragile Companion”

The Kuskovo Estate invites you to an exhibition dedicated to the cane, which became popular in Europe in the 17th-18th centuries. From the 1730s onwards, ladies also began to use this accessory intermittently.

When: Until June 7th.

Where: 2 Yunosti Street.

“Sergei Andriyaka. Hymn to Watercolor”

The exhibition features over 100 works by People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Sergei Andriyaka, as well as over 50 of the best works by art educators, students, and pupils from the school and academy of watercolor founded by him.

When: Until May 31st.

Where: 6 Varvarka Street, Building 1.

“Not Exact Time”

The “Zdes’ na Taganke” Gallery, part of the “Exhibition Halls of Moscow” association, presents the exhibition “Not Exact Time” by Inna Kryzhanovskaya and Alisa Vlasova, dedicated to memory, childhood, and the subjectivity of recollections.

When: Until June 14th.

Where: 31/22 Taganskaya Street.

“Magnificence of Russian Costume”

The Bread House at the Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve has opened an exhibition dedicated to the collection of Natalia Shabelskaya. The exposition showcases over 450 items from 19 museums and private collections, including examples of festive folk clothing, headdresses, jewelry, embroidery, weaving, chintz printing, and gold lace from the late 19th century.

When: May 30th – June 4th.

Where: 1 Dolskaya Street, Building 4.

Performances

“Chance Encounters”

The “Sovremennik” Theater will stage “Chance Encounters,” based on the works of Ivan Bunin, directed by Gulnaz Balpeisova. This lyrical theatrical tapestry is woven from the writer’s stories, centering on the eternal theme of love. The creators of the play explore its various manifestations: passionate and shy, doomed and inspiring, mutual and unrequited.

When: May 30th – July 22nd.

Where: 17 Chistoprudny Boulevard, Building 1.

“Too Married Taxi Driver”

The Moscow Academic Satire Theatre invites you to the performance “Too Married Taxi Driver,” a comedy by Ray Cooney. A chance accident disrupts taxi driver John Smith’s routine life, initiating a series of absurd situations that culminate in complete chaos. The protagonist tries to navigate his predicament, but the more he lies, the more tense the situation becomes.

When: May 30th – August 20th.

Where: 2 Triumfalnaya Square, Building 1.

“Dogs”

The Theater on the South-West will present the parable-play “Dogs.” A pack of stray dogs, or as they call themselves, free spirits, has taken up residence in a ravine on the outskirts of a former village. Soon, a high-rise building will be constructed in its place, leaving them with nowhere to go. Each has been abandoned by their owner – betrayed by their best friend, forgotten by those they considered family. They all believe that every dog deserves a person. People pass by the ravine, cars rush past, and the pack looks hopefully into faces, as it is so important to find one’s Person.

When: May 31st – October 31st.

Where: 125 Vernadsky Prospekt.

“My Life”

The Et Cetera Theatre will show “My Life,” based on the novella by Anton Chekhov. The nobleman Misail decides to work as a simple painter. He believes it’s not shameful to engage in physical labor, but rather to shuffle papers, seeing no heroism in his action. However, in a small provincial town, this is an extraordinary event; some despise him, while others see him as an outstanding person who has dared to rebel. Bored young ladies seek his acquaintance. Masha, the daughter of a wealthy engineer, decides to become his wife to improve the world together.

When: May 31st – June 13th.

Where: 23 Myasnitskaya Street.

“I am a Clown, or KOTOconstruction”

The Kuklachev Cat Theater invites you to the performance “I am a Clown, or KOTOconstruction.” It is dedicated to the stars of world clowning: Charlie Chaplin, Leonid Yengibarov, and Charles Adrien Wettach (stage name Grock). Honored Artist of Russia Dmitry Kuklachev has fulfilled his long-held dream by staging a performance dedicated to the idols of his youth. Embodying their characters and performing their routines, he has enhanced the acts with cat tricks.

When: June 2nd – June 14th.

Where: 25 Kutuzovsky Prospekt.