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- "Scarlet Sails" – 2026: date, what time is the start and what will surprise the organizers
"Scarlet Sails" – 2026: date, what time is the start and what will surprise the organizers
The Scarlet Sails Alumni Celebration has been one of the most recognizable symbols of St. Petersburg for more than half a century. Every year, thousands of yesterday's schoolchildren gather in the heart of the Northern Capital to celebrate graduation and see the legendary Brig Rossiya. When the holiday will take place in 2026, who will be able to get to the Palace Square and what is known about the program — in the Izvestia material.
What is the "Scarlet Sails" holiday and why has it become legendary?
The Scarlet Sails Alumni Celebration has long gone beyond the usual school graduation and turned into one of the most grandiose events in St. Petersburg. It gathers tens of thousands of graduates every year, and millions of people in Russia and abroad watch the broadcast. The main event of the holiday is the passage of the brig Rossiya with scarlet sails along the Neva River as part of a large—scale water and pyrotechnic show.
The holiday owes its name to Alexander Green's famous fairy tale "Scarlet Sails". The story of Assol, who believed in the fulfillment of her dreams and waited for the ship with scarlet sails, became a symbol of hope, growing up and the beginning of a new stage in her life. Today, Scarlet Sails is considered one of the business cards not only of St. Petersburg, but also of the whole of Russia.
When will the "Scarlet Sails" take place in 2026
In 2026, the Scarlet Sails festival will be held on June 27 during the White Nights season. At this time, the city is practically not immersed in darkness, which allows you to create a unique atmosphere for a nighttime water and pyrotechnic show.
What time does the show start and where to watch the holiday in St. Petersburg
Traditionally, the Scarlet Sails program consists of two parts. The first one takes place on the Palace Square, where a big concert is organized for graduates. Performances of youth groups will begin at 20:00, and Russian pop stars will perform at 22:00.
After midnight, the audience's attention turns to the Neva River. The main part of the celebration unfolds here — the passage of the brig Rossiya with scarlet sails and a large-scale water and pyrotechnic show. This part is considered the highlight of the event.
The best way to watch the fabulous water and pyrotechnic show remains the annual TV broadcast. Thanks to modern shooting technologies, viewers all over Russia will be able to see the legendary Brig Rossiya in every detail.
What program is expected at the "Scarlet Sails" – 2026
In 2026, the concert part of the program will be dedicated to the dreams that accompany a person throughout his life. A "City of Dreamers" will be built on the Palace Square, where the most cherished desires of graduates will come true. The guests will enjoy not just a musical show, but a multi-layered story about the choice of a life path, inner strength and the future that each person creates for himself.
Graduates will become not only spectators, but also full-fledged participants, co-authors of the entire evening. Their journey through the "City of Dreamers" will be divided into several thematic blocks. In the block with the conditional name "School History", the children will once again find themselves in the schoolyards of St. Petersburg, where they fell in love, made friends, shared their dreams, listened to their favorite music and came to classes with their favorite teachers.
In the following blocks, graduates will go beyond the city limits and address the topic of the unity of the country. They will hear the stories of people from different parts of Russia who themselves once entered adulthood, and are now ready to share their experiences and inspiration with the younger generation. The program will also include mass interactive episodes such as "folk karaoke".
The concert on Dvortsovaya Square will end with the symbolic construction of the ship. Before the eyes of the audience, it will transform from a child's drawing into a magnificent sailboat, ready to embark on a great voyage. This metaphor will reflect the main idea of the holiday: dreams are born inside us, and it is man who is able to bring them to life.
Who will perform at the "Scarlet Sails" in 2026
The list of artists who will take part in the celebration in 2026 will be announced soon. Performers popular with several generations of Russians will take the stage.
Over the years, Sergey Lazarev, Polina Gagarina and other famous artists have participated in the concert on Dvortsovaya Street. The organizers try to shape the program in such a way that it reflects the musical preferences of modern graduates.
How the "Scarlet Sails" holiday appeared
The history of the holiday began in Leningrad in 1968. The idea of creating a special graduation party for schoolchildren appeared in the wake of the popularity of Alexander Green's work. That year, about 25,000 young people gathered on the Neva embankment to watch the ceremonial passage of the yacht Metalist under scarlet sails. The side of the ship was decorated with a glowing inscription "Secret" — that was the name of the ship on which Assol and Gray sailed away at the end of the story.
The Soviet stage of the Scarlet Sails' history lasted until 1979. During this time, the main "hero" of the holiday, the ship, changed several times. In 1970, the Metalist was replaced by the schooner Leningrad, created on the basis of the German captured vessel Der Seeteufel, and in 1971 the Neva caravel joined it. From 1972 to 1979, the Bermuda schooner Kodor, previously used as a fishing vessel, participated in the celebration together with Leningrad. However, then the bright tradition was interrupted.
The Scarlet Sails holiday was revived after a long-term hiatus in 2005 on the initiative of ROSSIYA Joint Stock Bank, the Government of St. Petersburg and Channel Five. And in 2019, Scarlet Sails received its own ship, the snow—white two-masted brig Rossiya. And since 2022, the holiday has also been held in the twin city of St. Petersburg, Mariupol.
What is known about the salute and passage of the brig Rossiya with scarlet sails
The appearance of the brig Rossiya with scarlet sails in the waters of the Neva River remains the main tradition of the holiday. It is this moment that is considered the culmination of the entire event and arouses the greatest interest among the audience.
In 2026, the brig Rossiya will repeat the route of last year: it will start at the Senate Square, pass under the Palace Bridge, and then make a 360-degree turn opposite the Winter Groove. After that, the ship will continue moving towards the Troitskiy Bridge to greet all graduates. The return route will run from Troitsky to the Palace Bridge along the Palace Embankment.
How to get to the "Scarlet Sails" for graduates and viewers
The main participants of the holiday are graduates of St. Petersburg schools. Special invitation cards are provided for them, which are distributed through educational institutions. Accompanying teachers can attend the event together with graduates.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
