Things to Do in Saint Petersburg in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Saint Petersburg
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- White Nights begin late May - the sun barely sets after May 25th, with twilight lasting nearly all night by month's end. You get usable daylight until 11pm, which means you can pack museums, canal walks, and rooftop dinners into impossibly long days without feeling rushed.
- Fountain season opens officially on May 18th at Peterhof - this is actually a big deal because the Grand Cascade looks completely different when the 64 fountains are running versus the dormant winter months. The opening weekend draws crowds, but by late May you get the full spectacle with manageable visitor numbers.
- The city shakes off its winter hibernation in May - locals flood the parks, outdoor cafes open their terraces along Nevsky Prospekt, and there's genuine energy you don't feel in the colder months. The Neva embankments become evening promenades, and you'll see Saint Petersburg as residents actually experience it.
- Shoulder season pricing without shoulder season weather - hotels drop rates 20-30% compared to peak June-July, but you're getting 15-18°C (59-64°F) afternoons perfect for walking. Early May still catches low-season prices on flights from most European cities.
Considerations
- Weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might get a string of 18°C (64°F) sunny days, or you might get three days of 9°C (48°F) drizzle. Pack for both scenarios because May sits right in that transition zone where winter systems still occasionally push through.
- The Neva River doesn't fully warm up until June, which means those romantic canal boat tours run in chilly conditions. Even on warm afternoons, you'll want a windbreaker on the water - the breeze off the Gulf of Finland cuts through light layers.
- Some palace parks look scraggly in early May - the gardens at Catherine Palace and Pavlovsk are still filling in, and you won't see the full floral displays that make summer visits spectacular. If manicured gardens are your priority, you're visiting about three weeks too early.
Best Activities in May
Hermitage Museum Extended Sessions
May gives you the perfect excuse to spend 4-5 hours inside the Winter Palace without feeling guilty about missing sunshine - because honestly, those 10 rainy days mean you'll likely hit at least one grey morning. The museum stays comfortable year-round, and May crowds are maybe 60% of July levels. The later sunset means you can visit 2-6pm, emerge into evening light, and still have hours of daylight for dinner and walking.
Peterhof Palace and Gardens
This is THE activity to time right in May - go after May 18th when fountains are running, ideally on a weekday in the fourth week of May. You get operational fountains, emerging gardens that look decent if not peak, and crowds maybe half of what you'll battle in July. The hydrofoil boats from the city start running in May weather permitting, giving you that classic arrival by sea. Temperature-wise, expect to layer - mornings start around 10°C (50°F) but afternoons hit 15-17°C (59-63°F) which is ideal for the 2-3 hours of walking the grounds require.
Neva River Evening Walks and Bridge Openings
Late May transforms this experience because White Nights are starting - by May 25th onwards, you get that ethereal never-quite-dark twilight that Saint Petersburg is famous for. The bridges over the Neva open for ship traffic around 1:30-4:30am, and locals gather on the embankments to watch. In May you can do this without freezing - bring a light jacket but temperatures stay around 12-14°C (54-57°F) even at 2am. Palace Bridge draws the biggest crowds but Lieutenant Schmidt Bridge gives you the same experience with 70% fewer people.
Catherine Palace Day Trip to Pushkin
The palace interior is the real draw here - the reconstructed Amber Room alone justifies the trip, and May's variable weather makes this indoor-focused excursion smart planning. The surrounding parks look okay in late May, better than early May when everything is still waking up, but you're really going for the baroque excess of the palace rooms. Crowds build as month progresses but still manageable compared to summer crush. The 25 km (15.5 miles) trip south takes about 40 minutes by suburban train or marshrutka.
Mariinsky Theatre Ballet and Opera
May is actually ideal for theatre because the season runs through May before summer break - you get full company performances, not the reduced summer schedule. The historic Mariinsky Theatre offers that imperial Russia atmosphere, while the newer Mariinsky II has better sightlines and acoustics. Evening performances work perfectly with May's extended daylight - you can sightsee until 7pm, catch an 8pm curtain, and still see the city in twilight when you exit around 11pm.
Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral
The fortress sits on an island with full exposure to Neva winds, which means May's variable weather hits harder here than sheltered streets. That said, the cathedral interior where Russian emperors are buried stays comfortable, and you can duck into the fortress museums if weather turns. Late May afternoons around 3-5pm often offer the best conditions - temperatures peak, and you get beautiful light on the golden spire. Budget 2-3 hours including the beach area where locals sunbathe on any day above 15°C (59°F).
May Events & Festivals
Peterhof Fountain Opening Ceremony
May 18th marks the official start of fountain season at Peterhof - they do an actual ceremony with music and choreographed water displays. It's become a proper event that locals attend, not just a maintenance switch-flip. The Grand Cascade comes alive with all 64 fountains operating, and the difference versus the dormant winter months is dramatic. Gets crowded on opening day itself, but establishes that late May is when you want to visit Peterhof.
City Day Preparations and Spring Festivals
Saint Petersburg's official City Day falls on May 27th, and the city starts ramping up events in the week prior. You'll see outdoor concerts in park spaces, street food festivals along Nevsky Prospekt, and the general vibe shifts as locals celebrate. It's not a massive tourist draw like some European city festivals, but it adds energy and gives you a window into how residents mark the occasion. Fireworks typically happen on the evening of May 27th over the Neva.