Karelian people are keeping the ancient traditions of their ancestors, which makes it especially attractive to cultural and event tourism. There a number of different festivals and holidays, from traditionally religious to modern ones, which are held only once or twice a year. Almost each city of the republic has its own Day of the city.
Winter:
- Hyperborea winter festival (February, Petrozavodsk) – within the scope this festival enjoyed so much by citizens and guests of the city there is annually held book and art exhibitions, concerts, competitions and other events devoted to living in the North. The key event of the celebration program is the international competition of snow and ice sculptures.
- Fathers Frost Festival (December, Olonets) – every year Grandfathers Frost from different towns gather to try themselves in different competitions. For another three days Olonets townspeople and guests enjoy shows, games, comic sports competitions, and exhibitions.
- Dog-sledding racing (December, January, March) - the latest kind of tourist entertainment has become popular among professional sportsmen and amateurs. Only sincere love of two living beings with big hearts, The Man and The Dog, has a power to conquer the icy spacious area of Karelian taiga.
- OpenKarelia international snowmobile festival (January, Olonets) – one of the most exciting festivals in Karelia.The itinerary of race goes through wild forests of north Russia, ice of lakes and rivers, along abandoned villages and the shore of the largest lake in Europe - Ladoga. If you are not interested in a competition you can take part in adventure riding.
- Lahdenpohja rally (January, Lahdenpohja district) – with the most attractive kinds of sports, the rally is included in the inter-regoinal list of competition.
Summer:
- Kindasovo humor festival (June) – as a capital of national Karelian humor, it has welcomed guests since 1985. On the central meadow and on thematic platforms you can see performances of folklore bands, get acquainted with articles of national arts and crafts, and participate in different contests, side-shows and competitions.
- Onego regatta (July, Petrozavodsk) - the Sailing Regatta Onego traces its history to 1972, and since long ago it has become one of the trademarks of our region. As a tradition, the Onego Regatta is the main and the most prestigious sports event in the republic.
- Festival “Illusions of the Old Town” (Petrozavodsk) - On the City Day celebrations in June Kizhi museum invites visitors and guests to historic quarter which will be temporarily turned into a historic theatre. You are going to plunge into the atmosphere of old Russian provincial town and spectate recognizable, symbolical scenes of urban life and culture of XIX – XX centuries.
Spring:
- Festival “Olonets, goose capital” - In May, the biggest “hopping airfield” in Europe for migratory birds appears in the fields surrounding Olonets. These days an unusual festival called “Olonets, Goose Capital” is traditionally organized here. Its main event – the Olonets goose race – is held in the central square of the town.
- Tivdia whitewater freestyle competitions (May) – the competitions take part in May in the village Tivdia and gather the sportsmen on the shores of the river Shuya that is famous for its extreme rapids.
Autumn:
- Kalevala Fest international music festival – this remarkable event in Petrozavodsk has become the best project of the company Around.ru. It joins international musicians with different musical styles on one stage.
