Moscow will celebrate its 879th birthday on September 5 and 6 — Saturday and Sunday. The date is fixed: it has been announced on the official mayor's website, where the program of events is also published.
The main thing to know in advance: this year's festival is organized by districts, not just the city center. And not everything labeled "City Day" is free.
When and how many years
The celebration takes place on the first weekend of September — the 5th and 6th. The city is turning 879 years old.
Two days is an important detail for planning: if Saturday is busy, the entire program is repeated on Sunday, though the lineup of events at the venues differs.
Free food is available in every district.
The city administration's message is clear: free performances, concerts, and fairs will take place in every district of the city. This changes the usual strategy of "heading to the center and fighting through the crowds."
The practical takeaway is simple. The center will be packed on September 5 and 6: road closures, crowds, long café lines. The district program offers the same—stages, fairs, kids' activities—but just 20 minutes from home and without the crush. If you've been to Moscow before and "seeing Tverskaya" isn't the main goal, the local option wins.
Not everything is free, even though it goes by the same name.
The city's event listings marked "City Day" are a mix of free and paid activities. At the time of checking, some of the events included tours starting at 700 ₽.
So before you leave, check the price in the event card. "City Day" in the headline is the theme, not a promise of free entry.
Where to watch the program
The only source you should trust here is the event listings on the official Moscow city government website. The program is posted there and updated right up until the weekend itself: new venues are added, and times are adjusted.
It's most convenient to filter by your district and the dates of September 5-6, as this excludes both the city center and anything happening on other days.
Salute honestly
On September 1, the official program did not list the time or locations for the fireworks. That's normal—such details are usually announced closer to the date.
Therefore, we do not list any locations or times—figures from previous years do not apply to this year. Check the program a day or two before the holiday.
How to get there
During the holiday weekends, the center is usually partially closed off, and the metro becomes not just a more convenient option than a car, but the only sensible choice. If you rarely use it, our guide will come in handy: how to use the Moscow metro — maps, fares, and transfers.
If you stay out late, the metro closes around one in the morning. Night buses come to the rescue then: routes and schedules are available there as well.
What to see if you're visiting this weekend
The program is all well and good, but the city won't go anywhere after the holiday either. If you have a free day, check out what you can see in Moscow for free — the list works on any weekend, not just holidays.
Photo: Perituss · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons, cropped. Dates and program verified on September 1, 2026, according to the Moscow Mayor's Office event listings.
