Key dates

  • 1776founding of the Bolshoi Theatre
  • 1856start of Tretyakov’s collection
  • 1898founding of the Art Theatre
  • 1912opening of the Pushkin Museum

Where to go

01 / 04

The stage as tradition

Opera and ballet at the Bolshoi, drama from the Maly to the Vakhtangov, experimental stages and musicals.

  • Bolshoi Theatre
  • Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre
  • Maly Theatre
  • Vakhtangov Theatre
  • Taganka Theatre

Planning a cultural programme

Tickets for popular performances and exhibitions sell out early, so follow the listings on the official websites. Many museums run evening hours and free days — the venues publish their own schedules.

Cultural life is not limited to halls: in summer the parks have open-air stages, outdoor cinemas and lecture series, and on holidays the centre becomes a festival ground.

An independent overview. Check timetables, fares and visiting rules on official websites.