Belarus Events Calendar
DECEMBER 2025
Premiere of Black Castle movie based on Vladimir Korotkevich’s novel
The Black Castle is a modern adaptation of Vladimir Korotkevich's historical detective novel ‘The Black Castle of Olshany’. Forty years have passed since its first screen adaptation: a film of the same name by director Mikhail Ptashuk was premiered in 1984. This time, screenwriter Gleb Shprigov and director Kirill Kuzin took on the task of reinterpreting the novel. Even before the official premiere in Minsk, The Black Castle won the Special Jury Prize of the Feature Film Competition and the Special Prize “Cinema without Borders” of the CIS Executive Committee at the Minsk International Film Festival Listapad 2024. According to the plot of the historical drama, young professor Anton Kosmich (Evgeny Shvarts) finds himself in trouble after an ancient gospel belonging to the Olshany family finds its way into his antique store. To save himself and unravel the secrets of the past, he goes to Olshany... The screen adaptation of one of the most famous works of Belarusian literature was attended by Anastasia Krasovskaya, Evgeny Stychkin, Evgeny Shvarts and Vitaly Kishchenko.
When: 12 December 2024 - 2 December 2025
Where: cinemas in Belarusian cities
Exhibition celebrating People's Artist of Belarus and USSR Stefaniya Stanyuta
The exhibition dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the People's Artist of Belarus and the USSR Stefaniya Stanyuta explores her life and artistic career. The exhibition features photos, texts of roles, manuscripts, drawings, correspondence with the family and friends, critics' and admirers' reviews, documents. Visitors to the museum can see photos of the outstanding artist with her son Aleksandr, a writer, who dedicated a book to her, the documents related to the Second Belarusian Drama Theater in Vitebsk where many Belarusian artists started their careers after training with the great masters in Moscow in the 1920s. Hsving completed the training in the studio of the Moscow Art Theater in 1931, Stefaniya Stanyuta joined the First Drama Theater (now – Kupalovsky theater) where she served for 70 years, starring in about 200 roles and becoming a true legend!
When: from 13 May 2025
Where: Belarusian State Archives Museum of Literature and Art, 4 Cyril and Methodius Street, Minsk
Exhibition celebrating Frantsishak Bogushevich in Minsk
Matei Burachok and Simon Reuka from Borisov were the playful pseudonyms adopted by the outstanding writer, lawyer, and public figure Frantsishak Bogushevich for his literary persona. His famous poetry collections “Dudka Belaruskaya” and "Smyk Bielaruski", originally written in the Latin script, are now published in Cyrillic, while the older authentic copies have become extremely rare. However, real artifacts from the past were sent to the Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature from the village of Kushlyany in Smorgon District, Grodno Oblast, where the writer grew up. Visitors to the exhibition, dedicated to the 185th anniversary of Frantsishak Bogushevich, will have the opportunity to explore the world of the estate and wander the winding paths of the poet, as well as see a 19th-century buffet from the dining room that belonged to the Bogushevich family.
When: Until 28 December
Where: State Museum of the History of Belarusian Literature, 13 Bagdanovicha Street, Minsk
Exhibition "Nabivanka: Tradition and Modernity" in Polotsk
“Nabivanka” or relief block printing is a fabric decoration technique using a block of wood with a relief pattern that became widespread in the 16th - 17th centuries in Vitebsk, Mogilev, Polotsk, Orsha, and Bobruisk. These Belarusian cities housed the largest workshops at that time. Nabivanka was used to decorate home textiles (tablecloths, towels, sheets) and fabrics for costume elements like sundresses, shirts, and aprons. Visitors to the exhibition will experience the craft tradition on two levels: the historical level, showcasing the emergence and development of nabivanka in the 19th century - early 20th century in Belarus, and the modern level, reflecting the revival and reinterpretation of this ancient craft in the works of contemporary artisans.
When: 19 September 2025 –31 January 2026
Where: Museum of Traditional Manual Weaving of the Poozerye, 1 Voikova Street, Polotsk
'The Twilight of the Middle Ages' interactive exhibition project in Minsk
Visitors to the Minsk archaeological museum "Upper Town" will embark on an interactive journey into the mysterious and gloomy Middle Ages (12th - 16th centuries), often referred to as the Dark Ages in human history. It's no wonder: just five centuries ago, every European city had a scaffold in the market square and gallows at the city gate. The exhibition on justice features interrogation methods and instruments of torture used during the Inquisition and the witch hunts: shame masks, the rack, the pillory, the Spanish boot, the garrote, the witch's bridle... Artifacts created for the project using historical techniques are accompanied by engravings, drawings, and paintings depicting them in use, along with historical commentary.
When: 19 September 2025-18 January 2026
Where: Upper Town Archaeological Museum, 6 Kirill and Methodius Street, Minsk
Price of War exhibition at Great Patriotic War Museum in Minsk
One of the most visited museums in the Belarusian capital and the first in the world dedicated to the bloodiest war of the 20th century will, for the first time in its more than 80-year history, present an exhibition of currency notes. The main highlights will be two collections: of paper money (bonistics) and coins (numismatics) comprising 1,600 items. Visitors will see currency notes, bonds, and coins from the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition and their allies the Soviet Union, the United States, Great Britain, and France and from the axis nations Germany, Japan, Italy, and the countries they occupied. The exhibition will be supplemented with items from other collections of clothing, weapons, and military hardware.
When: 21 October – 22 December
Where: Belarusian State Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War, 8 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk
Concerts to mark 20th Anniversary of the Valaam Monastery Choir in Belarus
The Valaam Monastery Choir is celebrating its anniversary with a tour. The choir was created for the occasion of the restoration and consecration of the Valaam Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in August 2005. The uniqueness of this musical group lies in its dual role as both a liturgical choir and a concert-performing ensemble. Accordingly, its repertoire, spanning songs, romances, and sacred music, is dedicated to the theme of love. The audience will enjoy the atmosphere of the ancient chants for which the Valaam Monastery is famous and will follow the key life paths of Christ, traveling through time to the lands of Greece, Serbia, and Argentina. The second part of the program will feature the best works from the choir's repertoire, dedicated to Faith in God and Love for the Homeland.
Where, when:
28 November – Pinsk City House of Culture, 7a Lenin Square, Pinsk
29 November – Grodno Regional Philharmonic, 17 Gornovykh Street, Grodno
30 November – Oblast Social and Cultural Center, 1 Kommunisticheskaya Street, Brest
1-2 December – Minsk Tractor Palace of Culture, 24 Dolgobrodskaya Street, Minsk
3 December – Social and Cultural Center, 17 Lange Street, Gomel
4 December – Vitebsk Regional Philharmonic, 69 Lenin Street, Vitebsk
Armor exhibition at Nesvizh Palace
Throughout the year, visitors to Nesvizh Palace can immerse themselves in the world of ceremonial and hunting weapons. Outstanding examples of officers' dress weapons (daggers, rapiers, shashkas, sabers), coat swords and departmental swords, Masonic ritual swords, and exotic weapons from various countries… These valuable artifacts have been collected and provided by private collector Anatoly Grishuk.
As the owner noted, his interest in the history of weapons first emerged when he found a 1932-model uhlan saber that had belonged to his father. His grandfather served in the Imperial Army and was on the security detail of Nicholas II when the monarch visited our region for military maneuvers in 1892. The exhibition also explores the culture of hunting, where weapons are not only objects of art but also symbols of power and instruments for demonstrating mastery over nature.
A real draw of the exhibition is an installation of a rider on a horse clad in the shining armor of a Winged Hussar of the Grand Duchy of Litva (Lithuania). Guests will also have the opportunity to try on medieval armor, experience its weight, and take photos alongside a figure of Nicholas Radziwill nicknamed the Orphan.
When: 31 October 2025 – 31 October 2026
Where: National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve Nesvizh, 2 Zamkovaya Street, Nesvizh, Minsk Oblast
Faïbich-Schraga Zarfin exhibition in Art-Belarus gallery
Faïbich-Schraga Zarfin, a native of the Belarusian town of Smilovichi, went down in history as an outstanding 20th-century artist, a representative of the Paris School, alongside such famous fellow countrymen as Marc Chagall, Chaim Soutine, Michel Kikoïne, Pinchus Kremegne, Léon Bakst, and Nadia Khodasevich Léger. Zarfin's signature technique was his mixing of gouache and oil paints. This very method became the secret behind the translucent, stained-glass-like decorativeness and high color saturation of his works. For the first time in Minsk, the exhibition features over 80 pieces by the artist: unique “kaleidoscopes” crafted from light and color, as if refracted through the lens of objective reality. The display will be complemented by an installation by Alexander Truskovsky dedicated to reinterpreting Faïbich-Schraga Zarfin’s works.
When: October 31 – December 28
Where: Palace of Art, Art-Belarus Gallery, 3 Kozlova Street, Minsk
‘Over the City’ exhibition to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Mikhail Chepik
The exhibition marathon celebrating Belarusian artist Mikhail Chepik continues with Over the City timed to the master's centenary. The exhibition features over 80 pieces of painting and graphic art, reflecting the main directions and stages of his creative biography. Indeed, it is his brush that created the recognizable image of Minsk, distinguished by its vibrant color and unexpected aerial perspective. Visitors will see panoramic Minsk cityscapes, atmospheric watercolor works from the 1960s, and pencil sketches depicting scenes of urban life. The exhibition also features Belarusian landscapes, works themed around the Great Patriotic War, and pencil sketches from the life of the Opera and Ballet Theater from the master's graphic diary, who worked as a set designer for 35 years.
When: 13 November – 14 December
Where: Mikhail Savitsky Art Gallery, 15 Svobody Square, Minsk
Forgotten Art of Correspondence exhibition in Grodno
For the first time, visitors to the Grodno Historical and Archaeological Museum will have the opportunity to glimpse into the letters of historical figures from Belarus from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The exhibition features the official correspondence of King Stephen Báthory, the private correspondence of Kossovo Palace owner Wandalin Puslovsky (also spelled as Puslowski) and his daughter Marta Krasinska, historian and local lore expert Alexander Yelsky and Eliza Orzeszkowa, a writer from Grodno. A special section is dedicated to letters from the Great Patriotic War period and correspondence of Belarusian writers Yakub Kolas, Vasil Bykov, Mikhas Vasilek, and Aleksei Karpyuk. The exhibition is complemented by various writing instruments, including inkwells, ink bottles, fountain pens, pen boxes, pencils, a paper tray, and paperweights…
When: From November 20
Where: Grodno Historical and Archaeological Museum, 20 Zamkovaya Street, Grodno
Premiere of The Nutcracker at Belarusian Bolshoi Theater
The premiere of a new version of The Nutcracker at the Belarusian Bolshoi is timed to celebrate the 185th anniversary of Pyotr Tchaikovsky and the Year of Tchaikovsky. The fairy-tale ballet first appeared on the country's main stage in 1982, created by conductor Alexander Anisimov, choreographer Valentin Yelizariev, and set designer Yevgeny Lysik. A new interpretation of Hoffmann's story will be presented by choreographer and libretto author Igor Kolb. For him, this is already the third original ballet on the stage of the Belarusian Bolshoi Theater: the repertoire already includes the mystical drama Giselle, Illusions of Love and Dances, a collection of one-act ballets. “Everyone is looking forward to a beautiful, sparkling, glittering, snowy story with frost patterns on the windows. After all, the main thing about The Nutcracker is the fairy tale itself,” Igor Kolb said.
When: 28 November 2025 – 29 March 2026
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoy Kommuny Square, Minsk
Ryazan Drama Theater's tour in Minsk
The tour will open with the premiere of the tragicomedy “Connoisseurs of the Female Heart”. This is a touching and philosophical production that transports viewers to the 1920-1930s and explores the themes of human relationships, the value of life, and love. Gogol's “The Marriage” directed by Maksim Larin, will invite the audience to reflect on those for whom matrimony represents a radical life change, an upheaval of their established bachelor lifestyle, a “deprivation of peace”. Scapin the Schemer , a sparkling comedy with elements of farce by Anastas Kichik, will take viewers to a fantastical Neapolitan port, where the cunning servant Scapin weaves intrigues, deceiving the wealthy and aiding lovers. The tour will conclude with the New Year's comedy Jack, a story about how far we are willing to go for our loved ones, and how one person is not just a friend to another, but a necessity.
When: 4–7 December
Where: Belarusian State Academic Music Theater, 44 Myasnikova Street, Minsk
“A Winter Tale and Cats!”: The Kuklachev Cat Theater in Minsk
The Kuklachev Cat Theater, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year, is listed in the Guinness World Records as the world’s only professional cat theater. The oldest artist in the troupe – a cat named Kartoshka (“Potato”) – is already 21 years old! Famous for its one-of-a-kind shows, the theater delights audiences with feline stunts while being guided by a core philosophy of kindness and animal welfare. In the new show, which features four dozen cats, Merited Artist of Russia Dmitry Kuklachev, the son of the theater’s creator, the legendary trainer Yuri Kuklachev, will invite the audience on a journey through a magical forest…
When: 5–7 December
Where: Central House of Officers, 3 Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, Minsk
“The Belovezhskaya Fairy Tale 2025” at Father Frost’s residence
The festive event at Father Frost’s Belovezhskaya Pushcha residence celebrates the opening of the winter tourist season and the arrival of his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden. Guests of the fairytale residence can expect a packed program, including a welcome ceremony for the Snow Maiden, Mother Winter, and her daughters Frost, Blizzard, and Snowstorm; a procession of the Father Frost Orchestra; the “Lights of Winter” festival; the ceremony of lighting the first New Year’s lights followed by a fire show; the “Kind Magicians” animators festival; performances by ensembles and soloists from across the country; contests, games, and songs. The event will feature engaging tours along the routes “Fairytale Path” and “Meeting with Father Frost”.
When: 6 December (10:30 AM – 6:00 PM)
Where: Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Kamenyuki village, Kamenets District, Brest Oblast
“Golden Trumpet of Jazz” tribute to Eddie Rosner in Gomel
Eddie Rosner, an outstanding musician, virtuoso violinist and trumpeter, and charismatic conductor and arranger, rose to fame in the 1940s by leading Belarus’ first State Jazz Orchestra. Under his direction, the ensemble quickly became the premier and most sought-after pop-jazz group in the Soviet Union. To mark the 115th anniversary of the maestro’s birth, the Mikhail Finberg National Academic Concert Orchestra of Belarus, under the baton of its Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Maksim Rassokha, will present a tribute concert. The program will feature 1940s jazz compositions from the repertoire of the State Jazz Orchestra of the BSSR, alongside works by composers including Yuri Belzatsky, Evgeny Grishman, Benny Goodman, Eduard Artemyev, Evgeny Glebov, W.C. Handy, and Juan Tizol.
When: 10 December
Where: Gomel Community Center, 16 Irininskaya Street
Lumiere Tales concert at the Minsk Planetarium
The Belarusian band Lumiere Tales, known for blending rhythmic electronica with sensual soul, will once again gather audiences under the dome of the Minsk Planetarium. The musicians invite music connoisseurs to experience “Under the Starry Sky of Belarus,” where they can enjoy the twinkling of distant constellations accompanied by famous melodies from Belarusian composers. The program will feature works by Igor Luchenok, Vladimir Olovnikov, Vladimir Mulyavin, Vasily Rainchik, Igor Palivoda, Symon Rak-Mikhailovsky, and Michał Kleofas Ogiński, as well as original compositions by Ivan Solas and Andrei Sokolov.
When: 11-12 December
Where: Minsk Planetarium, 2 Frunze Street, Minsk
Magic Windmill arts and crafts fair in Minsk
Belarus’ largest handicraft exhibition, Magic Windmill, boasts a 15-year history and is held three times a year (in autumn, winter and spring). The most significant of these is the pre-Christmas one, a four-day gathering that brings together several hundred artisans, designers, artists, and craftspeople from across the country. Visitors to the fair can purchase designer clothing and accessories, exclusive home decor, arts and crafts supplies, and unique New Year’s gifts like holiday souvenirs and postcards, paintings, dolls, toys, and farm products. Beyond the extensive marketplace, the program also includes master classes and fashion shows.
When: 11–14 December
Where: Exhibition Complex, 14 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk
Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum
A cornerstone of the December music season, the Minsk International Christmas Opera Forum, marks its 15th anniversary this year, gathering outstanding performers from across the globe on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus.
The anniversary program will open with a premiere of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s The Maid of Orleans, a true gift to audiences celebrating the 185th anniversary of the composer’s birth. The production is directed by the renowned Georgiy Isaakyan, People’s Artist of Russia. According to the director, this is one of the most rarely performed operas on the world stage, as its performance requires a high level of troupe, including soloists, chorus, and orchestra. The title role will be performed by international competition laureate Daria Gorozhanko (11 December) and Honored Artist of the Republic of Belarus Oksana Volkova (12 December).
Schedule:
11–12 December – The Maid of Orleans, opera by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus
16 December – The Master and Margarita, opera by the Samara Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
19 December – Eugene Onegin, opera featuring soloists Dmitry Zuev and Natalia Petrozhitskaya
20 December – Acis and Galatea, opera premiere by the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus
21 December – Gala concert of laureates of the International Glinka Competition of Vocalists timed to the 100th anniversary of great Russian singer Irina Arkhipova who chaired the jury of the competition for forty years.
Where: National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus, 1 Parizhskoy Kommuny Square, Minsk
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Evgeni Plushenko’s Sleeping Beauty ice show at Minsk Arena
In 2025, one of Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s most celebrated ballets, The Sleeping Beauty, marks the 130th anniversary of its premiere at the Mariinsky Theatre. This magical and life-affirming story, based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault, has been reimagined for the ice by two-time Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko.
To bring his vision to life, Plushenko has masterfully blended the artistry of ballet with the athleticism of figure skating, assembling a stellar cast for this large-scale production. The show will feature Olympic champions Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova, who will perform the role of the fairy Carabosse. The leading roles of Prince Désiré and Princess Aurora will be portrayed by Alexander Plushenko and Elena Kostyleva. They will be joined by skaters Makar Ignatov and Alexander Samarin, as well as the rising stars of the Angels of Plushenko Figure Skating Academy Sofia Titova, Veronika, and Alyona Zhilina.
When: 13-14 December at 12:00 PM
Where: Minsk Arena, 111 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk
Meeting Place – New Year!: A new show at Belarusian Circus
Just in time for the winter holidays and our most beloved celebrations, the Belarusian Circus is proud to present a brand-new show. The audience will be plunged into a magical atmosphere at the show Meeting Place – New Year!, whose storyline remains under wraps.
The circus show will feature a dazzling array of performers, including aerial gymnasts, trampoline acrobats, jugglers, equestrian riders, clowns, and trained ponies and dogs. And of course, there will be plenty of surprises!
When: 13 December 2025 – 11 January 2026
Where: Belarusian Circus, 32 Nezavisimosti Avenue, Minsk
Living Poetry festival in Minsk
For the second time, Living Poetry will gather a constellation of modern reciters and poets in the Belarusian capital, including Anna Yegoyan, Georgy Alansky, Kristina Novikova, Roman Fandorin, and Ani Aspeti. The evening’s guests will be transported into a world of lyricism, love, and romance, set to a musical score by composer Eduard Nazarov that provides a delicate sonic backdrop for each piece. The unique quality of the event is that it is not merely a poetry recital, but an artist’s full embodiment of the text. This is why every line, whether from a classic or a contemporary work, resonates in a special way, strikes a chord within the listener’s soul, and fills the space with meaning.
When: 18 December
Where: Minsk Concert Hall, 5 Oktyabrskaya Street, Minsk
DEPECHE MODE – ENJOY THE SYMPHONY TRIBUTE SHOW in Minsk
Depeche Mode is one of the most successful electronic bands in the world. A pioneer of synth-pop and 1980s new wave, the group became famous for its innovative sound, introspective lyrics, and unique visual style. The musicians have released numerous hits, including Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence, and have sold over 100 million albums worldwide. In 2018, the British band’s third concert in Minsk took place at Minsk Arena, drawing a crowd of around 13,000 fans! This time, the audience will hear Depeche Mode’s hits performed by the official tribute band DEVOTION MODE, accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
When: 20 December
Where: Palace of Sports, 4 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk
White Elephant Quest at Mir Castle
For a century now, Mir Castle has been the keeper of the legend of the White Elephant, a story that visitors are invited to uncover at one of Belarus' most beautiful landmarks, a UNESCO World Heritage site. To successfully overcome the challenges created by the castle’s keeper, participants will need to demonstrate logic, wit, and a knowledge of Belarusian history. The quest is designed for groups of 15 to 50 people, as well as individual teams of one to five players.
When: 20 December 2025; 24 January and 14 February 2026
Where: Mir Castle, 2 Krasnoarmeyskaya Steet, Mir, Korelichi District, Grodno Oblast
The Magic of the New Year: National Christmas Tree at Palace of the Republic
The Magic of the New Year will be a memorable gift for the participants of the Our Children charity campaign who will come to the celebration in the Belarusian capital from all over the country (last year, the campaign united over a million Belarusians and 2,370 children). The New Year’s fairy tale unfolds in a town of artisans, home to families of potters, weavers, bakers, and blacksmiths. According to the plot, the main character, a lazy boy named Vasilyok, who wants to neither study nor work, gets swept up in a whirlwind of magical adventures. With the help of Father Frost, the Snow Maiden, and Mother Winter, he discovers that true magic is born from hard work, knowledge, and love for one’s homeland. The story is filled with new songs, dynamic dances, and interactive games inspired by folk traditions and crafts, featuring hundreds of performers, as well as vibrant sets and special effects.
When: 25 December 2025 – 3 January 2026 (11:00, 15:00, 17:00)
Where: Palace of the Republic, 1 Oktyabrskaya Square, Minsk
Kolyady Folk Rite at Open-Air Museum
For the ancestors of Belarusians, Kolyady (Christmas) was considered the main winter holiday in the calendar, as the folk rite was connected to the winter solstice and symbolized the beginning of the new year. Nowadays, for Catholics, the festive weeks span from 24 December to 6 January, while in the Orthodox tradition, they are celebrated from 6 January to 19 January. You can witness this ancient rite and take part in it at the famous Belarusian open-air museum (skansen). The celebration program includes a procession of carolers going from house to house, a performance by a traditional puppet theatre - a batleika, folk dances, winter pastimes and games, as well as herbal tea treats.
When: 27 December
Where: Belarusian State Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Lifestyle, village of Ozertso, Minsk District
Grand New Year piano concert in Upper Town
An experimental concert, a challenge for Minsk residents and city visitors, has been prepared by pianists Alexey Timonin, Yulia Pereu, Ilya Petrov, and Anastasia Alekseychik, who promise to ignite a fire in the hearts of the audience and send them on an exciting musical journey from classical to modern hits. In the evening, the works of outstanding composers will resonate through the capital’s Upper Town, including pieces by Alexander Tsfasman, Astor Piazzolla, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Aram Khachaturian, Johann Strauss, Georgy Sviridov, and John Williams.
When: 28 December
Where: Upper Town Concert Hall, 23A Svobody Square, Minsk
SONORUS: Symphonic Show Christmas
A Christmas journey for connoisseurs of timeless classics, organized by the Sonorus musical chapel, will transport the audience through the music of different countries and continents to the very heart of Bethlehem, where the infant Jesus was born over two thousand years ago. Guests can expect a thrilling evening featuring over 100 symphony orchestra musicians, a choir, vocalists, as well as a drumming and dance show. The program includes legendary works, Christmas hymns, and modern compositions in unique arrangements, such as: A Little Drummer Boy, O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Carol of the Bells, Mary Did You Know, Silent Night, Joy to the World, When You Believe...
When: 30 December
Where: Palace of Sports, 4 Pobeditelei Avenue, Minsk
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