What day do the white nights start from? When do white nights start? What awaits tourists this season
Probably, every tourist who comes to St. Petersburg is concerned about the question of when the white nights begin and end. According to many sources, in 2019 northern capital"cover" this spectacle from June 11 to July 2. That is, it is worth coming to this segment.
But, as many believe (erroneously), that the white nights strictly last in this period of time. In reality, this is absolutely not the case. Therefore, let's look at this topic from a scientific and practical point of view.
- How long is daylight
- Let's summarize
What does the term "white nights" mean?
Strange, but many people confuse them with the polar day, during which the sun does not set below the horizon at all, but, in fact, “floats” along it. If you want to look at this phenomenon, then you should visit cities such as Usinsk, Naryan-Mar, Salekhard or Norilsk.On white nights, the sun sets below the horizon. But, not far away - it falls only behind the line at a small angle. Therefore, it is not a day on the street, but constant twilight. Moreover, the closer you are to the horizon line, the brighter they are.
There is even a so-called division of twilight into “civilian” - the brightest, when no stars are visible in the sky, and “sea” - navigational, when you can see the main stars and you can navigate by them. In the first case, the sun goes below the horizon at an angle of 6 degrees, in the second - up to 12. Also, in the Capital, "civil" twilight lasts only 60 minutes.
So, it turns out that ordinary white nights are when "civil" twilight does not turn into "marine" twilight, but immediately becomes morning. At the same time, each object can be viewed at any time of the day or night without street lighting.
An important nuance! Twilight "from dusk to dawn" can only be observed at latitudes above 60°60′00″, and St. Petersburg is located at a latitude of 59°57′00″. That is, if we take this issue formally, then there are no “white nights” as such. Even at the brightest midnight of June 20-21.
But it's hard to notice, and here's why.
How long is daylight
Let's take the officer's reference table of the average length of daylight hours:
Attention should be paid to the fact that the period from May 21 to the end of July at a latitude of 64 degrees differs in that the day exceeds 19 hours, and only 5 hours “remain” for the whole night, including twilight.
St. Petersburg is located south of this latitude, and the period in which the day length is almost 19 hours will begin from the last week of May and end as early as mid-July.
And if given the short night (together with the time for twilight)? And remember that the city is always more well lit than natural places due to the operation of lanterns and any other lighting devices?
Of course, a brief "real" darkness still occurs, but it is simply impossible to notice with the naked eye. You won’t be able to see the stars either, and you won’t be able to fall asleep with the curtains open either.
In reality, in the Northern capital it is most light at night starting from the end of May and ending in mid-July.
What will the city authorities and tour operators tell us?
With regards to the city government, they are closer to the "practical" point of view. For example, State Unitary Enterprise "LenSvet" is a company that annually approves the schedule for switching on lights in the city.
If you go to their official website www.lensvet.spb.ru and look at the lighting map for the current year, it becomes immediately clear when the white nights begin and end according to the “version” of LenSvet. These are the time periods when the streets are lit only until 3 am - from the end of May to the second week of July.
The federal authorities also agree that it is during this period that the city will be the most presentable for tourists and citizens. For example, the St. Petersburg Economic Forum was previously held in the second half of July (last time it took place from 06/01 to 06/03), and in 2019 the event is scheduled for May 24-26.
Well, with travel companies And operators and at all all understandable. Almost all packages for the "White Nights of St. Petersburg" for the end of May and mid-July have already been sold out. It is at this time that the city is visited largest number tourists.
The season of white nights in St. Petersburg is a favorite time for tourists. Firstly, the white nights in the historical center of the city are very beautiful, the old architecture begins to play with mysterious and even mystical colors. Secondly, this season falls on the warmest time of the year, so night walks do not cause any discomfort. White nights in St. Petersburg - when do they start in 2018, when do they end, is it possible to enjoy the white nights this year.
What are white nights?
The peculiarities of the rotation of the Earth around the Sun are such that in the summer in the northern regions of the planet the daylight hours are very long, and in the winter - extremely short.
As an extreme example, we can take the polar day and polar night. This is conventionally called the whole six months on Far North. locals they hardly see the sun there during the winter, but it does not set at all in the summer. In the evening and at night, the sun crosses the horizon in the north and rises again in the east.
St. Petersburg occupies an intermediate geographical position between regions with "normal" days and nights, and extreme conditions in the far north.
Petersburg white nights are really nights in the sense that the sun is hiding behind the horizon. But it does not set deep, and in fact, during the whole night in the summer, twilight reigns here.
As a result of summer white nights, in winter St. Petersburg plunges into darkness - evening and twilight can begin as early as three or four in the afternoon.
When do white nights start in Saint Petersburg in 2018
It is clear that there is no dependence on a specific year in the dates of the beginning and end of the white nights. The calendar we use is built almost perfectly. A year is almost the exact period of the Earth's rotation around the Sun. A slight inaccuracy is corrected by leap years.
The peak of white nights falls on June 22. This so-called summer solstice is the longest day of the year in the entire northern hemisphere.
Wherever you live, even in the southern latitudes of the country, where the night comes early enough, June 22 will be the brightest day of the year.
The shortest day of the year is December 22. Starting from December 22 and up to June 22, daylight hours increase, and from June 22 to December 22, it becomes shorter and shorter.
Thus, the dates of the beginning and end of the season of white nights in St. Petersburg are rather arbitrary. It is generally accepted that the season of white nights in St. Petersburg lasts from May 27 to July 15.
However, you need to understand that from May 27 to June 22, the nights become increasingly “whiter”, and by July 15 they become relatively darker. However, this does not mean that within the next one and a half to two weeks you will not be able to enjoy the white nights in St. Petersburg. They are still very spectacular and mysterious.
When choosing nightlife in St. Petersburg during the White Nights in 2018, do not forget about one of the main ones - the spectacle of the drawing of St. Petersburg bridges. You can find out the schedule according to which bridges are drawn in.
Of course, people who want to visit the city this year and have never encountered such a phenomenon are interested in the question, when in St. Petersburg there are white nights in 2018?
When the city is "awake"
By the end of May, the night in our northern city becomes very short, and Peter enters a period of “insomnia”. Outside the window it is light day and night, do not fall asleep. Citizens draw thick curtains on the windows, and tourists have the opportunity to extend their acquaintance with the city and stretch the pleasure for as long as 24 hours.
The exact dates of the white nights in St. Petersburg different sources indicate in their own way, changing them from year to year. Based on geographical location cities, white nights in St. Petersburg "start" on May 26, reaching their peak on the day of solar opposition - June 22. They end July 17th.
Festive events in St. Petersburg
During the white nights, the city traditionally hosts many interesting events. You can visit both city holidays and international competitions and festivals. Unlocks the colorful City Festival extravaganza. The International Music Festival “Stars of the White Nights” lasts until the usual “dark nights” return.
City Holiday
The birthday of St. Petersburg is celebrated on May 27. In 2018, this significant date falls on Saturday. The celebration will be held at numerous venues in the city. In the evening, at 9 o'clock, the magnificent annual show "Classics on the Palace" will begin. World-class opera soloists will perform in the open-air format on the square.
International Festival “Stars of the White Nights”
The classical music festival held annually under the direction of Valery Gergiev in 2018 will be held from May 26 to July 23. The best ballet and opera productions will be presented on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater. The audience will be introduced to the premiere screenings. Symphony and chamber orchestras will perform.
Scarlet Sails
For several generations, St. Petersburg graduates have been admiring an unforgettable sight - a schooner with scarlet sails slowly glides along the Neva. They usually try to coincide with the time of the holiday on the day of the solstice (the day off closest to June 22), but changes are possible. The city administration usually announces the exact date of the Scarlet Sails in the last May Days or early June.
International Marathon “White Nights”
In 2018, the marathon traditionally held in St. Petersburg will be held on July 22. The start will be given at 9 am on the Palace Square. The athletes will finish there. Professional athletes will run the usual 42 km 193 meters. Fans are offered a shortened route - 10 kilometers. The track is laid along the central streets of the city. Registration for the marathon started in January.
International Festival “White Night Swing”
Petersburg Jazz Festival usually takes place in the last days of June. The best jazz bands from all over the world perform at the Jazz Philharmonic. The last day of the festival is open-air. Jazz lovers can enjoy free of charge the skill of the performers performing on the site near the Russian Museum. In 2018, the holiday is planned to be held on June 30.
How transport works
On white nights, guests of St. Petersburg can admire the spectacle characteristic of our city - drawn bridges. The spectacle is beautiful, but it is better to enjoy it without leaving the island where your hotel is located. Petersburg is built on islands, a raised bridge can cut you off from your habitat. The night metro train, which allows you to cross the Neva in the section between the stations Sportivnaya and Admiralteyskaya, carries passengers in a limited mode (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays). Night buses duplicate metro lines closed at night from 0 to 6 hours within the islands.
How to get to St. Petersburg
Petersburg can be reached by any means of transport - by train, plane, bus. You need to take care of purchasing air tickets or train tickets in advance, because there are usually a lot of people who want to visit the city, immersed in the mystery of the white nights.
Where to stay in St. Petersburg
mysterious white nights in St. Petersburg, attracting crowds of tourists, affect the level of cost of rooms in hotels. You can get cheap accommodation in numerous hostels and mini-hotels. Comfortable rooms with the necessary minimum of amenities will fully satisfy the needs of those tourists who come to enjoy walks around our city. In order not to run around the city in search of accommodation, it is advisable to book hotels in advance
- Summer in the northern city of St. Petersburg is fraught with surprises. Going for a night walk, take an umbrella and something “warming” with you.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The city is big, you want to see everything, you have to walk a lot.
- When planning your trip, set aside time to visit the palace complexes in the suburbs of St. Petersburg.
- Shops and cafes work in the city at night. If you get hungry, there is where and what to eat.
Our city loves guests. Come at any time, you will always be welcome.
The city of St. Petersburg has always been able to delight with its beauty all the tourists who came here from different countries peace. Most of all, this place is loved by romantics and not without reason, because only in St. Petersburg you can see the white nights, which are calling card cities.
The best time for a holiday in St. Petersburg is the beginning of July. Because at this time you can see the white nights. At this time, a special energy reigns in the city, which can be felt even by the inhabitants of the city. It's incredible when you look at the clock, and it's midnight, and it's light outside.
As you know, on May 20, white nights begin in St. Petersburg. Since then, the sun has not descended to the horizon, and evening twilight turns smoothly into morning. It is worth saying that such a phenomenon can also be seen in other cities of Russia, namely: Perm, Vorkuta, Vologda, Magadan and others. But, the classics of Russian literature, it was Peter who was nicknamed the "City of White Nights."
For a moment it may seem that nature is changing the background, thus making it possible to enjoy the contemplation of the beauties of the city, but only from a different angle. Parks, fountains and palaces, as if shrouded in a star web. The city is immediately filled with romance.
A great memory of this incredible event is always associated with the opening of the Blagoveshchensky and Palace bridges.
Events for white nights in St. Petersburg
During the white nights in St. Petersburg, various festivals, holidays, celebrations and concerts are held. Fans of the classics can plunge into the incredible atmosphere of the Mariinsky Theatre, where the Stars of the White Nights festival will be presented.
But, the most favorite holiday of all graduates and residents of the city is the Scarlet Sails festival. At this time, you can see the beauty of fireworks, light shows that delight all tourists, according to Therussiantimes portal. This event began to be celebrated in 2005 and to this day it is very popular.
Among all interesting events, concerts on the Strelka became mandatory Vasilyevsky Island, as well as performances on Palace Square, and you can’t do without a pyrotechnic show that takes place over the Neva.
Slowly floating down the river big ship with scarlet sails, which serves as a symbol of joy and awakens the city from winter. This event attracts more than 4 million people.
The longest night in St. Petersburg is observed from June 21 to 22, and the day lasts 19 hours. After that, the duration of twilight begins to gradually decrease, and the real night begins in the city. From June 17 on the streets of the city it will be possible to see the first lights at night, this indicates that the season has already ended.
Many people say that if you were in St. Petersburg and did not get to the white nights, then you were not there. After all, many people try to come to this city at this particular period of time in order to see all the beauty with their own eyes.
What is the essence of white nights in St. Petersburg?
There is an opinion that the time of the white nights is the period when the sun does not set below the horizon. In fact, white nights are nights when the illumination does not change, and the night consists only of twilight. The peak of the white nights itself falls on June 22, and officially they last from June 11 and end on July 2. Throughout almost the entire summer, the duration of the day in St. Petersburg is longer than in Moscow.
In cities located north of St. Petersburg, white nights are brighter and longer, for example: in Murmansk and Arkhangelsk. Since Murmansk is located beyond the Arctic Circle, in winter you can see a completely different celestial phenomenon there - this is the polar night. It turns out that there are days when the sun does not rise at all.
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White Nights is one of the most interesting phenomena in St. Petersburg, the northern capital of Russia. White nights are the period when the sunset does not occur. People can only see twilight, so there is enough illumination even for night walks.
Many tourists are interested in when the white nights begin in St. Petersburg in 2018. After all, at this time you can walk for whole nights, enjoy recreational activities, take high-quality photos without using a flash. The long-awaited period falls on the end of June - the beginning of July.
What causes white nights
White nights is a phenomenon that can be explained scientifically. The sun sets below the horizon at an angle of up to 6 degrees, less than usual. The position of the sun determines how dark it can get at a certain time of the day. At the beginning of summer, daylight hours increase, and the geographical position of St. Petersburg leads to the absence of a full-fledged night for a couple of weeks.
White NightsMany tourists compare white nights with ordinary evening twilight, when there is even no need to turn on city lights.
It is not surprising that tourists are interested in knowing when the white nights begin in St. Petersburg and when they need to come for pleasant walks, active tourist leisure in the summer of 2018. The period of white nights usually falls on the second half of June.
However, the indigenous people of St. Petersburg are sure: white nights begin at the end of May and end only in mid-July.
Throughout this time, city holidays, sports and music events are held, which contribute to improving the perception of St. Petersburg and even more attracting tourists to the Northern capital of Russia.
The end of June is the height of the white nights, the peak of the tourist season. Tourists try to book a hotel room in advance and buy a train ticket.
Swinging bridges during white nights Features of leisure in St. Petersburg at the end of June
As soon as, in the summer of 2018, white nights begin in St. Petersburg, festivals, holidays and concerts are activated:
- Classical art lovers try to visit the Mariinsky Theatre, which is an important symbol of St. Petersburg. It is here that the traditional annual holiday "Stars of the White Nights" is held.
- "Scarlet Sails" is a festival that is very important for graduates of St. educational institutions and indigenous people of St. Petersburg. At this time, you can enjoy fireworks, light shows. The main one is held for graduates, but St. Petersburg residents can enjoy fireworks. The Scarlet Sails festival has been held annually since 2005.
- Among the most interesting events are concerts that are held on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island and Palace Square, the embankment.
- From June 21 to June 22, when daylight hours reach 19 hours, many people enjoy night walks. In addition, the photographs taken surprise with their beauty.
At the end of June, twilight gets shorter and shorter. After the second half of July, a full-fledged night begins, indicating the end of the peak tourist season. If you are interested in when the white nights begin and end in, you need to focus on the second half of June 2018.
Scarlet Sails For a vacation in St. Petersburg during the white nights, you need to prepare correctly. It is advisable to take into account various tips:
- It is advisable to book accommodation in advance. However, even with this approach, it is undesirable to focus on a large discount, since in the Russian hotel business there are practically no special offers. For budget tourists, hostels are available, which sometimes offer good living conditions. You need to prepare for the fact that even in an ordinary hostel the cost of living will reach 500-600 rubles due to the high demand of tourists.
- During the white nights, prices for all goods become very high.. All goods and drinks on the main St. Petersburg streets can only be bought at high prices, so it is advisable to take care of the possibility of saving.
- Various cultural events are held annually in St. Petersburg. When planning your leisure time, it is advisable to take care of buying tickets for concerts and exhibitions in advance. A number of matches are also held in Saint Petersburg in 2018.
Security measures are always organized at a very high level to guarantee the protection of the entire society. For this reason, you need to be prepared for possible enhanced checks.
When the period of white nights in St. Petersburg begins and ends, many beginners and sophisticated tourists are interested, but for the convenience of rest, you can plan a trip in the second half of July, when the city will delight you with beautiful night illumination and the bridges will still be raised as before.
