What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of August 14–16: Music Festivals, Ethnic Events, Concerts, and Exhibitions

More than 50 events at Bouquet Kyiv Stage, Klavdia Petrivna’s first Kyiv concert in two years, a music exhibition about Boris Lyatoshynsky, and ethnic festivals — mid-August in Kyiv will bring together music, contemporary art, traditional culture, and outdoor events. We’ve rounded up the events taking place in Kyiv on August 14–16.

Bouquet Kyiv Stage Festival

Bouquet Kyiv Stage will be held for the ninth time at the “Sofia Kyivska” National Preserve. Over four days, the venue will host more than 50 events combining music, painting, film, theater, guided tours, workshops, and “Conversations Under the Ash Tree” with cultural and public figures.

The program includes the multimedia project “The Triumph of the Bouquet” featuring works by Oleksandr Dubovyk, a memorial concert for Nazgul Shukayeva, Yuliia Lazarevska’s exhibition “Time of Manifestation,” the documentary “Veterans’ Theater” by Yuliia Bolshynska, the play “Zobeida,” and scenes from Alla Zahaikevych’s opera “Brother Li Bo… Friend Du Fu…”. Musical participants include the National Presidential Orchestra, the Kyiv Chamber Choir, “Kyiv Camerata,” and Mariia Kvitka. Bendidik Hofset, Sebastian Studnitzky, Yogev Shetrit Trio, Ivan Yanakov, and other international musicians will also come to Kyiv.

Admission: with a ticket to the preserve — UAH 500, discounted — UAH 250

“Lyatoshynsky. Reflection” Exhibition

The Ukrainian House will open its first music exhibition — “Lyatoshynsky. Reflection,” dedicated to Boris Lyatoshynsky. The composer’s historical context, creative journey, and personality will be explored through archival documents, manuscripts, and personal belongings.

The exhibition will be complemented by a mirrored installation, soundscapes, audiovisual works, and specially recorded interviews about Lyatoshynsky. According to the curators, the composer transformed the sound of Ukrainian classical music and influenced the development of the modern musical tradition.

Admission: free for the opening, then — UAH 90–180

Klavdia Petrivna Concert

Klavdia Petrivna will perform in Kyiv for the first time in two years. The singer’s solo concert will take place at Feels Garden.

The artist will present a live program featuring her well-known songs. Organizers describe the concert as one of the singer’s final summer performances in the capital, although they have not yet revealed additional details about the set, special guests, or new material.

Admission: UAH 990–1340

Charity Evening at “Kurenivski Kontserti”

A musical evening will be held at “Kurenivski Kontserti” to support service members and the families of the 125th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade of the Third Army Corps.

“Kurhan i Ahrehat” will headline the event. Brykulets, “DK Enerhetyk,” Surov, and Mykhailo Kukuiuk will also perform, with each artist playing three to four songs. A charity auction will take place at the end of the evening. All proceeds from ticket sales and the auction will go toward supporting wounded soldiers, as well as the families of fallen, missing, and captured service members of the 125th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade.

Admission: UAH 500–6000

“Pesyky Fest”

“Pesyky Fest” will take place at VDNG — a festival focused on responsible dog ownership, pet care, and interaction between animals and their owners.

At the lecture hall, experts will discuss dogs’ health, training, and psychology, while the practical program will include dog-training sessions. Workshops, quests, and other interactive activities will be held for children and adults. Dogs will have access to mazes and obstacle courses, while the market will offer accessories, treats, and other products.

Admission: UAH 150–300

KimFest 3.0

KimFest 3.0, a festival dedicated to Korean pop culture, will be held at Retroville. The program will combine music, dancing, a themed market, cosplay, and activities for K-pop fans.

The festival will feature a K-pop concert, Water Random Dance, and cover dance team battles. There will also be a K-Market with themed merchandise and cosmetics, a Korean food zone, quests, interactive locations, and photo zones.

Admission: from UAH 250

Ethnic Festival with “Vytoky”

An ethnic festival inspired by the traditions of Makovii and Spas will be held in the park area near River Mall. The musical program will feature performances by LELÉKA and “ShchukaRyba.”

The program will also include wreath-making with wild herbs, candle-making with beeswax, a workshop on traditional Ukrainian fabric stamping on tote bags, and traditional Ukrainian games for children. The festival will feature themed installations, photo zones, and a first-aid space by the “Hospitallers.” One of the central activities will be the collective recreation of a large Makovii cross topped with a pumpkin, following local traditions from southern Kyiv Oblast and the adjacent part of Zhytomyr Oblast.

Admission: free

“Electro Summer”

Feels Garden will host the “Electro Summer” concert, bringing together artists and projects working across electronic music, indie, pop, and hip-hop.

The lineup will feature avant-pop project DONBA₴GRL by Viktoriia Leleka, Love, Mary, Yulia Yurina, indie-electronic band “Tonka,” and rapper Otoy. The event is designed as a joint concert program showcasing different directions in contemporary Ukrainian music.

Admission: UAH 800–1700

YAKTAK Concert

YAKTAK will perform at “Kurenivski Kontserti” for the second time this summer. The singer will return to the venue with a program featuring his previously released songs.

The setlist includes “Endorphin,” “Sky,” “Gaze,” “At Night,” “Goodnight,” “Left,” “People,” “To the Soundless,” and other songs by the artist.

Admission: UAH 850–8000

“From the Beauty of Japan” Exhibition

The “From the Beauty of Japan” exhibition is currently on view at the Museum of the History of Kyiv, created to mark the 55th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Kyiv and Kyoto, with the support of the mayors of both cities and the Embassy of Japan in Ukraine.

The exhibition is arranged as a journey through seven sections: “Spring Awakening,” “Bushido,” “Summer,” “Autumn,” “Rainy Season,” “Winter,” and “Dialogue Between Cities.” It features paintings from the Nanga school, kabuki theater dolls, samurai armor, tea ceremony objects, musical instruments, and edged weapons from the early 18th century. A separate immersive space is dedicated to suminagashi, a Japanese water-marbling technique. The exhibition’s title refers to an essay by Yasunari Kawabata.

The exhibition will run until October 25.

Admission: please check with the museum

“Pop Hits” Concert

On the terrace of River Mall, the GosOrchestra will perform contemporary international pop songs in symphonic arrangements. The program features a total of 19 numbers.

They include Dua Lipa’s Don’t Start Now, Beyoncé’s Halo, Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, Rihanna’s Where Have You Been, and Woodkid’s Run Boy Run. The rest of the program will also consist of orchestral versions of contemporary pop compositions.

Admission: UAH 450–1290

Chamber Music Evening at St. Catherine’s Church

The National Chamber Ensemble “Kyiv Soloists” will perform at St. Catherine’s Church under the direction of conductor Antonii Kedrovskyi.

The evening’s program will feature works by four composers — Antonio Vivaldi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Alessandro Rolla, and Antonín Dvořák.

Admission: please check with the organizers

Gratitude to Giya Kancheli

Caribbean Club will host Gratitude to Giya Kancheli — a concert program marking the birthday of Georgian composer Giya Kancheli.

Aniko Dolidze, together with Ukrainian jazz musicians, will present the program “Music for Theater and Film.” It will feature Kancheli’s works written for cinema and theatrical productions, in jazz arrangements by composer and pianist Rodion Ivanov.

Admission: UAH 590–1490