What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of May 15–17: Concerts, Markets, Festivals, and Exhibitions

Kyiv is in for another packed May weekend: major open-air concerts, electronic music and Ukrainian culture festivals, literary walks around the city, Vyshyvanka Day markets, and exhibitions about memory, warmth, and rebirth. This weekend, you can attend Boombox’s first Kyiv concert in four years, listen to MÉLOVIN and ZWYNTAR, visit the “Strichka” festival at Closer, or spend a day surrounded by books, art, vintage finds, and local brands. 

We’ve gathered the main events taking place in the capital on May 15–17. 

ZWYNTAR Concert

Ukrainian dark-country band ZWYNTAR will perform an open-air concert at Feels Garden. The program includes guitars, banjo, percussion, two-part vocals, and lyrics filled with the band’s signature gloomy atmosphere.

The audience will hear familiar songs, including “Mexican” and “The Boat,” as well as new material.

Admission: from UAH 1000

“Kyiv Texts” Literary Tour

The “Sens” bookstore is hosting the “Kyiv Texts” literary tour dedicated to the city, its streets, and books. In May, when chestnut trees bloom in Kyiv, participants will follow a route through texts and places connected to the city’s memory.

The tour will be led by bookseller Daryna.

Admission: registration required

Boombox Concert

Boombox will give their first concert in Kyiv in four years and present their mini-album “Alive.” The program will combine new material with the band’s well-known songs — from acoustic tracks to rock’n’roll.

Guest artists joining the concert include Zhenia Halych, Sasha Chemerov, DOMIY, FROLOVA, and KHOVANKA. 

Admission: from UAH 2100

“Waiting for Warmth” Exhibition

The Anatolii Varvarov exhibition “Waiting for Warmth” is currently on view at the Kyiv Art Gallery. The project reflects on the past winter as a collective experience of tension, anxiety, and waiting for light.

In the artist’s works, icy landscapes, a mammoth, compasses, icicles, and paper boats become symbols of vulnerability, survival, and hope. The exhibition explores how people endure the trials of war and gradually learn not only to survive, but also to preserve their sense of life.

Admission: UAH 50–100

MÉLOVIN Concert

In May, MÉLOVIN will perform an open-air show at Feels Garden. Organizers are preparing a conceptual performance where light, sound, and stage atmosphere will function as a unified space.

The program includes the artist’s famous hits as well as new tracks intended to reveal different facets of his творчість.

Admission: UAH 800–1700

Kureni Zeleni Party

This time, KURENI will bring together Ukrainian producers whose tracks are already being played in sets by international artists: FEELMARK from Odesa, MONASTETIQ from Dnipro, and UNDERSOUL from Kyiv.

The organizers promise an evening featuring three different musical approaches that will complement one another and create the event’s shared rhythm.

Admission: from UAH 400

“VIDNAIDENI” Ethno Festival

“VIDNAIDENI” is an ethno festival for those interested in Ukrainian heritage, ancestral memory, language, and culture. The event will bring together lectures, discussions, workshops, a Ukrainian brands fair, and a music program.

Participants include Akim Halimov, the UAGenealogy team, the “Zbyten” chapel ensemble, and the bands NAZVA and Thesaurum.

Admission: from UAH 420

Vyshyvanka Day Fair

To celebrate Vyshyvanka Day, Bessarabka Market together with Kyiv Vintage Market will hold a fair dedicated to Ukrainian culture.

The venue will feature clothing and textiles from Ukrainian manufacturers, jewelry, accessories, décor, handmade goods, гастрономію, beauty and lifestyle brands, as well as souvenirs with a distinctly Ukrainian spirit and meaning.

Admission: free

Picnic Country

Art-zavod Platforma will host Picnic Country — a two-day boho-style event dedicated to relaxation, creativity, and recharging. Organizers are preparing a large space for chilling, practices, music, and unhurried socializing.

The program includes yoga, musical meditations, nail-standing practices, body-energy practices, musical improvisations with piano, kalimba, steel tongue drum, and singing bowls. There will also be an art space, an esoteric corner, a creative workshop with clay, coffee, watercolor, and macramé, a food court, a sports and children’s area, and open-air screenings of Ukrainian cartoons and films.

Admission: UAH 150–400

Kyiv Ensemble Concert: Beethoven, Sylvestrov, Elgar

The National Philharmonic will host a performance by the Kyiv Chamber Ensemble featuring music from different eras. The concert program includes Valentin Sylvestrov’s “Moments of Mozart,” Beethoven’s Piano Quartet Op. 16, and Edward Elgar’s Piano Quintet K. 452.

Performers on stage include Kyrylo Bondar, Mykhailo Bilych, Andrii Chop, Mykola Liubenko, and Andrii Vasin.

Admission: UAH 200–450

“Strichka” Festival

The “Strichka” festival is celebrating its 12th anniversary. The Closer team is preparing a program with multi-genre stages, media art, new names, and a major international lineup.

Among the announced artists are Lena Willikens, Tau Car, MaximeDB, Credit00, Trent, Serge Jazzmate & Béllis, Alex Savage & Shults.Sashaa, and others.

Admission: until May 15 — UAH 3200, at the entrance — UAH 3700

Lera Mandziuk Stand-Up Evening

Comedian Lera Mandziuk will perform a new stand-up concert at the October Palace. Her humor is built on self-irony, bold delivery, and direct interaction with the audience.

This is an evening for those who enjoy fearless Ukrainian stand-up without unnecessary restraint.

Admission: UAH 350–1650

“Vsi. Svoi. Days of the Ukrainian Dress” Market

“Vsi. Svoi.” will host a market dedicated to Ukrainian dresses. More than one hundred manufacturers will participate, presenting clothing for spring and summer, office wear, everyday wardrobes, and special occasions.

In addition to dresses, visitors will be able to find shoes, bags, outerwear, hats, and accessories.

Admission: free

“Light of Revival. Stained Glass Design for Restored Synagogues of Ukraine” Exhibition

The Sholem Aleichem Museum is hosting Yevhen Kotliar’s exhibition “Light of Revival. Stained Glass Design for Restored Synagogues of Ukraine.”

The project presents sketches, designs, photographs, and concepts of stained-glass windows created between 1995 and 2005 — during a period of active revival of Jewish religious life in Ukraine and restoration of historic synagogue buildings. The exhibition will run until May 27.

Admission: check with the museum