What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of October 17–19: Concerts, Festivals, and Exhibitions

This October weekend in Kyiv is for those who don’t like to be bored. Ukrainian music stars will perform on city stages, Verdi’s music will fill the National Opera, and art spaces will dive into dialogues with the 1960s generation, Malevich’s avant-garde, and the rebellious history of the underground. Plus — the grand Kyiv Food and Wine Festival will take place at VDNG, bringing together winemakers and cheesemakers from across the country.

In our guide — the top events of October 17–19 to help you plan a vibrant weekend in the city.

Anna Trincher Concert

Anna Trincher continues her large-scale tour across Ukraine and will perform on October 17 at the Atlas club in Kyiv. The artist, who confidently holds top positions in Ukrainian streaming charts and TikTok trends, will present a show blending sensual pop with dance aesthetics.

On stage, she’ll perform audience favorites: “Pivoniyi,” “Zirochko, palai!,” “Tresh,” “Bar za barom,” and “Kolosky.” In addition, Anna will debut new material — fresh tracks and musical experiments that will surprise listeners.

Admission: from 600 UAH

SHUGAR Concert

On October 19, one of the most prominent voices in the new Ukrainian pop scene, SHUGAR, will perform at Kyiv’s Palace of Sports. Oleg Shkarpeta, who started with street performances and covers, has become a true streaming and social media phenomenon in just a few years — and is now stepping onto one of the country’s biggest stages.

The program includes an explosive mix of the artist’s top hits: “Tyotya,” “Frenzzona,” “Toxic,” “Oleh,” “Diva,” “TikTok,” and more — all of which have long been quoted online. SHUGAR will also present several premieres — brand-new tracks set to hit playlists soon.

Admission: 790–4900 UAH

Legendary Rock Voices: Iconic Rock Hits in Symphony

On October 18, the Palace of Sports will host Legendary Rock Voices — a large-scale show that has already wowed over 40 European cities and is now coming to Ukraine for the first time. It’s not just a concert, but a full-fledged musical event blending symphonic grandeur, rock energy, and vocal excellence.

The program features explosive hits from Queen, AC/DC, Rammstein, Metallica, Evanescence, Scorpions, Bon Jovi, Linkin Park, and other bands whose songs have become part of global music history.

The stage will unite multiple musical worlds: a symphony orchestra, academic choir, rock band, and six vocalists — including Eurovision national selection finalists, "The Voice of Ukraine" stars, and vocal coaches of top performers. Special Ukrainian guest musicians will also perform surprise numbers.

Admission: 650–4995 UAH

Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the National Opera

On October 17, the National Opera of Ukraine will present one of the most powerful tragedies in the global opera repertoire — Giuseppe Verdi’s “Macbeth.” Inspired by Shakespeare, the composer preserved the original’s dramatic tension, turning the story of destructive power and human passion into a work of immense musical strength.

Premiered in 1847 in Florence and immediately acclaimed, “Macbeth” remains one of Verdi’s darkest and most psychological operas. Kyiv’s production returns with a refreshed cast: Hennadiy Vashchenko stars as Macbeth, and the role of Lady Macbeth is performed by Liudmyla Monastyrska — one of Ukraine’s most acclaimed sopranos, recognized on top opera stages worldwide.

Admission: 200–1200 UAH

Exhibition “Zaretsky / Horska: He and She”

From October 14 to 23, the “Mytets” Gallery will host a retrospective of graphic works by Alla Horska and Viktor Zaretsky — a married couple who became symbols of the Ukrainian art resistance of the 1960s. This is the first exhibition combining works from major private collections under one roof, many of which have never been shown publicly.

Alla Horska was a leader of the Sixtiers movement, an artist with a strong civic voice whose tragic death remains a mystery. Viktor Zaretsky was her creative partner and one of the most vivid representatives of the Ukrainian painting school of the late 20th century, known for his refined, almost “icon-like” style.

The displayed graphics from the 1960s–1980s are not just artistic expressions of the era but also documents of the time: a quest for freedom under censorship, intimate stories, and personal styles that stood in contrast to official Socialist Realism.

Admission: 100 UAH

Exhibition “Kolya Novikov: Outcast, Rebel, Genius Artist”

The Museum of the History of Kyiv presents an exhibition dedicated to one of the most enigmatic figures of the Ukrainian art underground — Kolya Novikov. An artist hailed as both genius and myth, he left behind a legacy that lived for decades on the fringes of official art history.

Novikov was a cult figure of Odesa nonconformism in the 1960s. He worked outside the Soviet system, rejected Socialist Realism, and sought his own artistic language — expressive, honest, and uncompromising. For this, he was labeled an “outcast,” but his rebellious spirit made him a symbol of Ukraine’s creative resistance.

The exhibition, created in partnership with the Museum of Avant-Garde branch and Les Noms Galerie, not only showcases Novikov’s works but also reveals the context of the “Thaw” era and the rise of the underground in Odesa, Kyiv, and Kharkiv. It aims to restore the voice of an artist who was ahead of his time yet remained unfairly forgotten for years.

Admission: 60–120 UAH

Exhibition “Ukrainian Woven Rushnyk”

The Ivan Honchar Museum opens its first exhibition from a new project exploring the interaction between Ukrainian folk art and the avant-garde. The exhibition “Ukrainian Woven Rushnyk” highlights how traditional patterns, colors, and symbols laid the foundation for modernist art movements of the 20th century.

This exhibition is dedicated to Kazimir Malevich — a world-renowned artist and founder of Suprematism. Born in Kyiv, he was raised in a cultural environment rich with folk motifs, which later influenced his artistic language. The geometric patterns, rhythmic compositions, and distinctive red-black-white palette of Ukrainian rushnyks became recognizable elements of his visual style.

The display includes around 100 authentic woven rushnyks from the 19th to the early 20th century, sourced from different Ukrainian regions. These are accompanied by reproductions of Malevich’s works, illustrating how folk visual traditions transformed into the radical artistic language of the avant-garde.

This project not only reminds us of the depth of Ukrainian visual heritage but also uncovers its influence on global art. The exhibition will also feature themed tours and children’s programs.

Admission: check with the museum

Kyiv Food and Wine Festival

On October 18–19, Pavilion №4 at VDNG will host the 23rd Kyiv Food and Wine Festival — Ukraine’s main wine and cheese festival, which for eleven years has been shaping the culture of modern winemaking in the country. The event will gather nearly 50 producers: around 30 new-wave wineries and over 20 craft cheesemakers will present their products. Visitors will have the chance to sample most wines and cheeses and meet the makers in person.

Two educational zones — the “Wine and Cheese School” — will offer open lectures, tasting sessions, and themed discussions. Hands-on experiences will include workshops on cheesemaking, floral design, and wine glass painting. The space will also feature a large food court with gastronomic wine pairings, thematic contests, raffles, and charity activities. A traditional part of the festival is the Kyiv Wine Run — a Sunday charity race in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, uniting wine lovers, sports fans, and community activists.

Organizers emphasize: the festival is not just a celebration of gastronomy but also a show of support for Ukrainian producers and charity in action. Part of the proceeds will go to the Leleka-Ukraine Charity Foundation.

Admission: 300–500 UAH