What to do in Kyiv on the weekend of May 30 – June 1: concerts, festivals, and exhibitions

The end of May is the perfect time to fill your weekend with memories you’ll want to relive all summer. In Kyiv from May 30 to June 1, you can expect loud concerts, the return of beloved bands, large-scale festivals, and new exhibitions.

Kurgan & Agregat will perform at the Sports Palace for the first time, Badactress will present a new program at ORIGIN STAGE, NAZVA and DakhaBrakha are back with long-awaited live shows. At VDNH, the "Generation" festival will immerse visitors in the vibe of the 90s with a charitable goal, while HVLV hosts the two-day Oklyk fest for lovers of electronic music and contemporary art. And that's not all. Amid the quiet of museum halls — an exhibition on Ivan Mazepa's European path and the art project "Kyiv. Rhythms."

Choose what speaks to you and catch the mood of this weekend.

Kurgan & Agregat at the Sports Palace with a solo album presentation

On May 31, Kurgan & Agregat will present their new album "Rosin Field" on the stage of the Sports Palace. This will be the band’s first large-scale concert in this format — with new tracks, boundless energy, and a unique sense of humor their fans love.

"We don’t think there’s much more to say here," joke the musicians. But they add: all proceeds from the concert will go to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces. So it’ll be not just loud, but truly meaningful.

Admission: from 449 UAH

"Generation" Festival

The "Generation" festival returns. From May 30 to June 1 at VDNH, visitors can once again dive into the nostalgia of the 90s and 2000s — with music, a market, interactive zones, dancing, and favorite hits. Three days at the same place where it all began: the first pavilion, familiar vibes, and new memories.

Most importantly — this season, the festival is raising funds for the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade.

Admission: 500 UAH

Badactress concert at ORIGIN STAGE

On May 30, Badactress returns to the ORIGIN STAGE with a new solo concert. Following a successful debut, the artist didn’t waste time and prepared even more songs — candid, emotional, and deeply connected with her audience.

Expect everything fans love her for: a recognizable voice, unfiltered sincerity, an intimate atmosphere, and warm contact with the crowd.

Admission: from 590 UAH

NAZVA’s first solo Kyiv concert in a year

On May 31, the NAZVA band will perform at "V’YAVA" — a Galician-Donbas group that began with musical performances about the Executed Renaissance and Parajanov, and now fills entire venues.

This will be their first solo show in Kyiv in a year — with live sound, an expanded lineup, and songs you’ll want to sing along to. Expect "CHUZHIYU YA," "Tykho-tykho," "Sigele ta Migele," and more tracks familiar to every music lover.

Admission: from 450 UAH

Ziferblat concert

Ziferblat returns to "V’YAVA" with a big concert after participating in Eurovision 2025. This will be the band’s first Kyiv performance since the international contest, where they placed 9th — a great opportunity to hear everything fans already love live on stage.

The setlist includes the best of their debut album "Transformation," the Eurovision entry *Bird of Pray*, the hit with Tember Blanche "Until Now and Forever," and many musical surprises. If you haven’t seen Ziferblat live yet — it’s time to catch up.

Admission: from 750 UAH

Exhibition "Kyiv. Rhythms"

The "Kyiv. Rhythms" exhibition at the Kyiv Art Gallery is an artistic dedication to the city for its celebration day. The works portray the rhythms of the capital: its street poetry, history, modern life, and that unique feeling familiar to anyone who loves Kyiv.

The exhibition runs until June 15.

Admission: 50–100 UAH

DakhaBrakha concert

After a world tour, DakhaBrakha returns to the Kyiv stage. This concert is a special meeting with their home audience, which is just as important to the musicians as international appearances.

The set will include fan favorites and songs from their upcoming album, set to release in the fall, with some tracks performed live for the first time. Part of the tour proceeds traditionally go to support Ukraine’s defense forces.

Admission: from 390 UAH

Oklyk fest at HVLV

On May 31 and June 1, HVLV (Khvyliovyi) hosts Oklyk fest — a two-day festival of electronic music and visual art. The lineup includes sixteen contemporary artists working at the intersection of sound and image.

Oklyk is not just about parties, but a platform for creative exchange, new ideas, and discoveries. The vibe is intimate, the music is modern, the art is alive.

Admission: free donation from 150 UAH (per day)

Exhibition "Mazepa. Strategy of a European Ukraine" at the Lavra

A large-scale exhibition dedicated to Ivan Mazepa — the hetman who over 300 years ago chose a European path for Ukraine — has opened at the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

In seven halls of Building 4 (Cells of the Cathedral Elders), visitors will find unique artifacts: old printed books, weapons, jewelry, documents, and household items of the Cossack elite.

The exhibition reminds us: the struggle for independence, dignity, and a European future is not new, but deeply rooted in Ukrainian history. A must-see — to better understand not only the past but also the present.

Admission: check with Kyiv Pechersk Lavra