What to Do in Kyiv on the Weekend of May 8–10: Concerts, Parties, Festivals, and Exhibitions

The May 8–10 weekend in Kyiv will be packed with concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and open-air events. The lineup includes Ruslana at Feels Garden, the May Kurazh festival at VDNG, the opening of the KURENI terrace, the play “Orlando,” Design Hall at Mystetskyi Arsenal, the Made in Ukraine festival, and several exhibition projects.

We’ve gathered the most interesting events to make planning your weekend easier.

Ruslana Concert

Ruslana will perform a major concert at Feels Garden at VDNG. The artist who once introduced the world to modern Ukrainian pop music and brought Ukraine its first Eurovision victory will present an open-air program.

The organizers describe the performance as a concert filled with powerful energy and well-known songs that combine drive, stage expression, and Ruslana’s signature sound.

Admission: 800–1700 UAH

May Kurazh

Kurazh returns with a two-day program at the “KIT” pavilion. The music stage lineup includes RENIE CARES, SESTRO, TOLO4NIY, TONKA, KRYLATA, Lucas Bird, “Okolytsia,” LOVERA BREAUX, Bohdan Kuper, and DJ sets curated by Max Nahorniak.

In addition to music, guests can attend lectures on finance, memory culture, and creative industries, as well as enjoy a large range of activities: pétanque, table tennis, chess, a collage station, woodworking workshops, clothing redesign, and plein air painting.

The venue will also feature a flea market, children’s area, pet-friendly space, photo booth, an exhibition of Kyiv sunrises, and activities from the Museum of Darkness. The event remains accessible for people with limited mobility, and lectures and concerts will include sign language interpretation.

Admission: 400 UAH for one day / 800 UAH for two days

KURENI. Opening of the Main Terrace

KURENI is opening its main terrace after postponing the event due to weather conditions. Over two evenings, electronic music by Ukrainian artists will fill the space.

On May 8, KON’, NEUMATERIA, and ZATAI DUKH will perform, while on May 9 the lineup includes BARBARA, MAMAY, and SINITSA.

Admission: from 400 UAH

The Play “Orlando”

The Dovzhenko Centre will host a stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel “Orlando,” directed by Tetiana Kostyniuk. The story follows a character who travels through centuries and changes social roles while experiencing a transformation of identity.

The cast includes Olena Khokhlatkina, Maryna Koshkina, Illia Choporov, Mariia Rudkovska, and Khrystia Liuba. The play’s composer is Illia Choporov, while the choreography was created by Freedom Ballet soloist Kateryna Firsova.

Admission: 1200–3000 UAH

Made in Ukraine Festival

The Made in Ukraine festival opens a new season at VDNG. Ukrainian producers of clothing, jewelry, home goods, gastronomy products, books, and traditional crafts will gather in an open-air setting.

Charity foundations, food zones, and spaces for workshops and tastings will also be available at the venue.

Admission: free

Etnodim Client Day

Etnodim will host a client day at its Kyiv showroom, presenting the new “Oznaka” collection. The collection includes pieces for a transitional wardrobe — outerwear, shirts, trousers, skirts, and accessories.

During the event, stylist Sonia Soltes will help visitors select outfits, while shoppers will be able to receive scarves that showroom craftswoman Viktoriia can personalize with embroidered initials upon request.

Admission: free

“Bouquet of Love” Exhibition: Ivan and Larysa Brovdi

The Museum of Modern Art of Ukraine presents the exhibition “Bouquet of Love,” dedicated to the works of Transcarpathian artists Ivan and Larysa Brovdi. The exhibition combines the works of two artists who shared a common life journey but developed distinct artistic languages.

Ivan Brovdi’s works emphasize expressiveness and symbolism, while Larysa Brovdi’s art stands out for its intimacy and emotional depth. The project is part of the “Family Values — Family Ties” series and explores love as a source of creativity and inner support.

Admission: free

The Elliens Concert

National Selection 2026 finalists The Elliens are going on a tour across Ukrainian cities and will perform at Caribbean Club. The band focuses on live rock energy, freedom of sound, and a slightly provocative style.

The program includes fan-favorite songs, unreleased tracks from the upcoming album “Who Is Michelle?”, as well as energetic concert action with mosh pits and direct interaction with the audience.

Admission: 490–990 UAH

The Play “Eneida”

The “Veterans Theater” will present its interpretation of Ivan Kotliarevsky’s “Eneida” at the Young Theatre. In this production, the classic text becomes the basis for a conversation about war, memory, the power of words, and inner healing through art.

The roles are performed by active military personnel and veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war with amputations and severe injuries. Through movement, spoken word, and music, the project gives them a space for self-expression and allows audiences to better understand the experiences of soldiers.

Admission: 350–1800 UAH

Anastasiia Tykha Exhibition Project “Chavvah — Means ‘Alive’”

The “Khlibnia” exhibition halls will host Anastasiia Tykha’s project “Chavvah — Means ‘Alive.’” The exhibition explores the female body, generational memory, and connection to origins through painting, and the symbolism of earth and flowers.

The project moves away from stereotypical ideas of femininity and speaks about the body as a sacred space that preserves and transmits life. At the center of the exhibition are the experiences of mothers and grandmothers, heritage, inner strength, and the need to rethink scenarios passed down through generations.

Admission: tickets available at the reserve’s ticket office

Yurii Rybchynskyi. Veryovka Choir. “Legends of Ukraine”

The “Ukraine” Palace will host the concert “Legends of Ukraine,” combining the poetry of Yurii Rybchynskyi with the sound of the Hryhorii Veryovka National Honored Academic Ukrainian Folk Choir.

The program features famous songs written by Rybchynskyi, performed in new arrangements by the choir accompanied by an orchestra. Around 100 performers will appear on stage, making the event a large-scale musical performance focused on the Ukrainian song tradition and its place in cultural memory.

Admission: 490–3490 UAH

Design Hall

Design Hall will take place at Mystetskyi Arsenal — a large design market and exhibition of Ukrainian brands. More than 180 participants will showcase decor, furniture, lighting, and interior design solutions.

In addition to the market, the program includes art installations, lectures, a food court, and creative meetings. The format is aimed at those interested in Ukrainian product design, interior trends, and local brands.

Admission: 150 UAH

Wagner. Liszt. Bruch

The National Philharmonic of Ukraine will present a program of European Romantic works performed by the National Honored Academic Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine under the direction of Volodymyr Sirenko. The soloist is violinist Mykhailo Zakharov.

The first part of the concert will feature the Prelude to Richard Wagner’s opera “Lohengrin” and Max Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor — one of the most famous works in the violin repertoire. The second part is dedicated to Franz Liszt’s “Faust Symphony” in its first edition, inspired by Goethe’s drama. The program explores different facets of the Romantic worldview — from spiritual concentration to large-scale philosophical reflection.

Admission: 300–400 UAH