The city hosts a vibrant gastronomic festival named Fish Week, celebrated in Moscow from May 26 to June 4, 2023, showcasing the broad culinary traditions surrounding fish and seafood across Russia. The festival brings together diverse regional flavors, cooking methods, and maritime influences that illuminate the country’s rich coastal and inland fishing cultures. Vendors, cooks, and seafood enthusiasts gather to share experiences, taste new creations, and explore the seasonal abundance available in many local waters. This event is organized by the city’s street events program known as Moscow Seasons, a well established platform for seasonal food, culture, and community gatherings in the capital.
Across the city, markets and trade pavilions spring to life, offering a wide range of products from fresh catches to prepared delicacies. The central marketplace area for Fish Week is staged on the pedestrian route linking Revolution Square with Manezhnaya Square, transforming a busy corridor into a lively showcase of seafood artistry. Visitors can stroll through stalls offering chilled, frozen, lightly salted, and smoked fish, along with ready-to-eat delights. Special attention is given to live snow crab Opilio, crab meat, and herring, which hold a special place in the festival lineup because of their popularity and distinctive flavors. The event makes it easy to sample and compare different preparations in one festive setting.
From morning until late evening, guests have the chance to select fish directly from the market until the festival’s close. The site operates daily from 11:00 to 21:00 Moscow time on weekdays, with the weekend schedule starting an hour earlier to accommodate families and late shoppers. This flexible timing ensures visitors can plan shopping, tasting, and cultural activities around their schedules, whether they are locals or visitors exploring Moscow’s culinary scene for the first time.
As part of the festival program, a significant fishing excursion takes place at Gorky Park on May 27, inviting participants of all ages to discover practical fishing skills and the craft behind the sport. Experts provide guidance, demonstrate techniques, and help attendees understand the gear and rigging used in modern fishing. Participants can try basic casting and knot-tying under supervision, and equipment can be borrowed or purchased at on-site kiosks. Recreation zones are set up to create a welcoming atmosphere, with friendly rewards for active participation that encourage families and curious beginners to engage more deeply.
Furthermore, on June 2, 3 and 4, the festival expands into a professional and amateur fishing championship spanning the Golyanovskiy Pond and the Kolomenskaya Embankment. The competitions draw seasoned anglers and newcomers, turning the riverfront and park spaces into dynamic stages for skillful casting, strategy, and teamwork. Spectators can watch from designated viewing areas, learn about different fishing styles, and celebrate the shared passion for catching and preparing seafood. The championship highlights the regional fishing culture, honors successful teams, and reinforces community ties within Moscow’s diverse urban landscape.