Koryushka Idet Smelt Festival

Корюшка идёт!

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Food & DrinkNovaya Ladoga
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkWhat makes this festival distinctive is how
Language["ru"]Currency: RUB
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Koryushka Idet Smelt Festival in Novaya Ladoga

Koryushka Idet, meaning ‘The Smelt Is Running,’ marks the spring smelt run in Novaya Ladoga on Lake Ladoga's shore with a free one-day gastronomic festival. Visitors sample fried smelt and other regional dishes across themed zones nicknamed Fisherman's Village, Farmers' Market and Crafts Fair, while a fishing competition, folk concerts and boat trips to nearby Staraya Ladoga round out the program.

For a few weeks each spring, the Volkhov River near Lake Ladoga fills with smelt swimming upstream to spawn, small silvery fish with a faint scent of fresh cucumber that has made them a minor regional delicacy for as long as anyone in Novaya Ladoga can remember.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What makes this festival distinctive is how tightly it is tied to a genuine seasonal event rather than an arbitrary calendar date: it is timed to the smelt's spring spawning run up the Volkhov River near Lake Ladoga, when local fishing communities have historically caught and sold the small, cucumber-scented fish in bulk

02

The mystery stays covered

Rather than treating the fish as a mere theme, organizers build the entire festival around it, from tasting stalls and cooking demonstrations to a genuine fishing competition open to visitors

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival is built directly around the smelt's annual spawning migration up the Volkhov River

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a seasonal event that has shaped the fishing economy of Novaya Ladoga for generations

The sacred route

Living ritual

named for fishermen

The local code

Living ritual

farmers and craftspeople

Tradition 5

Living ritual

deliberately echo the trades that have sustained this Ladoga-shore town historically

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Excursions to nearby Staraya Ladoga

Tradition 7

Living ritual

one of Russia's oldest towns

Tradition 8

Living ritual

tie the festival to the region's much longer settlement history rather than treating it as a purely modern food event

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Arrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.

What to wear

Practical outdoor clothing works best, since the festival takes place on the waterfront in mid-spring when Ladoga-region weather is still cool and often breezy. Waterproof or sturdy shoes...

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

["ru"] · RUB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map60.10 N, 32.30 EOpen in Google Maps

Novaya Ladoga, Russia

TransportArrive early for popular stalls and pace the route instead of trying to taste everything.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Novaya Ladoga via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Novaya Ladoga, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearPractical outdoor clothing works best, since the festival takes place on the waterfront in mid-spring when Ladoga-region weather is still cool and often breezy. Waterproof or sturdy shoes help given the riverside and market-ground terrain. A warm layer is worth carrying even if the day starts mild.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Russia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Koryushka Idet Smelt Festival?

Koryushka Idet Smelt Festival is listed for Past edition: 16 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Koryushka Idet Smelt Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Novaya Ladoga, Russia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Novaya Ladoga, Russia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLxn--90ahabaaafva4atnbfucgdera2w9b.xn--p1ai
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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