While the founding of Lviv is wrapped in legends and myths, it is known that the first written mentioning dates back to 1256, when the Galician-Volyn Prince Danylo Romanovych named the city after his son Lev. Throughout the centuries Lviv has been under the reign of at least 4 different states and each of them marked the city and its dwellers in their own ways.
Read: May Holidays in Ukraine: Top Destinations
Hundreds of years of transformation and historical events led to what we know now as one of the most popular tourist cities in Ukraine with its unforgettable charm. Surely, dwellers of Lviv pride themselves for living in such a famous city, so the Day of Lviv celebrations are equally roaring. In 2018, the festive celebrations will take place on May 4-6, which conveniently takes up a hot spring weekend. The program is the following:
May 4, Friday
Breakfast in the Solomiya Krushelnytska Music Memorial Museum
One of the most famous Ukrainian theatrical personalities, Solomiya Krushelnytska is known far beyond the country’s borders for her charming voice and delicate beauty. The museum of the renowned opera singer welcomes everyone to start the day with a breakfast in historical atmosphere.
When: 11 A.M. — 1.30 P.M.
Where: Solomiya Krushelnytska Music Memorial Museum
Flash Mob: the Beginning of the Day of Lviv Celebration
Those who arrive from other cities or countries will be surprised by the flash mob prepared by the city’s enthusiasts.
When: 1.30 P.M. — 2.30 P.M.
Where: Danylo Halytskyi International Airport "Lviv"
Read: Where to Have Breakfast in Lviv
Lviv Craft Beer & Vinyl Music Festival
The festival’s name speaks for itself — beer from more than 30 craft breweries, 4 music scenes with various live bands, and, of course, vinyl DJs to light up the spot. Besides, the festival organizes free bus rides near the Ivan Fedorov monument on Pidvalna street.
When: starting 4 P.M.
Where: FESTrepublic
Orchestras on the Streets
The first day of grand musical performances that need no stage presents Air Band of the National Guard of Ukraine and young bandurists from the Lviv Art School #5. The latter will give a chance to witness a live performance of the traditional Ukrainian instrument bandura.
When: 5 P.M. — 6 P.M.
Where: Halytska Square, Rynok Square, Svobody Avenue
Modern Ukrainian Music
The improvisation band Mariia Kopytchak & Orkestr Pochuvan’ will present a new musical project based on the tango and foxtrot pieces by Bohdan Vesolovskyi, the famous Ukrainian composer especially popular in 1930s Lviv. Besides, KURBASY band will perform the best hits of the Ukrainian singer and songwriter Volodymyr Ivasyuk, the author of the widely popular Chervona Ruta.
When: 6 P.M. — 10 P.M.
Where: Lesya Kurbasa Street
May 5, Saturday
Breakfast in the Ivan Franko Museum
The second breakfast of the Day of Lviv celebration program will take place in the Lviv Literary-memorial Museum of Ivan Franko, where visitors will have a chance to explore the life and work of this renowned Ukrainian writer.
When: 11 P.M.
Where: Lviv Literary-memorial Museum of Ivan Franko
Read: Places to Eat Healthy Food in Lviv
Barbeque Fest
One of the numerous food locations of the fest will offer a delicious juicy barbeque prepared on spot.
When: 12 P.M.
Where: the inner yard of Lviv Art Palace
City Picnic
A nice occasion to pack the essentials and enjoy the May heat will be presented this weekend when the city will indulge in a large friendly picnic.
When: 12 P.M.
Where: Ivan Franko Park
Grand Parade
Sure enough, the Town Day is hardly imaginable without the large festive procession. All enthusiasts are welcome to join the parade in the downtown of Lviv.
When: 1 P.M. — 2 P.M.
Where: Rynok Square, Svobody Avenue
Orchestras on the Streets
While the location stays the same, this time different bands will fill the spacious streets with sweet sounds music. On May 5 passers-by will have a chance to hear a live performance of the Royal Lion air band festival participants.
When: 2 P.M. — 4 P.M.
Where: Halytska Square, Rynok Square, Svobody Avenue
Read: Attractions in Lviv
Celebration Stage on Rynok Square
A stage set up specifically for the holiday celebrations will broadcast music, including live concerts.
When: 3 P.M. — 10 P.M.
Where: Rynok Square
Performances on Levandivka
The Levandivka neighborhood in Lviv will welcome everyone to witness various performances: from theatrical and musical to acrobatics and choreography.
When: 3 P.M. — 9 P.M.
Where: People's House of Levandivka
Read: Best Places to Taste Traditional Nalyvka in Lviv
Musical Fest near the Lviv Opera
Radio Skovoroda takes up the scene near the Lviv Opera to fill the space with the best lively spring hits.
When: starting 4 P.M.
Where: Lviv Opera
Lviv Craft Beer & Vinyl Music Festival
The festival’s name speaks for itself — beer from more than 30 craft breweries, 4 music scenes with various live bands, and, of course, vinyl DJs to light up the spot. Besides, the festival organizes free bus rides near the Ivan Fedorov monument on Pidvalna street.
When: starting 4 P.M.
Where: FESTrepublic
Lviv Coffee & Sweets Fair
The cozy inner yard of the First Ukrainian Theater for Children and Youth will transform into a fun fair: various workshops, discussion panels and authentic Lviv coffee and sweet stalls will be present here.
When: 5 P.M. — 7 P.M.
Where: the inner yard of the First Ukrainian Theater for Children and Youth
Read: Best Confectionaries in Lviv
Royal Lion Air Band Fest
The grand event of the Western Ukraine music scene will begin during the Day of Lviv celebrations, presenting the all-country talents to the public eye.
When: 6 P.M. — 8 P.M.
Where: square near Dovzhenko Center
6 May, Sunday
Breakfast in the Oleksa Novakivsʹkyi Museum
The last museum breakfast of the Day of Lviv takes place in a lesser-known spot, full of works by the Ukrainian postimpressionist Oleksa Novakivsʹkyi.
When: 11 A.M. — 12.30 P.M.
Where: Oleksa Novakivsʹkyi Museum
Holiday Service at St. George's Cathedral
Sure enough, the churches rejoice in the holiday as well, welcoming all the faithful and curious into the ancient hall of the baroque-rococo St. George's Cathedral in the center of Lviv.
When: starting 11 A.M.
Where: St. George's Cathedral
Barbeque Fest
One of the numerous food locations of the fest will offer a delicious juicy barbeque prepared on spot.
When: 12 P.M.
Where: the inner yard of Lviv Art Palace
Read: Dog-Friendly Food Spots in Lviv
City Picnic
A nice occasion to pack the essentials and enjoy the May heat will be presented this weekend when the city will indulge in a large friendly picnic.
When: 12 P.M.
Where: Ivan Franko Park
Orchestras on the Streets
The Royal Lion air band festival participants will play a great role in the city’s celebrations — from playing on the streets for the hurrying passers-by to a grand gala concert.
When: starting 1.30 P.M.
Where: Halytska Square, Rynok Square, Svobody Avenue
Gala Concert of The Royal Lion Air Band Fest
The final event with the Royal Lion orchestral music will take place on Sunday on a spacious square near the Dovzhenko center.
When: 3 P.M. — 9 P.M.
Where: Dovzhenko Center
Lviv Craft Beer & Vinyl Music Festival
The festival’s name speaks for itself — beer from more than 30 craft breweries, 4 music scenes with various live bands, and, of course, vinyl DJs to light up the spot. Besides, the festival organizes free bus rides near the Ivan Fedorov monument on Pidvalna street.
When: starting 4 P.M.
Where: FESTrepublic
Read: Best Ukrainian Beers
INSO-Lviv Orchestra on Rynok Square
Finally, the festive celebrations will end with the live music brought by the INSO-Lviv Orchestra in the heart of the city.
When: 7 P.M. — 10 P.M.
Where: Rynok Square
Have a great holiday!
Photo source: shutterstock.com, unsplash.com. All images belong to their rightful authors.
The Day of Lviv 2018 Celebrations
Town Day is internationally known as a celebration of love and pride for your place of living, and dwellers of Lviv are no strangers to this concept. This year, the city of lions celebrates 762 years since its founding with a rich festive program. Orchestras performing on the city’s streets, various food spots and flash mobs are merely a part of what’s in for the May 4-6 weekend.