All the main action over the weekend days of May 27th and 28th will be happening on Sofiyivska Square. On May 25th (6 PM) Sofiivska Square invites to the Day of Kyiv grand opening. The guests are welcome to enjoy the enchanting theatrical performance, dancing, live music, whimsical flower decorations and a giant birthday cake. Sofiivska Square offers all the attributes of the fun and exciting birthday party. The square will have a stage where bands will be performing and recreation areas decorated with hanging umbrellas and thematic installations. The giant «Cake of wishes» is a nine-meter sculpture which would also serve as an observation platform.
Read: Attractions in Kyiv

For 4 days Sofiyskaya Square will offer food courts with delicious food and drinks, lounge zone and themed family friendly recreation areas. Not far away from all the birthday-themed fun, Kontraktova Square invites to attend UAmade Fest, the annual fair of local brands and makers. All the visitors will have a chance to explore and shop for Ukrainian fashion brands’ latest collections, enjoy delicious food from the best street food vendors and listen to hip live bands’ performances.

Other live gigs will be happening on stages that will appear on Mykhaylivska Squares and Peyzazhna Alley. In addition, festive events will be held on Andriyivsky Descent and on the territory of St. Sofiya Cathedral. Dancing flash mobs are announced to take place on Sofiyivska Square on May 25 and 26 from 6 pm to 10 pm, and on May 27 and 28 from 12.00 to 22.00.

The upcoming week will also present an international festival Anne de Kiev Fest, which will be happening for the third time already. The event is organized under the supervision of UNESCO, UNICEF and Kyiv City Council. The festival will offer the premier of «Yaroslav Mudruy» opera, «Anna Yaroslavna» video opera and «Four Queens» opera concert. Also during the festival the Square of Francophonie named after Anna Kyivska will be officially established in Kyiv with the variety of roses specially brought to Ukraine from France, deduced in honor of Queen Anne of Kyiv.

Spivoche Pole will host a spectacular choir festival «Song over Dnipro». This year the festival gathered the record braking number of a cappella participants, over 30 choirs from all over Ukraine as well as from abroad will sing Ukrainian folk songs and some beloved international hits.

To spice things up a little visit Kyiv Kurazh Night Market which will be themed around mysterious India and will offer ultimate entertainment Bollywood style. From May 26th to May 28th 2017 Platforma Art Zavod will host one of the most popular charity events in Kyiv. During all three days of the festival guests can make Mehndi tattoos, sing their hearts away in karaoke, relax and mediate in specially arranged areas, have a massage, try their luck at jazz-dance battles or simply dance to the live performances of various live bands.

In 2017 the Day of Kyiv is strongly themed around various sports events. On May 27th, 2017 Kyiv will host the world class sport event - KYIV EURO MARATHON. The Marathon is dedicated to the celebration of the Day of Europe and Kyiv’s birthday. The start and finish will be located at the "Olympiysky" NSC and will offer a comfortable speed track in the city center. Participants can choose a comfortable distance suitable for beginners as well as for the experienced runners.

In case you are more into cycling than running, check out Horizon Park Women Challenge cycling race for women and Race Horizon Park Maidan for men on May 27th, 2017.

The traditional Chestnut Run will take place on May 28th. Chestnut Run is the largest sport and charity event in Ukraine which is held annually since 1993. For the past 17 years, the Chestnut Run participants helped children to overcome the congenital heart disease. Route of the race is as follows: Mikhailovskaya square - Vladimirsky proezd - Sofievskaya square - st. Vladimirskaya - st. Bogdan Khmelnitsky - st. Khreshchatyk - a turn on the Independence Square and in the opposite direction.

Read: Sport Events in Spring 2017 in Ukraine
The program of celebrating Kyiv’s 1535th birthday offers what seems like an endless list of events and happenings that caters to all tastes and interests. From traditional folk festivals to the dynamic sports events and exotic fairs, everybody will find some exiting happening to attend. Kyiv, being the heart and soul of Ukraine, for sure deserves to be honored on its birthday.

Photo source: shutterstock.com, Folk Ukraine Facebook page, UAmade Festival Facebook Page. All images belong to their rightful owners.