Where to go in Kyiv on the weekend of May 30-31

The last weekend of May in Kyiv promises to be packed with cultural events. The capital will host open-air musical performances, a major book festival, gastronomic events, and family plays for children. UNN has compiled a selection of the top 7 events to visit on May 30-31.

Dakh Daughters – "ANTIDOT" Concert

When: May 30, 18:00

Where: ICCA (October Palace), Aleya Heroyiv Nebesnoyi Sotni, 1

Cost: 490–1450 UAH

About the event: This Friday, the Kyiv public will be able to see the new "ANTIDOT" program by the Dakh Daughters band. The artists will combine music, poetry, theatricality, and grotesque on stage to talk about war, fear, disinformation, and the power of unity through art.

The concert will serve as a kind of emotional reflection on the events the country is experiencing. The program includes new compositions and creative acts dedicated to finding internal support, hope, and humanity in difficult times.

The organizers call "ANTIDOT" an artistic antidote against manipulation and despair. Thus, the audience can expect not just a musical evening, but an atmospheric performance with deep meanings and strong emotional content.

"Pokolinnia" (Generation) Festival

When: May 30-31, 14:00

Where: VDNG, Akademika Glushkova Avenue, 1

Cost: 900–1000 UAH

About the event: The "Pokolinnia" festival, dedicated to the pop culture of the 90s and 2000s, will take place at VDNG this weekend. The event will last three days, and the final day will bring together several famous Ukrainian artists on one stage - LAMA, Zhenya Galych, and Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, who will perform a special acoustic program.

Organizers promise the atmosphere of a grand musical retro-holiday with hits from different decades, thematic DJ sets, and a nostalgic vibe. Each day of the festival will have a separate musical concept and mood, so visitors can choose a program to suit their own taste.

The festival will take place outdoors near the first pavilion of VDNG. The event will be a good opportunity to spend a day off in the fresh air, listen to live music, and recall the atmosphere of the iconic 90s and 2000s.

XIV International Festival "Book Arsenal"

When: May 29–31, 2026

Where: Mystetskyi Arsenal, Ivana Mazepy St, 28–30

Cost: 150–700 UAH

About the event: The XIV International Festival "Book Arsenal" will take place in Kyiv this weekend, traditionally gathering writers, publishers, artists, and readers from all over the country. Over several days, guests can expect hundreds of events — from discussions and literary meetings to concerts, readings, and exhibition projects.

The organizers paid special attention to the book fair, where more than a hundred large and small publishing houses will present their editions, as well as a bookstore with foreign literature. The program also includes exhibitions of contemporary illustrators, events for children and teenagers, and projects by military and volunteer organizations.

The focus theme of this year's festival is "To Carry One's Freedom." It is curated by human rights activist, journalist, former prisoner of war, and war veteran Maksym Butkevych. The organizers note that the festival should become not only a cultural event but also a space for important social conversations.

Museum of Guitars and the History of the Global Electro-Music Industry

When: May 29–31, 2026, 11:00–18:30

Where: UNIVERSUM HALL, Akademika Glushkova Ave, 1, VDNG, Pavilion No. 6

Cost: 150–900 UAH

About the event: This weekend at VDNG, you can visit the interactive Museum of Guitars and the History of the Global Electro-Music Industry. The organizers call it the only museum of its kind in the world where exhibits are combined with artificial intelligence technologies.

Visitors will be shown rare musical exhibits and the history of the development of electronic music in a modern multimedia format. Part of the exhibits will operate using AI technologies, allowing guests to interact with the exhibition and immerse themselves in the world of music in a new way.

Excursions will start every 30 minutes and last about an hour. A lounge bar with coffee, desserts, and drinks will also be open on the museum grounds, where you can relax after the tour.

Play "Where Do Children Come From?"

When: May 30, 2026

Where: Kyiv Municipal Academic Puppet Theater on the Left Bank of the Dnipro, Myropilska St, 1, Chernihivska metro station

Cost: 200 UAH

About the event: For a family outing this weekend in Kyiv, the play "Where Do Children Come From?" at the Puppet Theater on the Left Bank of the Dnipro is a great choice. The production is designed for children aged three and up and combines humor, sincere dialogue, and situations familiar to many parents.

At the center of the plot is a boy named Illya, who tries to find the answer to a seemingly simple childhood question; however, during his search, he receives completely different and often funny explanations from adults.

The authors of the play present the topic lightly and delicately, through warm family conversations, humor, and children's curiosity. The production lasts 45 minutes and is performed in Ukrainian.

Kyiv Food and Wine Festival

When: May 30–31, 2026

Where: VDNG, Pavilion 4, Akademika Glushkova Ave, 1

Cost: 400–1700 UAH

About the event: This weekend in Kyiv, to mark Kyiv City Day, the 24th Kyiv Food and Wine Festival will be held, dedicated to Ukrainian wine and craft cheeseries. The event will take place at VDNG and will bring together dozens of producers from different regions of the country.

Guests can expect tastings of new harvest wines, craft cheeses, and gastronomic pairings from Ukrainian producers. About 30 winemakers and 20 cheeseries will participate in the festival. Lectures and tasting sessions have also been prepared for visitors at the "Wine and Cheese School," where specialists will talk about drinks and gastro-culture.

A separate part of the program will be the Uwines Awards 2026 competition, during which the best Ukrainian wines will be determined. In addition, food zones will operate on the festival grounds, along with thematic activities, prize draws, and charity events in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Concert "Only Bach"

When: May 30, 2026, 18:00

Where: National Philharmonic of Ukraine, Volodymyrskyi Uzviz, 2

Cost: 300-900 UAH

About the event: An organ recital titled "Only Bach" performed by Hanna Bubnova will take place at the National Philharmonic of Ukraine this weekend. The concert program is entirely dedicated to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and his music for the organ.

During the evening, preludes, fugues, choral works, fantasies, and organ transcriptions will be performed. Among the most famous compositions is the legendary "Toccata and Fugue in D minor" BWV 565, which is considered one of the most recognizable works of organ music in the world.

The organizers promise a program without stylistic experiments or modern interpretations — only the classical sound of the organ and Bach's music. The concert will be a good opportunity for fans of academic music to spend an evening in the chamber atmosphere of the philharmonic.