Kyiv Day: the History of the Holiday and What Blooms in the Capital in Late May

Late May is one of the loveliest times in Kyiv: the city is lush and green, the last lilac blooms on the Dnipro slopes and peonies open in the botanical gardens. Kyiv Day falls at the same time. Here is the history of the holiday and where to go to see the capital in flower.

Late-spring flowers: peonies and large rose bouquets.

View full-size photo

History of Kyiv Day

Kyiv Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of May. The tradition began in 1982, when the city held large celebrations for its 1,500th anniversary. Since then the weekend has brought concerts, fairs and exhibitions to the streets, and Khreshchatyk is often closed to traffic.

Chestnut trees have long been a symbol of the city: their flowering “candles” appear on city emblems and souvenirs. In Kyiv they usually bloom in late April and May.

Where to see flowers in late May

• Hryshko National Botanical Garden. Lilac, magnolias and rhododendrons in May, with peonies and irises opening by the end of the month.
• Spivoche Pole. Flower shows are held here in spring, tulips first and then other themed displays.
• Fomin Botanical Garden. The capital’s oldest botanical garden, with glasshouses, a few minutes from the centre.
• Parks on the Dnipro slopes. Volodymyrska Hill and the Mariinskyi and Khreshchatyi parks offer greenery, flower beds and river views.

View full-size photo

Other dates in late May and early June

• Last bells and graduations. Late May is the season of school celebrations, when teachers and graduates receive flowers.
• 1 June: International Children’s Day. A good reason to give children bright flowers or a small potted plant.
• The start of summer. Peonies arrive in the shops, one of the most popular flowers of the season.

View full-size photo

We covered the capital’s flower shows in detail in Kyiv flower shows, and its magnolias in magnolias in Kyiv.

FAQ

When is Kyiv Day?

On the last Sunday of May.

When do peonies bloom in Kyiv?

Usually from late May into June; the Hryshko Botanical Garden has a large collection of varieties.

View full-size photo

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.