Irkutsk is preparing for a grand 355th anniversary celebration. The main events will take place on June 4 and 5 at the square by the monument to Alexander III, in Kirov Square, and by the regional government building. Residents can expect a workout with champions, sports and children's programs, a parade of 108 teams, concerts by Denis Matsuev and Igor Butman, and the first day will end with fireworks. The second day will feature a family festival, the Literary Quarter, performances by creative groups, and the projection show Irkutsk 355.

The main festive events for the anniversary of Irkutsk on June 4 and 5 will take place in the square by the monument to Alexander III, in Kirov Square, and in the square near the regional government building. As the press service of the administration reports, the City Day celebration on June 4 in the square by the monument to Alexander III will begin at 10:00 with a workout with a champion, led by instructor, track and field master of sports Debo Adenidji together with Olympic champion Alexey Negodaylo and showman Denis Guk. At 10:30, sports events will start here, and at 17:00 – the concert program “Voice of My City,” prepared by MSM radio. On Yunost Island, on the dance floor at 17:00, the opening of the summer jazz season in Irkutsk will take place with the participation of world-famous saxophonist Igor Butman.
Children’s play programs in Kirov Square will begin at 11:00. At 16:00, the gala concert of the “Spring Drip” festival will take place, at 17:30 – a concert featuring the choreographic groups “Steps” and “Sunny,” at 18:00 – a creative program by the Irkutsk City Theater of Folk Drama, at 19:00 - a concert by the band “Doctor Jazz” and Igor Butman, and at 20:00 the winner of the district competitions will be announced.
The festive procession, consisting of 108 teams, will start at 14:00. The columns will proceed along Karl Marx Street: from the intersection with Frank-Kamenetsky Street to Gagarin Boulevard.
At 21:00, on the main stage near the government building of the Angara region, a concert by People’s Artist of the Russian Federation, honorary citizen of Irkutsk Denis Matsuev and the governor’s orchestra of the Irkutsk Philharmonic will take place. The concert will last about an hour and a half. Everyone who wishes will be able to see and hear the musician; a special area will be arranged in front of the stage for people with disabilities. Screens and speakers will be installed throughout the square. The celebrations on June 4 will conclude with a fireworks display on the Lower Embankment at 22:50.
On City Day, police will be placed on heightened alert. More than 1,000 law enforcement officers will ensure the safety of Irkutsk residents. Cleanliness will also be monitored. Nearly 50 free portable toilets and trash containers will be installed.
The retail sale of alcoholic beverages on June 4 will be prohibited in all stores. The exception will be food service establishments - cafes, restaurants, and bars.
The celebration of the city’s anniversary will continue on June 5. On this day at 12:00 in Kirov Square, the family creativity festival “4 Elements Under the Sky of Irkutsk” will take place, and the “Literary Quarter” will open, featuring book exhibitions, presentations, and an open mic for Irkutsk writers and singer-songwriters. At 16:00, a concert by creative groups from Irkutsk will take place. At 23:00, the projection show “Irkutsk-355” will be held on the facade of the City History Museum building.
In the city districts on June 5, concerts and presentations by creative groups “Irkutsk Tours” will take place. Sverdlovsky District - at 11:00 on Naberezhnaya r. Kai St., 1, at 17:00 - in the Pervomaisky microdistrict, 26; Leninsky District - at 12:00 on Rosa Luxemburg St., 215v (EuroPark shopping center), at 14:00 on Aviastroiteley St., 47 (Komsomolsky Park); Oktyabrsky District - at 14:00 in the Solnechny microdistrict (the grounds of the Icebreaker Angara museum), at 16:00 in 50th Anniversary of the USSR Square; Pravoberezhny District - at 16:00 on Radishcheva St., 132 (school No. 73 stadium), at 17:00 in the Zeleny microdistrict, 42 (Rocket Men’s Square).