For the third time since 2021, we are marking Empress Elizabeth Petrovna's birthday on 29th December by offering free entry to the Catherine Palace for every visitor named Elizabeth.

Elizabeths and Elisabeths just need to present their IDs at the palace ticket desks and get their free passes.

Fun, right? Just like the empress loved it. She was known for her joyful personality and fondness of dancing, balls and masquerades. Her reign is considered the golden age of Tsarskoe Selo, when much of the Catherine Palace became the way we admire it nowadays.

On 29 December the Catherine Palace is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (entry till 4.45 p.m.).

PLEASE NOTE: Our parks are open throughout the New Year holidays. Our palaces are closed 31 December 2022 and 1 January 2023 and open without days off during 2–8 January 2023. Holiday hours