Best Times to Visit

Weather

Belarus has a temperate continental climate, with cold winters and cool summers. In Minsk (elevation 234 m), average temperatures reach a low in January at -10°C (ranging between a minimum of -14°C and a maximum of -7°C). Summer temperatures reach an average of 17°C in July (ranging between a minimum of 12°C and a maximum of 22°C). Rainfall varies between 2 cm and 8 cm a month, with the highest amounts falling between May and September.

Visitors are advised to bring medium- to heavyweight clothing in winter; waterproofs are recommended throughout the year.

More information about the Belarusian weather may be found in Climate in Belarus.

Festivals

The National Convention of Belarusian Composers meets in Minsk in January to discuss music and host a series of concerts. The city also holds an international language festival in April, known as Expolingua. June sees the Festival of Poetry at Lake Svityaz, where celebrations of the work of Belarusian and Russian poets are held. In November Minsk hosts the Belarussian Musical Autumn, a festival of folk and classical music and dance. Several state holidays, such as Independence Day or Victory Day draw big crowds and include various displays such as fireworks and military parades. Most of these festivals take place in Vitebsk or Minsk.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Belarus: