s club 7 reunion tour dates

S Club 7 Reunited tour announcement: reunion arena tour dates, tickets, setlist and more

Hoochie mama, show your nana! S Club 7 have officially reunited – and they’ve announced a huge UK and Ireland arena tour for October 2023 to celebrate 25 years in music.

Appearing on BBC’s The One Show, Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole, Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh, Rachel Stevens and Jo O’Meara revealed they’ll be bringing it all back on an 11-date S Club 7 Reunited tour, kicking off on October 13 at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena.

The group have even added an additional date at London's The O2 already, due to popular demand. Tickets on sale Friday February 17, kids.

Relive S Club 7’s Official Top 20 biggest songs of all time – from S Club Party to Don’t Stop Movin’ - here. Spoiler: they’re all bangers.

S Club 7 Reunited tour dates 2023

Friday october 13 2023 - liverpool, m&s bank arena, saturday october 14 2023 - sheffield, utilia arena, monday october 16 2023 - dublin, 3arena, wednesday october 18 2023 - glasgow, hydro arena, thursday october 19 2023 - newcastle, utilia arena, friday october 20 2023 - leeds, first direct arena, saturday october 21 2023 - manchester, ao arena, monday october 23 2023 - cardiff, international arena, tuesday october 24 2023 - nottingham, motorpoint arena, thursday october 26 2023 - birmingham, utilia arena, friday october 27 2023 - london, the o2 *new date added*, saturday october 28 2023 - london, the o2.

S Club 7 Reunited tour – when are tickets on sale and how can I buy them?

Tickets for S Club 7’s tour will be available from Friday February 17.

How do I buy tickets in S Club 7's reunion tour presale?

Presale access began at 10am on Wednesday 15 February 2023.

Presale tickets for the S Club Reunited tour have now sold out.

How much will S Club 7 reunion tour tickets cost?

Check out the group's ticket packages below:

S Club 7 Reach For The Stars VIP Ticket Package: £290.90 Includes a top price seated ticket, meet the members of S Club 7 before the show plus have your photo taken by the VIP Manager*, a limited edition A4 tour print signed by the band, an exclusive gift chosen by the band, a commemorative VIP laminate & lanyard S Club 7 Best Seat VIP Package: £160.39 Includes a top price seated ticket, a limited edition A4 tour print, an exclusive gift chosen by the band and a commemorative VIP laminate & lanyard Price A Seats: £73.38 Price A Side Restricted View Seats: £73.38 Price B Seats: £53.60 Price C Seats: £39.48

S club 7 reunited tour setlist 2023: what songs can we expect.

While we obviously don’t know details of the group’s upcoming tour setlist, we’re certain you can expect all the hits (and a few surprises). Let’s remind ourselves of S Club’s Bring It All Back 2015 tour setlist:

Bring The House Down

S club party, you’re my number one, love ain’t gonna wait for you, two in a million, stronger (tina barrett solo), reach (acoustic) (paul cattermole solo), straight up (paul abdul cover) (hannah spearritt solo), hello friend (jon lee and jo o’meara duet), have you ever, good times/friday night/dance dance dance/do it ‘till we drop/who do you think you are (bradley mcintosh dj set), some girls/sweet dreams my la ex (rachel stevens solo), viva la fiesta, bring it all back, uptown funk (mark ronson and bruno mars cover), say goodbye, never had a dream come true, don’t stop movin’, watch our exclusive chat with s club 7’s jo, tina and rachel below:.

Will S Club 7 release new music in 2023?

Asked if we can expect some new S Club tunes on the BRITs red carpet, Jo said: "Wait till Monday!"

Then, at the group's press conference hosted by BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills, Jon said: "It's something we have spoken about and something we'd all definitely be up for, but at the moment we're just seeing how the tour goes."

Will S Club Juniors be going on tour with S Club 7 as support act?

Eagle-eyed fans have spotted that the official S Club 7 Instagram account follows only Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment, the band members and S Club Juniors ’ Frankie Bridge, Rochelle Humes, Aaron Renfree, Calvin Goldspink, Jay Perry, Hannah Richings, Stacey Franks and Daisy Shelvey.

Why’s that, then?

Speaking to us on the BRITs red carpet, the group said: “We’re all S Clubbers, aren’t we? You’ve got to have the S!”

Interesting...

At the group's press conference, Jo addressed speculation saying: "We're [keeping it] open. It'd be lovely to get somebody who's not done it before; somebody new and fresh. It'd be nice to open up a career to somebody else, but you never know."

When did S Club 7 last reunite?

In November 2014, the group reformed to announce a twelve-date 2015 UK arena. The band also reissued their Best: The Greatest Hits of S Club 7 collection with a previously-unreleased fan favourite track, Rain.

MORE: S Club 7's Official Charts history in full

What's s club 7's official merchandise store.

We believe the group have set up an official store coming very soon indeed.

Who are the members of S Club 7?

Tina barrett, paul cattermole, hannah spearritt, bradley mcintosh, rachel stevens, what do s club 7 look like now.

          View this post on Instagram A post shared by Scott Mills (@realscottmills)

Who'll be musical director on S Club 7's 2023 arena tour?

It looks like Simon Ellis - BRIT Award-winning producer and the man behind the group's Bring It All Back 2015 tour arrangements - will return for the band's '23 shows.

Will S Club 7's TV series - Miami 7, LA 7 and more - be available on streaming?

When we asked the group if we can expect their shows on streaming, Jon assured us: "That's something we're talking about and looking into what platform it's going to go on. It's something that will almost definitely be happening. You can only get it on VHS at the moment, that's how old we are!"

More information as we get it, S Clubbers.

Article images: Shutterstock

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thierry henon

Over the moon to hear that and welcome back S Club 7! Love them to bits......

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Everything to Know About the S Club 7 Reunion (From Someone Who Wasn’t Born Yet When They Debuted)

Long before BTS and One Direction, one of the biggest pop bands in the world was a 7-piece group from the UK whose sole purpose was to get the party started. S Club 7 formed in 1998 and went on to achieve huge success, in part due to a hit TV show, quintessential Y2K outfits , and catchy pop anthems, which have gone on to become karaoke staples to this day.

Formed by Simon Fuller, the man behind The Spice Girls , S Club 7 were together for nearly 15 years before calling it quits, spawning four studio albums and a string of hits in that time. Now, Tina, Paul, Hannah, Jon, Rachel, Bradley and Jo are “bringing it all back” with a much-hyped comeback for 2023.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by S Club 7 (@sclub7)

Some members of the Rolling Stone staff were incredibly excited by the news, though others weren’t as aware of S Club 7’s impact since they weren’t around when the group first made waves.

TIM CHAN : S Club 7 announced a comeback tour this week! I’m so excited!

TOMAS MIER : I have no idea who that is.

TC: What? They were like a huge pop group that had a mix of guys and girls in it, so they stood out compared to all the boy bands and girl groups from that era.

TM : So they’re like Now United ?

TC : Actually that’s a great comparison since both groups were started by Simon Fuller, the man who also managed The Spice Girls. I guess Now United was his way of trying to replicate S Club 7’s success.

TM : How do you know S Club 7?

TC : I grew up listening to them. They debuted in 1998 and were all over the radio.

TM : I wasn’t even born yet.

TC : …

TM : This sounds like music from Mervyn’s.

TC : No idea who he is.

TM : It’s a defunct department store.

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TM : I like that one. I was listening to that earlier.

TC : “S Club Party” and “Bring It All Back” are also iconic.

TM : They named a song after their own band?

TC : They also had their own TV show called S Club 7 in Miami , which aired on ABC Family. It was like High School Musical meets The Real World meets Glee .

TM : What’s Real World ?

TM : Why did the group originally break up?

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TM : So are you going to see the S Club 7 reunion tour?

TC : The group announced that they are reuniting for a small tour this year, kicking off in October. Unfortunately, they’ve only announced dates in the UK for now. I’d die if they came to the U.S.

Buy S Club 7 Reunion Tour Tickets

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TC : It’s to celebrate their 25th anniversary!

TM : I turn 25 in September!

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

S Club 7 reunion: Tour dates, locations and how to get tickets

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Everyone knows there ain’t no party like an S Club party, which is why all those who have Never Had A Dream Come True are buzzing to hear the gang are embarking on an epic reunion tour across the UK in 2023 .

And when we say the gang, we mean the whole gang will be taking to the stage for the occasion to mark the pop legends’ 25th anniversary.

For those with a short memory, that’s members Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt , Jo O’Meara , Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett.

Oh-em-gee, millennials everywhere are reaching for their devices and wallets in preparation for the tickets to drop, meanwhile Generation Z are busy messing up their lyrics on TikTok (apparently S Club is cool again?).

The seven-strong pop group climbed to fame around the late 90s with hits like Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’ and Bring It All Back and during their five years together sold a staggering 10million albums.

The 11-date S Club Reunited tour will see the icons perform together for the first time since their Children In Need effort in 2014, before which they hadn’t sang together since their split in 2003.

In a statement, the band said: ‘After eight years it feels amazing to announce that we’re reuniting and performing together again.

‘We’re so excited to bring the S Club Party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can’t even believe it’s been so long!

‘Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we’ve ever done. We hope everyone can join us for one big party!’

How much the tickets will be remains to be seen, but we do know a few things about the upcoming S Club 7 tour so far.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ConQ7Nbo-VI/?hl=en

Which cities are S Club 7 visiting on their reunion tour?

S Club 7 will open their epic reunion in Liverpool on October 13, before heading to Sheffield (October 14), Dublin (October 16), Glasgow (October 18), Newcastle (October 19), Leeds (October 20), Manchester (October 21), Cardiff (October 23), Nottingham (October 24), Birmingham (October 26) and London’s O2 Arena for their last stop on October 28.

What dates are S Club 7 going on tour?

S Club 7 Reunited will begin in Liverpool on October 13 2023, and will end in London’s O2 arena on October 28, almost a month later.

How to get tickets and when do they go on sale?

Tickets for the tour will be available to buy on Friday February 17 at 10am.

Tickets for UK dates will be available via  Gigs and Tours and Ticketmaster .

Tickets for the Ireland show will be available at Ticketmaster.ie .

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : S Club 7 livid that Gen Z get lyrics to classic tune Reach wrong on TikTok

MORE : Get ready for an S Club Party! All 7 band members returning for long-awaited UK and Ireland arena tour to celebrate 25th anniversary

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Is S Club 7’s 2023 reunion tour still happening?

The band has given an update following the death of Paul Cattermole last month

Just two months after the group announced a huge comeback tour, S Club 7 member Paul Cattermole died unexpectedly in early April at the age of 46. The cause of the singer's death has still not been confirmed, but police have said that it was not suspicious. 

Following Cattermole’s passing, the band released a statement which read: ‘We are truly devastated by the passing of our brother Paul. There are no words to describe the deep sadness and loss we all feel. We were so lucky to have had him in our lives and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. 

‘He will be so deeply missed by each and every one of us. We ask that you respect the privacy of his family and of the band at this time.’

The group found fame at the turn of the Millennium, having been put together by music mogul Simon Fuller (who has worked with acts such as Spice Girls, Kelly Clarkson and Amy Winehouse). The last time S Club – known for hits  ‘S Club Party’, ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’ and ‘Reach’ –  performed together was for their ‘Bring It All Back 2015’ tour. The tour was set to mark 25 years since the band first formed.

Of course, S Club fans have been wondering what the fate of the tour will be following the news of Cattermole’s death. Here’s everything we know.  

Is the S Club 7 reunion tour still going ahead? 

Five members of the band took to Instagram to confirm that the tour is still going ahead. However, they announced that Hannah Spearritt, who was in a relationship with Cattermole while they were in the band, will no longer be joining them at the shows. 

In the video, John Lee said: ‘ She won’t be joining us on this tour but we wish her all the best for the future. However, the five of us are really excited and geared up to crack on/’

Rachel Stevens added: ‘He’s always going to be with us. He was such a big part of this tour, so involved in everything that we are planning.

‘And we are just going to keep his memory alive and share it with all of you and it’s going to make it even more special.’

Where can I get tickets for the S Club 7 reunion tour?

Tickets are currently on sale via Ticketmaster .

How much do tickets cost?

Prices range from affordable to very spenny, depending on the kind of package you go for. Tickets start from £39.50 but if you’re after a VIP package, be prepared to part with up to £290. 

What dates are on the tour?

The tour will take place in October 2023, with dates in both the UK and Ireland. Here are the 11 shows they’ve announced so far:

Friday, October 13 2023 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena

Saturday, October 14 2023 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena

Monday, October 16 2023 – Dublin, 3Arena

Wednesday, October 18 2023 – Glasgow, Hydro Arena

Thursday, October 19 2023 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena

Friday, October 20 2023 – Leeds, First Direct Arena

Saturday, October 21 2023 – Manchester, AO Arena

Monday, October 23 2023 – Cardiff, International Arena

Tuesday, October 24 2023 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena

Thursday, October 26 2023 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena

Saturday, October 28 2023 – London, The O2

What members are in S Club 7?

Only five of the original members –  Rachel Stevens, Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh and Jo O’Meara – will be performing on the tour.

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The U.S. and Canada dates kick off on November 5 in San Francisco.

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S Club will be bringing their “Good Times” Reunion Tour to North America beginning November 5 in San Francisco. From there the band will travel to L.A. (November 6), Chicago (November 10), Boston (November 13), Philadelphia (November 14), New York (November 15), and Toronto (November 16).

Earlier this summer, the group celebrate its 25-year legacy with their first new music in 20 years, the new single “These Are The Days” out now via Universal Music.

“These Are The Days” was written by the band’s original No.1 hit songwriting team of Cathy Dennis, Simon Ellis, Johanne Ellis and producer John Nathaniel. The track pays tribute to the band’s former friend and beloved S Club member Paul Cattermole with a moving film story that ends with S Club revealed as the five piece pop act that they are today, featuring Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina.

‘Barbie Girl’: Aqua’s Joyous, Meaningful Anthem Still Resonates

The single marked the British group’s 25th anniversary and a sold out 15 date UK arena tour planned for Autumn 2023 which has been renamed “S Club: The Good Times Tour” as a tribute to Paul by taking the name of an S Club song and a big fan favorite on which he sang lead vocals. Now, the group will also be be bringing the show to the U.S.

Formed by Simon Fuller, the 25th anniversary tour is an opportunity for S Club fans of every generation to come together and re-experience the timeless pop hits that soundtracked the British charts for five years. Collectively, S Club amassed four UK number one singles with “Bring It All Back,” “Never Had a Dream Come True,” “Don’t Stop Movin’” and “Have You Ever” as well as the UK number one album 7. They recorded four studio albums, released 11 singles of which all entered the Top 5 UK charts, and went on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide.

With four multi-platinum selling albums, 2 BRIT Awards, and 9 number-one international hit singles to their name, S Club is a household name that is once again ready to rise.

Visit S Club’s official website for more information.

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S Club 7 Announce North American Dates of 25th Anniversary ‘Good Times’ Reunion Tour

North American fans of 2000’s Pop ensemble S Club 7 felt left out of the S Club party when the sevensome unexpectedly announced a 25th anniversary reunion tour earlier this year.

In response to the overwhelming demand to bring the trek across the Atlantic, the ‘ Bring It All Back’ hitmakers – comprised of surviving members Jon, Tina, Bradley, Rachel, and Jo – took to social media to announce they’ll be delivering fan favorites like ‘Never Had a Dream Come True,’ ‘You’re My Number One,’ ‘Natural,’ ‘Two in a Million ,’ and more to stages Stateside.

Details inside.

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Taking to Instagram earlier this month, the group reported they’re set to bring ‘The Good Times Tour’ to the USA & Canada across 7 shows kicking off November 5 .

“We’re so excited to announce that for the first time ever we’ll be touring outside of the UK. We can’t wait to have an S Club Party with you across North America for 7 special shows,” they announced to their nearly 80,000 followers on the platform. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('primis_TGJ_1x1_Desk'); if (pubwise.enabled === true) { pwpbjs.que.push(function () { pwRegisterLazyLoad(gptadslots['primis_TGJ_1x1_Desk'], 2, [250,0,250,0], 0, 768, 2); }); }else{ googletag.pubads().refresh([gptadslots['primis_TGJ_1x1_Desk']]); } });

Touching down in major metropolitan areas like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, and more, look below to see the full list of dates for the region.

Click here for ticket information.

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This was announced 2 weeks ago. A little on this…And also Aqua is doing a Barbie World Tour in North America in November as well. It’s so crazy that S Club has never toured in US but did their TV show in Miami, LA & Hollywood. And 5ive & All Saints need to do a North America tour next!

A little *late* on this….

All Saints are so good. They are totally different from S Club 7. Their sound was much more mature since their first release. They have such a nice catalogue, I’d definitely go see them live if I could.

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S Club 7 tour tickets: When tickets are on sale, pre-sale details and the full list of 2023 reunion tour dates

Get ready for a new s club party as the band reunite for their 25th anniversary.

S Club 7 are bringing it all back as they reunite for a UK tour to mark their 25th anniversary.

The seven-member band, which stormed the charts with hits such as “S Club Party” and “Don’t Stop Movin’” in the late 90s and early 2000s, will be reaching for the stars 25 years on fromtheir 1998 debut for the S club 7 Reunited tour.

All seven original members – Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O’Meara , Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett will perform together in a UK and Ireland arena tour.

Although they disbanded in 2003, there was a brief reunion in 2014 to perform a medley of hits for BBC Children in Need and tour with a rerelease of their greatest hits.

“After eight years it feels amazing to announce that we’re reuniting and performing together again”, the band said, “We’re so excited to bring the S Club party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7.”

Tour dates and venues

The 11-date tour begins on 13 October in Liverpool and will head to cities including Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dublin before culminating at the O2 in London .

Making the announcement on BBC’s The One Show, singer Mcintosh said it would have a nostalgic flavour: “Obviously we’re bringing the late 90s/early noughties. So it’s a lot of fun.”

The tour dates and venues are:

Friday 13 October at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool Saturday 14 October at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield Monday 16 October at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland Wednesday, 18 October at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland Thursday 19 October at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne Friday 20 October at the First Direct Arena in Leeds Saturday 21 October at the AO Arena in Manchester Monday 23 October at the International Arena in Cardiff, Wales Tuesday 24 October at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham Thursday 26 October at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham Saturday 28 October at the O2 in London

We can't wait to be reunited with you all this October 🇬🇧 Sign up before 5pm GMT tomorrow to gain access to PRE-SALE TICKETS via the link in our bio. PRE-SALE opens Wednesday 15th Feb, 10am GMT. GENERAL SALE opens Friday 17th Feb, 10am GMT 🎊 #SClub7Reunited pic.twitter.com/wBS2MbdiSK — S Club 7 (@SClub7) February 13, 2023

Tickets, pre-sale and prices

Fans of the band – originally created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller – who are hoping to grab pre-sale tickets will need to sign up to a mailing list before 5pm on Tuesday to get access to them.

The pre-sale opens on Wednesday 15 February at 10am. Tickets will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 17 February.

Ticket prices are expected to range from £39.48 to £73.38 with VIP packages for £290.90 and £160.39.

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S Club 7 reunion: Band announce 25th anniversary tour - 'We hope everyone can join us for one big party'

Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett are back together as S Club 7 - announcing some special shows to mark 25 years since the band was formed.

Tuesday 14 February 2023 10:15, UK

S Club 7 have announced a reunion tour - because of course, there ain't no party like an S Club party.

The seven-piece pop group, who had hits including Reach, Don't Stop Movin' and Bring It All Back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, are getting back together to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary.

All the original members - Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett - will perform in a reunion tour of the UK and Ireland in October.

"It feels amazing to announce that we're reuniting and performing together again," the band said in a statement. "We're so excited to bring the S Club party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7.

"We can't even believe it's been so long. Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we've ever done.

"We hope everyone can join us for one big party."

Originally created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, the band rose to fame in their own TV series, Miami 7, and released the show's theme tune, Bring It All Back, as their debut single. They were together from 1998 until 2003, when they disbanded, but briefly reunited in 2014 to perform a medley of hits for the BBC Children In Need appeal.

During their five years together they produced four studio albums and topped the charts with singles including Never Had A Dream Come True and Have You Ever.

What have the band members been up to?

After the band's break-up, the stars went their separate ways, with Stevens launching a solo music career and competing on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice.

Spearritt pursued a TV acting career, with roles in shows such as ITV's Primeval, while Lee went on to perform in West End shows including Les Miserables and Jersey Boys.

McIntosh, O'Meara and Cattermole later became members of the spin-off group S Club Allstars, previously S Club 3, with Barrett joining them in 2014.

O'Meara also released solo music and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007.

Struggles following S Club split

Some of the band members have spoken out publicly about the difficulties they faced after leaving the band, with Cattermole selling the Brit award he won for £66,000 in 2018, after stating he had "bills to pay".

Last month Spearritt revealed she was homeless over Christmas and said she had spent the past six months living in multiple temporary homes with her family.

S Club 7 will open their 11-date reunion tour on in Liverpool on 13 October before continuing to cities including Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester.

The O2 Arena in London will be the last stop on the tour, on 28 October.

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After 25 years, S Club is bringing it all back to the stage with their 'Good Times' tour

There ain't no party like an S Club party — and U.S. fans are about to find out once again.

The year was 1999 and seven British singers — consisting of Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O’Meara, Rachel Steven, Hannah Spearritt and the late Paul Cattermole — were cruising in Miami, enjoying the beach life while performing choreographed moves and singing, “ Don’t stop, never give up/Hold your head high and reach the top/Let the world see what you have got, ” from their debut single “ Bring It All Back .”

If you were a ‘90s kid, S Club (then known as S Club 7) was the catchy and bubbly girl/guy group that not only filled the airwaves but your TV screen with their series “S Club 7 in Miami,” in which they played fictionalized versions of themselves.

“We’ve been going through a lot of old footage recently,” Lee, sitting next to Barrett, Lee, McIntosh, O’Meara and Stevens, tells TODAY.com via Zoom in England. “So that’s brought back loads of fond memories — some that have been forgotten, actually, in the back of my mind somewhere.”

The five singers are all in their pre-show attire, consisting of casual T-shirts and jeans, before they get glammed up in bright-colored leotards for the ladies and sequins for the guys.

"We've actually been wearing less clothes than we've ever worn, you know, but in a classy way. It's very glam," Barrett says, adding that Beyoncé and Jennifer Lopez were their inspiration.

Lounging on velvet dark grey couches backstage ahead of their show, they will take the stage in just hours to perform their biggest hits to screaming fans. The nostalgia runs deep for the group and the early aughts.

Bringing it all back to the stage and their fans

Twenty-five years since they debuted, the five members reunited to celebrate their anniversary milestone with their “S Club: The Good Times Tour.” They’re also honoring their late group member Cattermole, who died of heart-related issues in April at the age 46, less than two months after they  announced the reunion tour . Spearritt is not participating.

After releasing their debut album, “S Club,” in October 1999, their show continued to air on Fox Family (now Freeform) for four seasons until 2002. Four albums later, hit singles like “S Club Party,” “Natural” and “Never Had a Dream Come True,” which reached No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Chart, along with various TV and film projects, they called it quits in 2003. S Club reunited in various capacities over the last two decades, but this was meant to be their full comeback.

“You never really know,” Steven says about reuniting. “We reunited in 2015, and then things bubbled up every now and again. But this being our 25th anniversary, we got an email from (group creator) Simon Fuller, and it’s all about timing, isn’t it? We’re all in that place where we were just really ready to come back ... There’s so much love, and that nostalgia for people I think is really important right now and it was the perfect time.”

A reunion tour was a year in the making — and filled with heartbreak

Planning for the 25th anniversary tour began in November 2022 while the official news was announced in February of this year. At the time, all seven original members were on board and only touring in Europe in October. They later announced dates in the U.S. and Canada, which have since been rescheduled for 2024.

On April 7, the group revealed Cattermole’s death in a statement shared on their social media. A month later, the five members shared tearful memories of their “brother” while announcing that Spearritt wasn’t going to be joining the tour. They also renamed it “The Good Times Tour” in tribute to Cattermole, who sang “Good Times” on their third album.

The group shares — and as fans have seen on their social media — that there’s a section of the show that’s dedicated to Cattermole.

“It’s old footage and things like that, which is really emotional and a lot of fans have found it very emotional at the same time,” Lee says. “It’s a celebration of him rather than, it’s not doom and gloom.”

"Paul has been such a massive part in this tour in every single way." Rachel Stevens

Stevens adds that Cattermole has been “such a massive part in this tour in every single way” and that he’s always on their mind.

O’Meara remembers getting “quite emotional” during the opening night of the tour on Oct. 12 in Manchester, England.

“Just before we actually walked out to that crowd, because I think that’s when it suddenly sort of hit all of us, like, ‘Wow, there’s a lot of people out there and they’re still screaming out for S Club,’” she says. “It can get quite overwhelming sometimes, I think we just feel so lucky.”

These are the days we’ll always remember

Aside from reminiscing on their early days and being back on stage, there's a new generation of S Clubers. The ladies are now mothers and are excited for their children to see them on stage.

"I'm really excited because this is gonna be the first time Roman is seeing me on stage with the band and on this scale," Barrett says of her 7-year-old son. "So he's really excited."

Stevens echoes the sentiments when it comes to her two daughters, Amelie, 12, and Minnie, 9. O'Meara is also mother to 15-year-old son Lenny. They brought out their kids to their Oct. 27 show in London.

Earlier this year, S Club released their first song in 20 years titled “These Are The Days” in honor of Cattermole. Pretty soon, fans will get even more new music.

“There will definitely be new music next year. We don’t know what it is yet, but that’s something we’ve all talk about,” Lee teases, with Barrett adding, “And we’ve always done TV stuff. So yeah, maybe a documentary, who knows.”

In the meantime, the singers are excited to come back to the U.S. “and connect with the American fans,” McIntosh says.

It's been a year of reflection and taking care of one's mental and physical health, they say. But above all else, they've enjoyed spending the family they've created.

“As a group, I think we now are closer than we’ve ever been. Before, it was our job, it was our life, but after 20 years you realize we’re connected together forever for the rest of our lives,” Lee says.

“There’s only seven people in the world that know what it’s like to be in S Club 7 and we’re the guys. We always had that connection with each other and I think we sort of, now that we’re older, time has passed, we realized that we are this little family.”

Catch S Club's 'The Good Times Tour' in the US and Canada

S Club were originally scheduled to tour in the U.S. and Canada in November following their Europe dates. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the group had to postpone their tour and announced rescheduled dates.

• Feb. 16, 2024: Toronto, Ontario, Canada at Meridian Hall
• Feb. 18, 2024: Boston, Massachusetts at Roadrunner
• Feb. 20: 2024: New York, New York at Terminal 5
• Feb. 22, 2024: Chicago, Illinois at Rosemont Theatre
• Feb. 27, 2024: Los Angeles, California at The Orpheum Theatre

The S Club concert originally scheduled for Nov. 6 at Dolby Theatre has been cancelled and moved to The Orpheum Theatre on Feb. 27, 2024. All existing ticketholders for the Dolby Theatre will be refunded and are encouraged to repurchase tickets to The Orpheum Theatre. Tickets for The Orpheum Theatre will go on sale on Friday, Nov. 10, and existing Dolby Theatre ticketholders will receive further information via email.

Additionally, the S Club concerts on Nov. 5 at The Warfield and Nov. 14 at Franklin Music Hall have been cancelled. People who purchased tickets via AXS online or by phone will be issued an automatic refund to the credit card you used to purchase. Otherwise, refunds are available at your original point of purchase.

Liz Calvario is a Los Angeles-based reporter and editor for TODAY.com who covers entertainment, pop culture and trending news.

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S Club 7 Reunite For 25th Anniversary Tour

The British pop outfit will play 11 arena dates in the U.K. and Ireland.

By Lars Brandle

Lars Brandle

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S Club 7 are bringing it all back for a reunion tour of the U.K. and Ireland.

The original seven members — Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O’Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett — will set out for a 25th anniversary nostalgia trip later in the year.

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“We can’t even believe it’s been so long. Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we’ve ever done. We hope everyone can join us for one big party.”

Tickets will be available to the public from Friday (Feb. 17).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by S Club 7 (@sclub7)

Formed in 1998 by pop svengali Simon Fuller, S Club 7 went on to become one of the U.K.’s biggest pop bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Along the way, the seven-strong act landed four U.K. No. 1 singles (“Bring It All Back,” “Never Had A Dream Come True,” “Don’t Stop Movin’” and “Have You Ever”) and a No. 1 album with 2000’s 7 .

Fans will remember that they also starred on the family sitcom  Miami 7/S Club 7 in Miami,  about seven friends who relocate to Miami in search of fame, playing exaggerated versions of their own personalities. (The show aired on ABC Family in the United States.)

The group disbanded in 2003, with Stevens going on to enjoy a high-profile pop career in her homeland, bagging five top 10 singles, including No. 2s for “Sweet Dreams My LA Ex” (2003) and “Some Girls” (2004).

Then, in 2014 , the singers joined forces once more to perform for the BBC Children In Need appeal. The reunion gathered pace when a U.K. tour was booked the following year.

More on the 2023 tour will be revealed at a press conference Tuesday morning (Feb. 14), streamed live on Instagram and YouTube.

Got a question about the tour? Comment below and two lucky fans will get their question answered at tomorrow's Press Conference, streaming LIVE on Instagram and YouTube Tuesday 14th February at 11am GMT 📣📣📣 pic.twitter.com/54vvk9QJ2N — S Club 7 (@SClub7) February 13, 2023

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S Club 7 tour: How to get tickets to pop group’s 25th anniversary reunion shows

All seven members will be returning to tour across the uk and ireland this october, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

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Children of the Nineties are collectively rejoicing as S Club 7 have announced plans to reunite for a national tour.

On Monday (13 February), the seven-piece pop band shared that they will be performing across the country later in 2023 in celebration of their 25th anniversary.

Made up of Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole, Hannah Spearritt , Bradley McIntosh, Rachel Stevens and Jo O’Meara, S Club 7 is known for high-energy tunes such as “S Club Party” and “Don’t Stop Movin’”.

Though some members have worked together over the years, this marks a rare instance of all parts returning to perform.

In a statement, they spoke of their anticipation to be together on the stage once more.

• ‘I’m not having it’: Claudia Winkleman’s disastrous 2003 interview with S Club 7
• Super Bowl 2023: Sign language interpreter ‘stole the show’ during Rihanna’s performance, say impressed viewers
• Bella Ramsey says she wore a chest binder ‘90 per cent’ of the time while shooting The Last of Us

“After eight years it feels amazing to announce that we're reuniting and performing together again,” the official message reads.

“We're so excited to bring the S Club Party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can't even believe it's been so long!

“Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we've ever done. We hope everyone can join us for one big party!”

S Club 7 in 2014

The group first formed in 1998 before releasing their number-one debut single, “Bring it All Back”, the following year.

By the time they disbanded in 2003, the group had recorded four studio albums, released 11 singles that all entered the top 5 UK charts, and sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

How to get tickets

Tickets for the tour go on sale on Friday 17 February at 10am.

UK dates will be available via www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk . Tickets for Ireland will be available via www.ticketmaster.ie .

Starting in Liverpool, the tour will span over 11 dates and end at London’s O2 Arena.

The dates are as follows:

13 October – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena

14 October – Sheffield, Utilita Arena

16 October – Dublin, 3Arena

18 October – Glasgow, OVO Hydro

19 October – Newcastle, Utilita Arena

20 October – Leeds, First Direct Arena

21 October – Manchester, AO Arena

23 October – Cardiff, International Arena

24 October – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena

26 October – Birmingham, Utilita Arena

28 October – London, The O2

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S Club 7 announce anniversary reunion tour dates for October 2023 including Liverpool

They will open their 11-date tour on October 13 in Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena

• 21:50, 13 FEB 2023
• Updated 11:27, 14 FEB 2023

S Club 7 have announced they are reuniting for a UK tour later this year in celebration of their 25th anniversary.

The seven-piece pop group were originally created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller in 1998 and produced hits including Reach, Don't Stop Movin' and their debut Bring It All Back. In 2003 they disbanded but briefly came back together in 2014 to perform a medley of their best-known songs for BBC Children In Need.

Their new UK and Ireland arena reunion tour will see the original seven members - Rachel Stevens, Bradley McIntosh, Hannah Spearritt, Jo O'Meara, Jon Lee, Paul Cattermole and Tina Barrett - back on the road together. The band said: "After eight years it feels amazing to announce we're reuniting and performing together again."

READ MORE: New Lidl hair styling range rivalling Dyson Supersonic for less than £20

They added: "We're so excited to bring the S Club party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can't even believe it's been so long. Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we've ever done. We hope everyone can join us for one big party."

They will open their 11-date tour on October 13 in Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena before continuing to cities including Dublin, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester. The O2 in London will be the last stop on the tour on October 28.

Appearing on BBC's The One Show after the announcement, singer McIntosh revealed the tour will have a nostalgic feeling to it. he said: "Obviously we're bringing the late 90s/early noughties. So it's a lot of fun. Our music is very positive and I think in today's times you need a bit of positive, you need to be picking up so that's what we're here to do."

The group confirmed everyone had immediately agreed to reunite as it "felt like the right time" for them. They said they were most excited to perform their hit Reach on the tour but added that they were open to fans contacting them through social media to request what songs they would like to hear during the shows.

During their five years together they produced four studio albums with their debut, S Club , launching in 1999. They followed this up with the chart-topper 7 in 2000, Sunshine in 2001 and Seeing Double in 2002.

The group also achieved number one status on a number of tracks including Never Had A Dream Come True and Have You Ever. They also cemented their fame after starring in their own BBC TV series Miami 7 and LA 7.

After they called it a day, band members went on to explore other pursuits, with Stevens launching a solo music career and competing on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing On Ice. Spearritt became a TV actress, with roles in shows such as ITV's Primeval, and Lee has performed in West End shows including Les Miserables and Jersey Boys.

McIntosh, O'Meara and Cattermole later became members of the spin-off group S Club Allstars, previously S Club 3, with Barrett joining them in 2014. O'Meara, who also released solo music and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2007, has gone through a number of back operations in recent years.

She confirmed on The One Show she feels "ready" to get back on stage, adding: "I'm doing physio. I'm allowed to swim now so I'm just starting to get my back stronger but I will definitely be there on that stage. 100%."

Get your tickets for S Club 7 here.

When do tickets for the S Club 7 reunion tour go on sale?

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, February 17 at 10am. Prices start at £39.48 and can be bought on the M&S Bank Arena website.

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S Club 7 tour dates and how to get tickets to the 25th anniversary reunion concerts

Everything you need to know about S Club 7's reunion tour

• Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

All seven members of the pop group will be touring the UK - here's a rundown of the S Club 7 tour dates and ticket prices.

Music fans have already been treated to some huge tours taking place in 2023, from the Glastonbury line-up announcement and the scramble to secure Beyoncé tickets , to Harry Styles' 'Love on Tour' and Lewis Capaldi tickets too. And now, the group that gave us 'Reach', 'S Club Party' and 'Never Had a Dream Come True' are returning with a 25th anniversary tour across the UK. That's right, S Club 7 are getting back together.

In a statement, the group said: "After eight years it feels amazing to announce that we're reuniting and performing together again. We're so excited to bring the S Club Party back to our fans across the country to celebrate 25 years of S Club 7. We can't even believe it's been so long! Music and friendship have always been at the core of everything that we've ever done. We hope everyone can join us for one big party!"

How to get S Club 7 tickets

Tickets for the S Club 7 reunion tour go on sale on Friday 17 February at 10am. They can be bought via Ticketmaster , The Ticket Factory and Gigs and Tours .

Fans of the group can also sign up to the presale using the Gigs and Tours pre-sale access form . The sign-up page closes at 5pm on Tuesday 14 February, and presale tickets will go live on Wednesday 15 February at 10am. 

We can't wait to be reunited with you all this October 🇬🇧 Sign up before 5pm GMT tomorrow to gain access to PRE-SALE TICKETS via the link in our bio. PRE-SALE opens Wednesday 15th Feb, 10am GMT. GENERAL SALE opens Friday 17th Feb, 10am GMT 🎊 #SClub7Reunited pic.twitter.com/wBS2MbdiSK February 13, 2023

S Club 7 tour dates 2023

• 13 October - Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
• 14 October - Sheffield, Utilita Arena
• 16 October - Dublin, 3Arena
• 18 October - Glasgow, OVO Hydro
• 19 October - Newcastle, Utilita Arena
• 20 October - Leeds, First Direct Arena
• 21 October - Manchester, AO Arena
• 23 October - Cardiff, International Arena
• 24 October - Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
• 26 October - Birmingham, Utilita Arena
• 28 October - London, The O2

How much are S Club 7 tickets?

Glasgow's OVO Hydro has shared that S Club 7 tour tickets will cost between £38.60 and £291.15, and it's likely that prices will be similar for other venues. 

However, an official announcement on ticket prices hasn't been shared, and we'll have to wait until the pre-sale begins on Wednesday 15 February to find out exactly how much it will cost to secure tickets to the 25th anniversary event, along with the different tiers of tickets available.

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A post shared by S Club 7 (@sclub7) A photo posted by on

S Club 7: Where are they now?

• Rachel Stevens went solo after S Club 7 split, and released hit song 'Sweet Dreams My LA Ex'. More recently, she joined Dancing On Ice in 2022, where she was the third celebrity to be eliminated. 
• Tina Barrett has continued with her music career, and released another single Mwah Mwah in January 2020 as well as appearing on The Hit List with ex-bandmate Bradley in December 2022.
• Jon Lee stayed on stage after leaving S Club 7, performing in Les Miserables, Aladdin and Jersey Boys . In 2017, he performed in band Boys Allowed as part of Let's Sing and Dance for Comic Relief.
• Paul Cattermole has launched a career as a tarot reader on YouTube , after the ex-band member fell on hard times. During an appearance on Loose Women in 2018, he admitted he had run out of money and had to borrow a shirt for the show. 
• Bradley McIntosh went on to write music, and his work has included hits for JLS and Sugababes' Mutya Buena. He now runs artist management company Citiboy Entertainment.
• Jo O’Meara was most recently in the news for supporting British healthcare workers during the pandemic by singing songs chosen by them. She's suffered with health issues in the past few years, and in 2022 underwent four surgeries to remove part of a slipped disc in her back. 
• Hannah Spearritt started a career in acting after S Club 7 disbanded, and also released a documentary called Hannah Spearritt: Me & Breast Implants. She's now in the process of setting up her own holistic wellness café in South West London.

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XSCAPE and SWV Reunite for ‘Queens of R&B Tour’ Featuring MÝA, Total, and 702

Legendary groups XSCAPE and SWV have excited fans by announcing their joint tour, The Queens of R&B Tour , supported by MÝA, Total, and 702. This reunion tour celebrates women’s undeniable talent and camaraderie in the music industry, showcasing passion, power, and resilience.

Produced by Monami Entertainment and Live Nation, and represented by Seth Shomes of Day After Day Productions (DADP), the tour kicks off on June 27th at the Toyota Pavilion at Concord in Concord, CA. It will grace prestigious venues like Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, offering a night of unforgettable R&B performances across 30 cities nationwide.

Tickets for this monumental event go on sale starting with a Citi presale on Tuesday, March 26, followed by additional presales throughout the week. General ticket sales commence on Friday, March 29, at 10:00 AM local time on Ticketmaster.com. Don’t miss the chance to experience this historic reunion of R&B royalty.

THE QUEENS OF R&B TOUR DATES:

Thu Jun 27 – Concord, CA – Toyota Pavilion at Concord 

Sat Jun 29 – Las Vegas, NV – Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino 

Tue Jul 02 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre 

Wed Jul 03 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater 

Fri Jul 05 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion 

Sat Jul 06 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman 

Tue Jul 09 – North Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena 

Wed Jul 10 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at The BJCC 

Fri Jul 12 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place 

Sat Jul 13 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre 

Sun Jul 14 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre 

Tue Jul 16 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre 

Wed Jul 17 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion 

Fri Jul 19 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena* 

Sat Jul 20 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek 

Sun Jul 21 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach 

Wed Jul 24 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden 

Thu Jul 25 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center 

Fri Jul 26 – Boston, MA – TD Garden 

Sat Jul 27 – Atlantic City, NJ – Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall

Fri Aug 02 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater 

Sat Aug 03 – Syracuse, NY – Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview 

Sun Aug 04 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena 

Tue Aug 06 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater 

Fri Aug 09 – Detroit, MI – LIttle Caesar’s Arena 

Sat Aug 10 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center 

Sun Aug 11 – Chicago, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre 

Tue Aug 13 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena 

Wed Aug 14 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center 

Sun Aug 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 

* Without Mýa

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Russian Capitals

A visit to the glorious capitals of Russia will engage your senses and unfold the cultural, historical and modern aspects of new and old "Mother Russia"

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Russia City Breaks

Experience some of the world's most exciting cities on our guided tours of Moscow and St Petersburg. Moscow is an endlessly fascinating metropolis and a must-visit for anyone who loves the bustle of city life. It’s chaotic, diverse, enigmatic and constantly changing, with something to suit virtually any traveller’s tastes. As the scene of so many world-changing events throughout the ages, one day in Moscow is never enough in this captivating, confounding capital of contradictions.

A full-throttle city, any trip to Moscow is guaranteed to be thrilling and unique, but the most popular destination in Russia is Saint Petersburg , known as the country’s cultural capital. Great artists have flocked here for centuries, shaping the city’s sophisticated, distinctly European air. The ornate splendour of St Petersburg’s architecture has given rise to its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Moscow and St Petersburg Holiday Highlights

• Join a dedicated arts, history and culture tour of Moscow. Uncover the revolutionary tales behind many of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
• First time in Moscow? In just three days on a privately guided Moscow city tour, you can visit the legendary Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral, the Kremlin, Arbat Street and much more.
• Tailor your free time in Moscow to suit your interests. Follow the Soviet trail to Stalin’s Bunker, or try luxury vodka tasting at Cristall Vodka Museum.
• Discover the cosmopolitan soul of St Petersburg on a guided walking tour to Nevsky Prospekt (the city’s high street), St Isaac’s Cathedral and Peter and Paul Fortress.
• Lose yourself in the grand halls of St Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum, home to around three million priceless works including paintings, sculptures and ancient artefacts.
• Enjoy an elegant night out at the Russian ballet or opera. There’s the legendary Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, while St Petersburg is home to the renowned Mariinsky Theatre and Mikhailovsky Theatre.

If you can’t decide which Russian city to visit, why not see both? The high-speed Sapsan train takes just four hours to cover the 630km city-to-city journey and is our transport of choice for our combined Moscow and St Petersburg tours.

Only have time for one and not sure which city in Russia to choose? Both have absolutely stunning architecture in spades, but Moscow’s history runs far deeper. The city was founded in 1147, 400 years before it became the capital of the Tsarist Empire. The world-famous Kremlin is located in Moscow in the Red Square, along with St Basil’s Cathedral. Meanwhile, the grand palaces, monuments and cathedrals of St Petersburg’s World Heritage-listed historic city centre can be explored by boat on the city’s network of canals. St Petersburg is home to around five million residents, while the population of the greater Moscow Metropolitan Area is estimated at at least 20 million! Losing yourself (both figuratively and literally - although thank goodness for tour guides!) in the world’s largest megacities is an experience never to be forgotten. Love the nightlife? Moscow is party central, while St Petersburg makes up for its more subdued clubbing scene with a proliferation of live music venues and small bars. 

Moscow, St Petersburg and Golden Ring Rendezvous

This tour of Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Golden Ring explores the places that shaped Russia’s history – past, present and future. Uncover Moscow’s ongoing revolutionary spirit, before journeying back in time to rural, medieval Russia. End in St Petersburg, a city of royal splendour and undeniable romance.

Highlights of Moscow & St Petersburg

Immerse yourself in the art, history and culture of Russia and explore the contrasting styles of Moscow and St Petersburg in just one week. Experience the iconic landmarks of Moscow, then, take a fast train to Saint Petersburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Moscow and St Petersburg in Style

This carefully crafted 9-day itinerary tells the tale of two cities – Moscow, the source of Eastern political, economic and spiritual influence, and St Petersburg – Russia’s cultural epicentre and window to Western Europe.

Treasures of St Petersburg

This in-depth tour is a fun and fascinating discovery of the legacy of Imperialist Russia, just in one week. A showcase for the wealth and tastes of the Emperors of Russia from Peter the Great onwards, this tour will guide you through iconic estates, sumptuous palaces, extensive landscape gardens, and a treasuries of art and history.

Classic Moscow - Art, History and Culture

Breathe in the history of Moscow, explore its Imperial and soviet past, dynamic contemporary culture and lifestyle. On this 5-day tour of Moscow, you'll visit the must-see sights with your private guide and explore the city at your own pace.

Moscow & St Petersburg Winter Escapade

Experience the romantic, winter wonderland atmosphere and festive city lights of Russia’s two biggest cities and celebrate the New Year! You’ll discover some of the cities' most iconic attractions and lesser-known gems.

Moscow Vibes – Three Day City Escape

This handcrafted Moscow tour is perfectly planned weekend exploration of Russia capital's most famous tourist attractions. You will enjoy a panoramic tour of this magnificent city, will explore mighty Kremlin and Red Square and indulge in world-famed Moscow metro and Arbat street.

Golden Ring at a Glance

Take a short detour from Moscow to discover the age-old allure of Russia. Travelling from the capital to the countryside, where golden spires and the onion-shaped domes of colourful monasteries dot the horizon, explore the historic and enchanting towns of Suzdal, Vladimir and Sergiev Posad.

Golden Ring - Reflections of Russian Heritage

The tour will take you to the eight cities of the Golden Ring, starting from Vladimir. The 'classical' route will take you to the fascinating sites of ancient cities. Get to see calm, slow, peaceful life in rural Russia and enjoy its architectural gems, culture and history.

Northern Lights in Russia: Arctic Winter Magic

Explore main sights of mighty Moscow and cultural capital of Russia - Saint Petersburg. Head to Karelia, where we’ll stop to admire the Ruskeala Mountain Park and historic Kizhi Island. Discover the customs of the indigenous Saami in Kola Peninsula and observe Aurora Borealis dancing in the sky.

Gems of Karelia - Kizhi Island, Solovki and Valaam

Enjoy all major sights of Karelia just in a 7-day tour. You will visit Kizhi and Valaam Islands, Kivach Waterfall and Ruskeala Park, Solovetsky and Valaam monasteries. See the true beauty of the Russian North by immersing yourself in Karelian culture, architecture, history, and art.

A custom tour made to order

We understand sometimes our set departure dates do not align with your ability to travel at that time, or you just want to travel bespoke. We got you covered.

Go custom — gives you the choice & flexibility of creating your own bespoke itinerary, using our tours for inspiration.

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View of the Kremlin and surrounding area from 1825. From The Album of Ancient Views of the Moscow Kremlin , by Ivan Zabelin. Available online from the Yeltsin Library .

The Kremlin: Moscow’s Historical Heart Through the Ages

Published: December 3, 2021

The Moscow Kremlin has long been the main symbol of Moscow and Russia – and for good reason. It was with the Kremlin that city of Moscow officially began and from which it grew. The Prince of Moscow, ruling from the Kremlin and drawing on the growing power of his city, united and conquered the cities and lands around him to create Russia.

While the Kremlin can be seen as something of a constant in Russian history, the Kremlin itself has seen major changes within its walls and to its own status. It has lost and gained buildings. It has changed from the seat of government to an ancillary structure, back to the governmental seat, and finally to a museum complex.

The resource below unites the work of multiple SRAS students writing on Home and Abroad , Challenge Grants , and Online Research Internships to bring you an overarching view of this iconic complex.

The Kremlin Walls

By Hudson Dobbs

The Kremlin was first established in 1156 by Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy. This post-dates the first mention of Moscow, which dates back to 1147, when Prince Dolgorukiy invited Prince Sviatoslav of Chernigov to Moscow to celebrate their alliance.

The actual site of this stronghold has likely been occupied since the second millennium BCE. It likely had fortifications built there as early as the 10th century, by the then-resident Vyatichi, a tribe of Slavic peoples.

Eventually, Prince Dolgorukiy ordered the construction of what would become the Kremlin walls. These first walls were tall and expansive and built out of wood. Although this structure was built for protection, it also served as a symbol for the power and strength of the new city of Moscow.

While the first walls did their job well, they were eventually burnt down by Tatar-Mongol forces and later upgraded to more fire-resistant oak in 1339. As the city grew, the Kremlin also further developed, and with it the popularity of building fortresses in town centers. Cities such as Smolensk, Kazan, Novgorod, and Pskov all constructed a Kremlin of their own. In fact, the word “kremlin” simply means “a fortress within a city.”

By the 13th century, the Kremlin housed the political and spiritual power of the state, with residences, workshops, churches, and state buildings all residing within its walls. In the 1360’s, Prince Dmitry Donskoy rebuilt the walls in limestone and a gleaming white Kremlin soon became the iconic image of Moscow. These walls were credited in helping the city defend itself from sieges by Grand Duke Algirdas of Lithuania in the late 1360’s.

The walls and towers that exist today are still another iteration, and were built on the order of Grand Prince Ivan III, also known as Ivan the Great, from 1485 to 1495. Ivan wanted to build something grander and more worthy of being his residence – something that would be comparable to Constantinople in terms of size and importance.

Wanting what would be specifically a “Third Rome,” Ivan invited Italian architects such as Aristotele Fioravanti and Pietro Antonio Solari. Their involvement is why the current fortress closely resembles castles of Northern Italy. Its red brick made the Kremlin unique for the time, as it was the first structure in Russia built from such material.

These brick walls have stood, with minor adjustments, since that time. One noticeable change came in the late 1600s, when Tsar Fyodor Alekseevich ordered the red brick to be whitewashed in limestone, returning it to gleaming white the city had been hitherto known for. Eventually, the whitewash stopped being maintained and was allowed to wear off, a process that was complete by the 1900s.

Grand Kremlin Palace Tour

By Jack Fisher

Formerly the Moscow residence of the Russian tsars, the Grand Kremlin Palace (not to be confused with the State Kremlin Palace) is a complex inside the Kremlin. It now hosts diplomatic meetings and official state ceremonies including presidential inaugurations. It is also designated as a residence of the President of the Russian Federation, but is rarely used for that purpose.

When SRAS gave me the opportunity to take an exclusive tour of this complex, which is an exclusive tour that is normally off-limits to the general public, I had to take it.

This particular tour is different from those that cover the more public areas inside the Kremlin and requires signing up early and submitting your documents for a security check.

I met the tour group on a Friday afternoon in Aleksandrovski Sad, which borders the Kremlin walls. From there, we made our way towards the Kremlin grounds entrance. There was a huge line to get into the grounds through a first security checkpoint, but we were able to skip straight to the front of it since we had registered for our tour ahead of time. Once we were through the gate, the crowd thinned out significantly.

As we walked through the Kremlin grounds, we saw other tour groups taking photos of the landscaping, palace, and other historical buildings. Unlike us, they didn’t have the permission of the Russian government to enter the actual palace. When we got to the palace, we walked through the front doors, crossed a second security checkpoint, met our guide, and started the tour.

Our tour guide inside the building was a woman that worked in preservation. She only spoke Russian, so everything was translated for us by an SRAS-hired guide to English. We began on the first floor of the newer section of the palace and saw several ornate living rooms and guest rooms, followed by the empress’s and emperor’s chambers. Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to see the emperor’s office and bathroom as President Putin had decided to use them as his personal study for the remainder of his time in office.

After the first floor, we headed upstairs to the second. From the outside the palace appeared to have three floors, but in reality the second floor just had massive, vaulted ceilings and two levels of windows. From what I saw, the second floor seemed to be where the fun happened. The first major room we walked into was the Hall of the Order of St. George, built to house major military meetings and balls and today used as a large conference room. There were names of famous military officers and soldiers inscribed on the walls, and the hall looked like it could hold hundreds of guests. Then it was on to the Hall of the Order of St. Vladimir, which was way less cool. It did, however, have the largest chandelier in the palace, for what that’s worth.

Next, we moved into the oldest section of the palace. It was built in the late 1400s and the newer sections of the palace were built out to connect with it. Our guide told us that by the time of the last czars, the older section was used strictly for ceremonial purposes. The walls were covered with paintings of historical rulers and religious figures. It was definitely my favorite room as there seemed to be an aura of timelessness hanging about the place.

Then we went back through the Hall of the Order of St. Vladimir and through another hall to the older bedchamber of the czar and an older, smaller meeting room for the czar and his nobles. This section was markedly different as there was none of the opulence of the newer palace. It had a utilitarian feel due to its practical layout with comfortable but plain looking chairs, reasonably sized paintings, low ceilings and large traditional Russian stoves.

Finally, we visited the throne room. It was massive, just like the Hall of the Order of St. George, and had polished stone and gilding everywhere. Unfortunately, it was a reconstruction. Our guide let us know that the soviets had torn it apart when they came to power, creating what looked like a massive classroom to house the first meetings of the Soviet Congress. The Russian government had restored it completely within the past decade. She also let us know that the current heir to the Russian throne is Prince Harry of England, which is an interesting fact I’ve been surprising Brits with lately.

On our way out, we exited through a portrait hall. Most of the portraits were typical Enlightenment and Victorian era paintings with stuffy looking people. However, one painting caught my eye: the portrait of Knyaz Sbyatoclav. The man looked absolutely hardcore (and you can see him below in a photo I took).

In my opinion, it was definitely worth $75. While I wouldn’t go twice, the fact of the matter is that you get to see the inside of a beautiful building and stand in rooms that very powerful people meet in and have met in for hundreds of years – which is an opportunity that few regular people are given. Don’t think that it’s too expensive, because you’ll have the experience and memory with you for the rest of your life.

The Kremlin Without a Capital (1712-1918)

By Lee Sullivan

The Kremlin has always been a symbol of Russian power and authority. It is often used interchangeably with the Russian state in journalism and academic literature. This is not surprising considering the Kremlin is situated in the heart of Moscow and has typically housed Russian rulers and their offices – and continues to contain an official residence and office for Russian president Vladimir Putin. However, not all of Russia’s leaders have always called the Moscow fortress home. This article covers the nearly 200 years of Kremlin history when Moscow was not the capital.

Peter the Great moved Russia’s capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg in 1712. Despite the continued crowning of tsars in the Annunciation Cathedral and symbols of power in the Kremlin vaults, Moscow’s role in state life was minimal compared to that of the new capital. This changed when a new stage of construction began under Catherine the Great. Even though St. Petersburg was the new capital, she was crowned in Moscow following ancient tradition. A commission to replace the code of laws from Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich’s time was called in Moscow and its session was held in the Kremlin’s Faceted Palace. This was a sign that under Catherine the Great the state would be ruled from both St. Petersburg and Moscow. Additionally, the Senate was divided into departments under Catherine. Four were in St. Petersburg and two were in the newly commissioned Senate Building, which still stands in the Moscow Kremlin.

Catherine additionally planned a grand reconstruction of the Kremlin interior, one that would have seen most of its buildings demolished, save for the historic cluster of churches, and replaced with modern imperial architecture built with long, straight roads, much like St. Petersburg itself. Demolition was started, including to parts of the original Kremlin walls, when cracks began to appear in one of the cathedral walls due to the resulting disruption of the soil. Because of this, and because of the project’s already enormous cost, it was cancelled, and the original walls re-built.

In September of 1812, French troops occupied Moscow. Napoleon, who led them, planned to occupy the Kremlin as his residence. It is widely thought that in defense against the French, the Moscow mayor ordered fires be set across the city. They raged for days so and were so intense that Napoleon was forced to leave the Kremlin due to the smoke. Upon returning he declared an intention to remain in the Kremlin for winter and ordered additional fortification of the Kremlin walls. However, the French army was weakening due to battle loss and poor supply.

Napoleon ordered his troops to retreat and blow up the Kremlin in the process. Mines were laid but their effectiveness was reduced by rain and prompt Muscovite response. Still, considerable damage was done, including to the Vodozvodnaya Tower, which was completely destroyed.

The Kremlin quickly underwent restoration under Tsar Alexander I and Nicolas I. Despite the war’s considerable drain on state funding, Tsar Alexander I prioritized restoring many parts of the Kremlin including towers, walls, palaces, and cathedrals. He often traveled to Moscow to observe the restoration progress. Many of Russia’s best architects were included in the restoration efforts. Order was progressively restored to the Kremlin and new gardens, now called the Alexander Gardens, were laid out along its exterior. Buildings like the Senate were brought back to their original appearance.

Restoration was completed under Nicholas I, who gave special attention to the restoration of ancient Kremlin churches and other old buildings. He also commissioned the construction of new buildings like the Great Kremlin Palace, after having the old one demolished. The entire imperial family attended the palace blessing during an official ceremony in April 1849. It was constructed and designed with techniques that were ahead of their time – vaulted construction for walls and ceilings, inlaid stone floors, and iron rafters.

Shortly after the revolution, the Communists restored Moscow as the official capital in 1918 when Moscow was reinstated as Russia’s capital. Construction and restoration were completed by the mid-19 th century. During the Soviet years, the Kremlin housed Soviet leaders and saw the development and then dissolution of the Soviet state. Today the Kremlin stands in Russia’s capital as a unique architectural ensemble.

The Kremlin Under the Soviets

The new Bolshevik government made sweeping changes to the historic Kremlin complex to, as they saw it, better represent the character of the new socialist state.

During the revolution of November 1917, the Kremlin was ransacked, leaving it with broken glass, destroyed icons, and parts of the complex in disrepair. Restoration of the walls and towers began in 1918, but further restoration stalled for lack of funding and because the communists had not yet decided on a plan for their changes to their seat of government.

The first targets were churches and royal symbols. Nuns and monks who had long lived in the Kremlin were removed. Churches had valuables removed and transferred to the new Commissariat of Finances to fund state projects. Many royal treasures and even crown jewels were similarly transferred. The double-headed eagles on the top of the buildings were promptly removed.

Many buildings were repurposed. Initially, many were converted to housing for Communist functionaries as the revolution and war had depleted Moscow’s housing stock while driving immigration from the countryside to the city. At one point, over two thousand people lived inside the Kremlin. By 1939, however, Kremlin residents consisted of only about three dozen high ranking officials.

Other notable repurposings included turning the Palace of Facets into a canteen with its kitchen inside the Tsarina’s Golden Chamber. The Ivan the Great Bell Tower was turned into a workshop, the Small Nicholas Palace became a worker’s club, and a gym was placed in the Church of St. Catherine. In 1932, the Andrew and Alexander Halls within the palace were gutted to make room for a party congress.

Many of the buildings and statues within the complex were destroyed, often to make way for new construction; only 26 of the original 54 buildings survived the Soviet period. The Chudov Monastery and Ascension Convent were both destroyed to make way for a military academy and eventually the Kremlin Presidium was built on the ground to house the Supreme Soviet, the supreme legislative body of the USSR.

In 1929, the Maly Nikolaevsky Palace, a former royal residence, was replaced by a new administrative building.

In the 1920s, the Russian royals buried in the Archangel Cathedral on the Kremlin’s Cathedral Square were exhumed and autopsied. They and the items in their sarcophagi were turned over to the Kremlin museum. Some valuable artifacts were requisitioned to the state treasury.

In 1935, five stars of rubied glass replaced the double-headed eagles that once topped the Kremlin gate towers.

Throughout WWII, the Kremlin was disguised under mock construction and painted roofs. Despite this, several bombs still fell on the Kremlin grounds, but did not cause major damage.

In 1947, Stalin painted the Kremlin walls red in an unmistakable ode to socialism, a drastic change from the traditional white that the walls had carried for centuries.

In 1955, the Kremlin opened to the public as an open air museum. In that same year, a ban on living in the Kremlin was introduced, lessening any security risk opening it to the public might create.

The last wave of demolitions came in 1958-1961, when the Palace of Congresses, built to house the congresses of Communist Party and cultural events, replaced the Old Amoury and part of the Patriarch’s Palace.

In part due to the outcry from this massive renovation, greater care of the Kremlin grounds began. The official Kremlin museum system was established in 1966, and Elena Gagarin, daughter of Yuri Gagarin, was hired as museum director. Today, that system includes the large armoury, several churches, and items outside of the Kremlin, such as St. Basil’s Cathedral.

The changes made during the Soviet period have left the Kremlin with a striking architectural contrast between traditional, tsarist-era architecture with Soviet-style buildings and the iconic, ancient red walls and remaining cathedrals. Despite the destruction and changes that were carried out, the compound still offers an unforgettable look into Russian and Soviet history that is impossible to get from anywhere else.

The Kremlin Stars

Translated by Caroline Barrow

The following was originally posted to the the Russian 7 website . It has been translated here by SRAS Home and Abroad Translation Scholar Caroline Barrow. Additional edits and updates were applied in 2021.

On October 24, 1935, two long-standing symbols of the Russian monarchy—the two-headed eagles which stood on top of the Kremlin towers, were ordered to be brought down and replaced with five-pointed stars.

Why a five-pointed star became the symbol of the Soviet regime is unknown, but what is known is that Lev Trotsky supported this symbol. Greatly fascinated by the esoteric, he knew that stars and pentagrams have a strong energetic potential and are one of the strongest symbols. The swastika could have easily become the symbol of the new government, since it had a strong following in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century. Swastikas were displayed on the currency of the temporary government led by Alexander Kerensky, and swastikas were painted on the walls of Empress Alexandra Fedrovna’s Ipatiev House before the royal family was executed there. This swastika trend was stopped almost solely by Trotsky and the Bolsheviks, who opted for the five-pointed star. The history of the twentieth century even showed that stars are stronger than swastikas… Stars shone over the Kremlin, in the place of two-headed eagle.

Erecting the thousand-kilogram stars on the Kremlin towers was not a simple thing to do. The problem was that the needed technology did not exist in 1935. The smallest of the Kremlin Towers, Borovitskaya, rose to 52 meters, and the tallest tower, Troitskaya, reached a height of 72 meters. Throughout the country, there were no tower cranes capable of reaching these heights. However, for Russian engineers, the word “no” did not exist, only the phrase “we must.” Engineers designed and built special cranes that could be installed on the upper deck for each tower. A metal base, called the console, was mounted at the base of each turret window, and on each console the engineers mounted a lifting crane. Thus, the process occurred in several stages: first the two-headed eagles were dismantled, and second, the stars erected.

Each star weighs about one ton. Given the height at which the stars would be placed and the fact that each star has a surface area of 6.3 square meters (potentially excellent for catching the wind), there was a danger that the stars might be blown away along with the top of the towers. So, it was decided to stress test the towers and, it turns out, with good reason: the upper part of each tower and its console was completely destroyed in the process. So, builders reinforced the masonry at the upper levels of the towers, and for the Spasskaya, Troitskaya, and Borovitskaya Tower, metal bracing was added to the base of the tower. The console on Nikolskaya Tower was so damaged that it had to be completely rebuilt.

All the stars were not made identical; four stars differ from one another in their artistic forms. On the Spasskaya Tower star, rays go out from the center. However, on Troitskaya Tower’s star, the rays look like spikes. The star on Borovitskaya Tower is made up of two contours, one inscribed in the other, and, finally, the rays on Nikolskaya Tower’s star have no pattern. In terms of length, the Spasskaya and Nikolskaya Towers were similar, with the distance between the ends of the rays being about 4.5 meters. On Troitskaya and Borovitskaya Towers, the star rays were shorter, and the distance between the ends of the rays was less, measuring 4 and 3.4 meters, respectively.

A star is good, but a spinning star is twice as nice. Moscow is large, its people many, and all must see the Kremlin stars. For the base of each star, special bearings were produced by the First Bearing Plant. These special bearings allow the stars to rotate with the wind even despite their significant weight. Consequently, it is possible to know the direction of the wind given the position of the stars.

Installation of the Kremlin Stars was a true celebration for Muscovites. The stars were not carried under the cover of night to Red Square. The day before the stars were placed on the towers they were put on display in Gorky Park. District and City Secretaries of the Communist Party came together with the ordinary mortals below to see the stars. The stars were lit from the outside to make the Ural stones shine and the rays sparkle. The eagles, taken off the towers, were also displayed to visually demonstrate the dilapidation of the “old” world and the beauty of the “new” world.

The Kremlin stars were not always ruby glass. The first stars, installed in October, 1935, were made from high-alloy stainless steel and red copper. In the center of each star, on both sides, the stars were embedded with precious stones outlining the hammer and sickle emblem. Over the course of a year, the glitter of the gems dimmed. The stars were also found to be too big, not fitting well with the architectural ensemble. In May, 1937, it was decided to install new, illuminated glass ruby stars. Also, they added a star to a fifth tower, the Vodovzvodnaya Tower. The ruby glass was produced at a factory in the city of Konstantinov, according to the method of the Moscovite glassmaker, N. I. Kurochkina. It was necessary to prepare 500 square meters of ruby glass, and for that, a new type was invented—selenium ruby glass. Before that, gold was used to color the glass; selenium was cheaper and produced a deeper color.

The Kremlin stars don’t only rotate, they also light up. In order not to overheat and cause damage, about 600 cubic meters of air is blown through the stars per hour. The stars are not affected by power outages, because they have their own, independent generators.

For the original lighting, the Moscow Electrical Lamp Plant produced the lights for the stars. The stars on Spasskaya, Troitskaya, and Nikolskaya Towers all had 5000-watt bulbs, and the other two operated at 3700 watts. In each star, two parallel filaments were installed. That way, if one burned out, the other filament still shone and a control panel is was notified of the burnout.

To change a bulb, one need not need to climb up to the star. Rather, the bulb comes down on a special rod that runs straight through the bearing. The whole process takes 30-35 minutes. In the stars’ history, the stars stopped shining only twice—once during the war, and another time for the filming of the now-classic movie The Barber of Siberia .

Editorial Note: Update 2021. Starting in 2015, the lighting of the Kremlin stars was updated with one star’s lighting system replaced each year. The old incandescent lamps were replaced with modern metal halide lamps. These lamps are approximately four times more energy efficient than the old bulbs and provide a more intense, higher-quality light. Metal halide lamps are often used for sports stadiums and other places where strong, high-quality light is needed.

In preparation for this switch, Employees of the Central Scientific and Restoration Design Workshops (TsNRPM) measured the illumination of each arm of each star separately to make sure that each would still be lit evenly and brightly. They also created models of the stars lit with various methods including LED matrices and optical fiber. In the end, metal halide was determined to be the closest in historical appearance to the existing incandescent lamps.

Within this update, each star was also given its first compressive maintenance since 1946. Damaged panes were replaced, the stars were cleaned inside and out, and the lubricants within the rotation system were replaced with modern fluids.

The State Kremlin Palace

By Benjamin Bradley Mulick

Finished in 1961 after three years of work, the Palace of Congresses, later renamed as the State Kremlin Palace (not to be confused with the Grand Kremlin Palace), opened its doors for the first time for the 22nd Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, welcoming thousands of party delegates as well as communist leaders from around the world. Today, it is still the Kremlin’s newest building and a multipurpose facility, housing large conventions, cultural displays from around the world and even its own ballet troupe. With these functions giving it continued purpose, the Kremlin’s most modern and out of place building is also one of its most significant.

The Kremlin State Palace stands out from the gilded, pastel buildings around it with its hulking angular lines, and large windows divided by tall marble columns. It’s crowned by a glass banquet hall, which was the brainchild of Khrushchev himself.

It features three main halls: The Great Hall, the Small Hall, and the Diplomatic Hall. The Great Hall is the largest, featuring the palace’s main stage and hosting its most important events. With a seating capacity of six thousand, it is where party congresses were held, and where some of Russia’s most prominent cultural programs take place today. The Small Hall hosts smaller musical performances, and by virtue of having removable seating, also hosts dance events, such as the World Cup of Latin American Dance, as held in June of 2021. The Diplomatic Hall provides a smaller and more intimate setting in which to enjoy performances. Last but not least, the Diplomatic Hall often hosts lesser-known artists, often performing genres that do best in closer settings, such as jazz and folk.

The facility also holds many smaller meeting rooms, intended as breakout rooms for conventions, but also used for various purposes today.

The construction of the State Kremlin Palace came with considerable controversy. Not only is it stylistically wildly inconsistent with the rest of the Kremlin’s buildings, one of Russia’s most oldest and most important historical ensembles, but it also resulted in the destruction of several older buildings to make ways for the Palace’s massive presence.

The demolished buildings included the Old Kremlin Armory Building, originally built in 1851 to house the Kremlin’s ceremonial guard and a collection of state documents and treasure. The northern wing of the Patriarchal Chambers was torn down, formerly part of the private quarters of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Because these were officially designated historic buildings, the legality of razing them was questionable and likely would not have taken place had not the decision been made from the office of Khrushchev himself.

Perhaps the real loss, however, came from underground. The original plans for the palace, before the Second World War, envisioned it as truly massive facility built where Christ the Savior Cathedral now stands. In the Khrushchev era, it was planned to build a smaller but still very large building near MGU, along the river, in what were then the still-developing outskirts of the city. When Khrushchev decided to place it inside the Kremlin, its footprint was again shrunk and it faced restrictions on its height so that the view of the Dormition Cathedral would not be entirely lost.

To make up for this, the bottom part of the building was sunk sixteen meters into the valuable archeological depths of the Kremlin’s soil. The buildings torn down to make room for the Palace were themselves built over much older foundations.

Archeologists were given a short window to explore the former Palace of Natalya Narishkina, the mother of Tsar Peter I, as well the former sites of churches, royal kitchens, workshops, and studios in what was once an economic center based within the historic Kremlin.

Teams of archaeologists were assigned to the area, who, in addition to expected finds, also found a number of secret tunnels. Unfortunately, while the archaeologists did their best to learn and preserve what they could, the limited timeframe allowed by the construction of the State Kremlin Palace meant that the archaeological potential of the site was, in large part, wasted. The tunnels were filled in, the old foundations built over, and the ruins lost to history.

Today, the Palace is perhaps best known as the home of The Kremlin Ballet, which was specifically formed in 1990 under esteemed Russian artist and choreographer Andrey Petrov with the purpose of performing there after the Bolshoi Ballet stopped performing at the palace and returned to the Bolshoi, then under renovations.

While the Kremlin Ballet was created with a strong basis in the classics, they have made more recent contributions to the ballet world with a number of their own classically-inspired modern works, including a ballet adaptation of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Tom Sawyer .

The State Kremlin Palace also hosts the Moscow Classical Ballet, which has been dancing in Moscow since 1966. Demonstrations of this tradition in the upcoming year will include the Moscow Classical Ballet’s dancing reinvention of Romeo and Juliet (which was considered scandalous when it was first performed in 1972), and a performance of Swan Lake , one of Russia’s most important contributions to dance, as performed by the Kremlin Ballet.

Built to hold important political events, the State Kremlin Palace is more a cultural building than a political one. The stage’s relatively short history promises to be subsumed by its promising future. Whatever the next big musical or cultural phenomenon in Russia is, the State Kremlin Palace will be a part of it.

• Read a review of The Snow Maidan as performed at the State Kremlin Palace on this site.

A Tour of the Moscow Kremlin Today

Tour as reviewed by Helen McHenry, 2019

As part of our SRAS cultural program, we were given the opportunity to take a tour of the Kremlin, a historic complex and symbol of the Russian government. We met our guide outside of Red Square before walking along the Kremlin walls to the visitors’ entrance. She pointed out the swallowtail merlons bordering the wall, a design popular in 15th century Italian-style architecture, before we mounted the battlement. To travel behind the Kremlin walls, we crossed a bridge that used to span the Neglinnaya River but today acts as an archway covering part of the footpath.

Inside the Kremlin is an intriguing mix of old and new – from the 15th century walls to the 20th century block of modernism known as the State Kremlin Palace. Our guide informed us of the controversy over the palace’s design, which stands in such contrast to the more traditional styles surrounding it. The building, built under Khrushchev’s leadership primarily as a government meeting hall, has almost as many floors underground as it does above ground. Although many cried out against the building when it was built, it still stands today, where it is now used mainly to host concerts.

A brief walk along a path lined with cannons from the state artillery collection brought us to what appeared to be the mother of all cannons. Indeed, the Tsar Cannon is the largest bombard by caliber ever manufactured and has never been used due to its vast size. Just around the corner lay a similarly large but unused item – the Tsar Bell. Commissioned during the time of Empress Anna, niece of Peter the Great, an almost life-size image of her adorns the bell’s surface.

We then traveled to Cathedral Square, which, as its name suggests, features a number of beautiful cathedrals. The overcast day did nothing to accentuate the gold domes that capped their many towers, but no amount of gloom could dim their impressive stature – so immense that photographing them from my vantage point proved a challenge. Each cathedral was adorned with more stunning iconography than the last, overwhelming to the point of monotony as we shuffled through the throngs of tourists.

Our next visit was to the State Armoury, a neoclassical building resplendent with the wealth of the tsars. We traipsed through room after room of riches, from icons, dishware, and diplomatic gifts to clothing, carriages, and thrones. What stood out to me the most was the two distinct – and sometimes warring – natures of Russian identity on display at the Armoury, East and West. The contrast was particularly obvious amongst the collections of clothing, weaponry, and thrones. The older pieces hearkened back to the time before the Western pivot of Peter the Great. While these remained just as ornately decorated as their modern counterparts, they were, on the whole, a lot less outlandish than those done in the styles of the West.

The Armoury marked our last stop within the Kremlin, so we traveled across the city center to the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Although the cathedral is the world’s largest Orthodox church, the current building is not the original. Christ the Saviour was demolished under the reign of Stalin and was only rebuilt in the late 1990s. Since then, the cathedral has gained fame as the site of Pussy Riot’s 2012 performance, which landed three members in jail for “hooliganism.”

Our guide let us explore the church on our own, as the church requires groups to be led by its own guides. Looking forward to lunch, we opted for a quick pass through the cathedral. Had I not been so hungry, I could have spent hours inside, as every surface held intricately-painted religious imagery intermixed with adornments heavily gilded with gold. Photographs were not allowed within the cathedral, reserving this spectacle to be seen first-hand.

The Kremlin in its entirety is a spot I recommend to all visiting Moscow, as four hours within its walls was not enough for our group to even scratch the surface of the wonders within.

Tour as Reviewed by Joseph Ozment, 2016

As part of SRAS’s Russian as a Second Language (RSL) program at Moscow State University, I had the opportunity to attend a guided walking tour of the Kremlin and its museums. We had a professional tour guide provided by SRAS who was very well informed about all aspects of the Kremlin’s sites and always willing to answer questions.

The tour, as offered by SRAS each session, can differ slightly based on availability and timing. We began our day’s tour not at the Kremlin, but at the nearby Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Russia’s largest Orthodox cathedral and one of the largest Christian structures in the world. Note that there are wardrobe requirements for entering the church (men and women both must have their shoulders covered, while men cannot wear shorts and women must wear skirts at least beneath the knee).

Before going inside, we were taken around the massive structure, and given a brief yet informative overview of its history. We learned that, despite the classical style of the building, it is actually only about 20 years old, having been constructed to resemble the church that once stood on the same ground.

During Communist times, the ground on which the Church now stands was a massive swimming pool, having been filled with water after the original Church was destroyed. The plans that the Communists originally had for the site were to construct the headquarters of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, which would be one of the tallest structures in the world and house the office of the Soviet Union’s premier inside the head of a giant Vladimir Lenin statue adorning the top.

The Cathedral is a truly stunning structure. Comparable only to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in my mind, the sheer amount of open air is amazing when one considers how still and tranquil it is on the inside.

We then continued onwards to the Kremlin itself, which was teeming with guided tours from all over the world, just like ours. Seeing other groups from America, but also some from France, Italy, China, and several other European and Asian countries was very interesting, as people tend not to think of Russia as a popular tourist destination. However, tourism here has grown rapidly in recent years, particularly since the ruble lost about half its value on world markets, making Russia a much more affordable location.

Anna informed us of the purposes of all of the first structures we encountered within the Kremlin walls. First of all, though, she made sure that we were aware that the word “Kremlin” does not refer just the center of government in Moscow, but is a general word that means fortress. Most Russian cities and towns of reasonable size and with a medieval history possess a Kremlin.

We saw one of the offices in which President Putin occasionally works, as well as the large, semi-controversial event and concert hall that resides just inside the main entrance to the Kremlin. Despite its modern style that clashes somewhat with the comparatively ancient structures around it, the fact that the building is covered in glass at least ensures that it reflects the beauty and history that abounds within the Kremlin.

After seeing the aptly named Tsar Cannon and Tsar Bell, both of which are two of the largest objects of their kind in the world, and neither of which have been used for their structural purpose in their existence, we moved on to see several of the many churches that stand within the walls of the Kremlin.

Inside the Church of the Annunciation, we were informed of some of the basic components of any Russian Orthodox Church. For starters, every inch of wall is covered in some image or another, from icons of Saints to giant murals that depict judgment day and the people of earth being sent either to heaven or hell. We also learned that the altar in an Orthodox church is given its own room, to which only the priests are allowed entry. The mysticism that is native to Orthodoxy and inherent to its liturgy was embodied in all aspects of these churches.

After our tour of the Kremlin’s outside squares, we were taken on a tour of the Armory Museum, which houses outfits, household items, carriages, armor, weapons, and various sundry items that belonged to the Tsars and Tsarinas of Russia. Anna knowledgeably led us through the various styles worn by different Russian rulers, and explained the significance(s) behind the appearance of what they wore and the carriages in which they rode.

We were in awe of the beautiful jewels that encrusted everything the royals wore and every vessel out of which they drank or off of which they ate, not to mention of the thrones on which they sat. We saw gifts from foreign dignitaries and rulers, and even the museum’s collection of Faberge creations.

All in all, it was a day rich with history and made even more enjoyable by our friendly and incredibly knowledgeable tour guide, Anna. There is hardly a more essential Russian experience to have during your time in Moscow than a guided tour of the Kremlin.

Incidentally, Anna, a guide that SRAS has worked with for years, helps run a guiding collective in Moscow called Bridge to Moscow . They run many private tours and are available for custom tours and travel as well.

Latest Updates

By Josh Wilson

In addition to the changes to how the Kremlin stars are lit and renovations to the Kremlin bells in Spasskaya Tower , for instance, several recent events are of interest.

In the mid-2000s, the Russian Orthodox Church lobbied for the restoration of the Chudov Monetary and the Ascension Convent within the Kremlin walls. The idea was seriously considered and even discussed on television by President Vladimir Putin, although only in the sense of rebuilding them as cultural monuments and part of the museum complex, rather than as working religious institutions. In the end, however, the Kremlin Presidium was simply torn down in 2016 and the area left mostly open with fragments of the old foundations left under glass for viewing. The result is a Kremlin even more dominated by open space and gardens.

Wind has damaged the Kremlin walls on a few occasions. In June 1998, several of the iconic sparrow tail structures on the wall were damaged by strong winds. In April 2018, strong wind damaged the Senate Palace roof. In October 2021, scaffolding being used to restore a section of the inner wall was blown over the top of the wall, also damaging several of the iconic sparrow tail structures. In all cases, the damage was quickly repaired.

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About the authors

Serena Keenan

At the time she wrote for this site, Serena Keenan was a rising junior at Smith College in Northampton, MA. She was majoring in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies with a minor in Government and a concentration in Translation Studies. She hoped to study abroad in Moscow during the spring 2022 semester. After college, she hoped to go on to work in nuclear nonproliferation. In her free time, she likes to read and crochet.

Program attended: Online Interships

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Caroline Barrow

Caroline Barrow is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in International Studies and Russian. She loves traveling and hearing people’s stories. Out of the places she’s been able to visit, her favorite was Kiev, Ukraine for its beauty, history, and friendly people. She received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship and, at the time she wrote for this site, was spending year teaching English in Kostanay, Kazakhstan. Additionally, she was been named SRAS’s Home and Abroad Translation Scholar for the 2013-2014 cycle. Her contributions included mostly translations of articles and blog posts that will be of interest to students.

Program attended: Home and Abroad Scholar

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Lee Sullivan

Lee Sullivan is an undergraduate student at Stetson University. She is currently pursuing a BS in cybersecurity and a BA in Russian, East European, and Eurasian studies. Next semester Lee will be in Vladivostok, Russia – studying the Russian language and participating in the Home and Abroad internship with SRAS. She aspires to pursue a master’s degree upon graduating.

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Benjamin Mulick

Ben Mulick, at the time he wrote for this site, was a fourth year Global Studies major at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

View all posts by: Benjamin Mulick

Jack Fischer

Jack Fischer, at the time he wrote for this site, was majoring in Physics with Russian and Economics minors at Iowa State University of Science and Technology in Ames, Iowa. He is studied Russian as a Second Language with SRAS over the summer of 2016 to improve his command of the Russian language. In the future, he’d like to work for himself and run a business, preferably abroad.

Program attended: Challenge Grants

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Joseph Ozment

Joseph Ozment is a fourth-year International Studies and Russian Studies major at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. He is minoring in music minor and has spent a lot of free time on music projects. He is studying Russian as a Second Language and also working an internship with The Moscow Times. He hopes to increase his Russian skills and cultural awareness so as to use his knowledge of the country and language in a professional setting in the future.

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Helen McHenry

Helen McHenry, at the time she wrote for this site, was a double major in international relations and Russian at the Ohio State University, with minors in Spanish and public policy. She studied with Russian as a Second Language with SRAS at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow in order to advance her proficiency in Russian and appreciation for Russian culture. She hoped to use the knowledge gained during her time abroad to advocate for foreign policy that strengthens relations between East and West in her future career.

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Julia Brock

Julie Brock, at the time she wrote for this site, had returned to University of Kentucky to pursue a Global Studies Certificate, with an emphasis on Russia and the travel industry. She earned prior BA and MA degrees in psychology. A few years ago, she traveled to Russia, Estonia, and Finland, and loves the culture and history of these areas. She works at the campus library, and enjoys reading, running 5Ks, and spending time with her dogs. She lived for five years in Minnesota and loved the snow, winter sports, and Museum of Russian Art.

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Hudson Dobbs

Hudson received his BA in Russian Studies with a minor in Corporate Communications from Baylor University. At the time he wrote for this site, he was serving as a Home and Abroad Scholar as part of a Spring, 2022 session of SRAS’s Language and Society program St. Petersburg. While abroad, Hudson will be researching the Russian coffee culture, as well as the evolution of specialty coffee in Russia. His goal is to open his own coffee shop in the US - taking his experiences abroad and applying them to his future business.

View all posts by: Hudson Dobbs