“So we’ll have 80 days of freezing bleak darkness in winter but we get 80 days of 24/7 daytime partying in summer? … We’ll take it.”

It’s all or nothing with St. Petersburg. Being so far north (59 degrees), Mother Nature closes the curtains for most of winter so when the White Nights come in June the city loses its shit.

There’s something vaguely uncomfortable about walking around busy streets at 2am, the birds are chirping and the sky's stuck between a purply-grey dawn or dusk. People walk along the canals and nod to each other:

‘Weird that it’s still bright’

‘Sure is’

The highlight of this twilight zone freak of nature is the White Nights Festival. Fireworks light up the already bright sky and crowds dance across the bridges. It’s like Disneyland on crack.

Every night’s an excuse to go out. There’s the Scarlet Sails Festival which celebrates some romantic Russian fairytale. And you’ll find outdoor opera and ballet… at midnight.

For something closer to the candyfloss sky, head to the rooftops. Bars and clubs stay open til 6am, do a rooftop bar crawl or see a film at Contour Family Loft.

Or crash hidden courtyards parties. Taiga brings live music and DJs to its courtyard.

White Nights is basically an 80 night bender. If you’re not as hardcore as the Russians try a long weekend.