Kizhi Regatta is the first festival of folk shipbuilding and navigation in Russia, one of the most beautiful events on the protected island of Kizhi, annually gathering over 40 boats and hundreds of people — participants and spectators. In 2018, the festival was among the top 10 best tourism projects in Russia. The event was awarded the Prize of the Government of the Russian Federation in the field of tourism. Starting more than 20 years ago as an intimate village race of like-minded people, the Kizhi Regatta has turned into a vibrant festival attracting participants from all over Russia and neighboring Finland. The first day of the festival includes the «Folk Boat» competition of shipbuilding masters, during which guests of the island admire new traditional and modern small vessels built by hand by its participants. In addition, since 2018, the Big Race has been held around the island on this day — a competition with a distance of over 12 km. The focus of the second day of the festival is the festive races «Kizhi Regatta». The distance of the main competition of the festival is short — 1.7 km, but on this day the races are held in stages, according to various nominations (traditional, modern, team, small boats, etc.), so guests of Kizhi Island have the opportunity to see several dynamic competitions within a couple of hours. Traditionally, the action takes place to the ringing of Kizhi bells.
The results of the competition and the solemn award ceremony for the winners take place on the same day, and while the judging commission is working, a festive thematic program «For People — a Holiday, for Boats — Honor!» is held for guests: live performances, exhibitions, master classes, treats of «Kizhi fish soup» and «Kizhi tea».
The «Kizhi Regatta» festival has no age restrictions. Admission to the event is free (a museum entrance ticket is paid), on some sites paid master classes and paid catering services are offered, provided by partners.