Ondvor brings together two distinct travel interests: views of Lake Ilmen and a specific jazz event on its shore. The festival offers a cultural reference tied to a particular date; the beach description draws attention to the lakeside landscape and a recreation area.
The Jazz Festival on Lake Ilmen
The “Dzhaz Ondvor” music festival took place on the beach on the shore of Lake Ilmen in the village of Ondvor from July 14 to 16, 2023. Music in various styles was performed there. The festival was part of the “Novgorodskoye leto” project and was held on the beach for the second time. More than 3,500 spectators attended the event.
The program included the Oleg Lundstrem Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Boris Frumkin, as well as ensembles from Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Tikhvin, and Yaroslavl. The 2023 festival edition is a historical point of interest for culture enthusiasts, not an upcoming event date.
Beach and Recreation Area
A description from 2024 highlights the sandy shore of Ondvor Beach and the convenient access to the water. A recreation area opened on the sandy shore in 2022. This lakeside setting is a separate focus from the festival history: it draws attention to the landscape and spending time by the water.
A 2024 report lists a volleyball court, a sports ground, and a children's playground in the recreation area. Thus, in addition to describing the shore, it also identifies specific sports and play facilities. If you plan to use any of these facilities, check their current condition before your visit.
When choosing a destination, you can weigh these two different perspectives on Ondvor: a clearly dated music event and a beach area with a described shoreline and named facilities. Those mainly interested in the festival can find details in the July 2023 edition; those prioritizing the lakeside landscape can use the beach description as a guide and check the facilities in advance to confirm what to expect.
Other Highlights of Novgorod Oblast
In the wider destination of Novgorod Oblast, Valdai National Park covers 159,100 hectares and stretches across the Valdaysky, Demyansky, and Okulovsky districts. Mount Ryzhokha is the park’s highest point. A 25-meter-high observation tower stands on it, offering views of the taiga, Lake Velyo, and other bodies of water.
In Novgorod Oblast, the trail in the Bor area passes through typical taiga forests over hilly terrain and through varied marshes in the hollows between the hills.
One cultural highlight of Novgorod Oblast is in Valday. The Bell Museum Center displays bells from around the world and examples spanning from the 3rd century BC through the Middle Ages to modern souvenir bells. Staff demonstrate bell-ringing techniques that visitors can try themselves.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Staraya Russa, Valday, Trubichino, Selishche, Borovichi, Usadye, Anukhino and Veliky Novgorod.
Go to the main travel overview: Novgorod Oblast.
