Moscow in September: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

Thinking of visiting Moscow in September? While you will miss the more mild summer weather, Moscow weather in September is still fairly warm...by Russian standards. Temperatures will begin to drop as autumn arrives and the famously cold Russian winters are still many weeks away.

Moscow Weather in September

With an average temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius), the weather can change very quickly in Russia, but you can expect the temperature to remain in this range during at least the beginning of the month. It won't get much warmer with the city boasting an average high temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius), but it won't be too cold either with an average low temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit (8 degrees Celsius). However, Moscow can be a bit dreary, receiving approximately 15 days of rain every September and experiencing only five hours of daylight. There is even a chance you might catch the first snow of the year in September, but it will likely only be a light flurry.

What to Pack

Though warm air lingers in September, autumn temperatures call for jackets or sweaters, especially in the mornings and evenings. If you plan to be out and about all day, be sure to take a cover-up in the case of wind or rain, and you may want to pack a hat, scarf, and gloves, particularly if you're used to a warmer climate. If it's raining, you'll want to make sure you have enough layers to keep you warm and dry.

September Events in Moscow

You won't find as many events happening in Moscow as in the summer, there are still plenty of fairs and festivals to experience in September, for athletes art enthusiasts, and fans of high fashion.

In 2020, many of these events may be canceled so check the organizer's websites for the latest details.

• Cosmoscow: Russia's only international contemporary art fair, takes place within Moscow's Gostiny Dvor. This event prides itself on featuring galleries less than five years old, as well as emerging artists. The festival selects one creator as the artist of the year, who has the chance to present a large-scale installation for the fair to exhibit. The 2020 festival is scheduled for September 10–13.
• Promsvyazbank Moscow Marathon: This yearly event offers runners a one of a kind tour of the capital city. Throughout the race, runners can view more than 30 world-famous attractions, including the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow City, and four of the Seven Sisters skyscrapers. If you are up for the challenge, run this event on September 20, 2020, for a one-of-a-kind tour of Moscow.

September Travel Tips

• September is a lovely month to travel to Eastern Europe. Crowds for important and usually tourist-heavy sights thin and the autumn temperatures make exploring historic landmarks on foot pleasant. 
• Enjoy the autumnal air and changing leaves in one of Moscow's parks, while taking in the view on Sparrow Hills, or exploring one of the city's outdoor sights, such as Novodevichy Convent or Old Arbat Street.
• If you get an unexpectedly cold or wet day, take advantage of the wide variety of indoor Moscow attractions on offer. From shopping at the storied GUM department store to ballet performances at the legendary Bolshoi Theater, Moscow is much more than walks through Red Square.
• By traveling to Moscow at a less crowded time, there will plenty of great deals to take advantage of. From hotel deals to airfare specials and more, September is not only beautiful but budget-friendly.