Holiday on September 20, 2026 — Cherkasy Day: The city celebrates its 740th anniversary
On September 20, 2026, Cherkasy will celebrate City Day. According to the current Charter of the territorial community, the commemorative date is the third week of September, and this year the holiday falls on a Sunday. City Day is dedicated to the history of Cherkasy, its residents, its culture, and the community’s modern life.
Cherkasy City Day has a variable date. It used to be celebrated on the first Sunday in June, but the date was later changed. The current version of the Charter of the Cherkasy Territorial Community, approved by a City Council resolution on September 30, 2021, explicitly states that City Day falls during the third week of September. However, the document does not tie the holiday to a specific Saturday or Sunday. Therefore, specific celebratory events may take place throughout that week, while the main events usually occur on the weekend. In 2026, September 20 falls on a Sunday, so this date is designated as Cherkasy City Day.
Interestingly, the celebrations may last more than one day. In previous years, the city’s program has included concerts, exhibitions, sports activities, children’s events, fairs, and other activities. Some events may be rescheduled due to weather or held in different parts of the city. This was the case, for example, during the celebration of Cherkasy’s 735th anniversary in 2021, when part of the program was rescheduled to the following day due to rain.
How old will Cherkasy be in 2026?
The official date of Cherkasy’s founding is considered to be 1286. Accordingly, in 2026, the city will celebrate its 740th anniversary. The figure of 740 years is also being used during this year’s celebrations. The Cherkasy City Council has announced festive events to mark City Day and the 740th anniversary of Cherkasy.
At the same time, the history of Cherkasy has an interesting peculiarity. Researchers do not agree on exactly when the settlement, from which the city later developed, first emerged. The State Archives of the Cherkasy Region note that Cherkasy has been known since the 13th century, and 1286 is considered the official date of its founding. However, documents from the Cherkasy City Council also mention the possibility that the city existed earlier, as well as chronicle references to Cherkasy from the early 14th century. Therefore, the year 1286 should be viewed as the officially accepted date rather than as an indisputably established moment of the first settlement’s emergence.
History of Cherkasy
Cherkasy is located on the right bank of the Dnieper River, and its proximity to this great river has influenced the city’s development for many centuries. This advantageous location fostered trade and made Cherkasy an important settlement in the region. At the same time, the city often found itself in the path of military campaigns and raids, so its residents had to take measures to fortify it. According to the State Archives of the Cherkasy Region, a wooden castle was built here as early as the Middle Ages. In times of danger, a significant portion of the local population could take refuge within these fortifications.
Cherkasy gradually became one of the major centers of Cossack life. In the 15th century, people fleeing servitude and oppression settled in the city and its surroundings. This contributed to the formation of Cossack settlements and the strengthening of the local community. The people of Cherkasy played a prominent role in the events of the Cossack era and the national liberation war led by Bohdan Khmelnytsky. That is why Cossack history remains an important part of Cherkasy’s modern identity.
Cherkasy and Cossack History
Cherkasy is often referred to as a city with a Cossack character, and there are historical grounds for this. As early as the 16th century, the city was an important center for the defense of the southern lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The Cherkasy starost, Ostafi Dashkevych, proposed creating a system of fortifications to protect against attacks, and the local population took part in military campaigns. Later, Cherkasy became one of the prominent centers of the Cossack movement. The memory of this history remains part of the city’s identity today and is often reflected in cultural events and festive programs.
The Cossack past is evident not only in place names and monuments. It is present in local traditions, culture, songs, and the residents’ attitude toward their city’s history. During festive events in Cherkasy, Cossack-themed areas have been set up on multiple occasions, where visitors were treated to traditional dishes and themed performances were organized. For example, during the celebration of the city’s 735th anniversary in 2021, Cossack porridge was prepared for residents in “Sosnovyi Bir” Park.
How Cherkasy Celebrates City Day
In peacetime, City Day was one of the city’s biggest holidays. Concerts, festivals, exhibitions, sports competitions, children’s entertainment, workshops, and various fairs were organized for the residents of Cherkasy. One of the most popular venues was traditionally the Valley of Roses. Concerts, exhibitions, street food festivals, and other events for residents and visitors were held there.
The celebrations weren’t necessarily limited to a single venue. Events took place in parks, cultural institutions, on the city’s main streets, and at other urban locations. Special attention was given to children, for whom contests, sports activities, creative workshops, and entertainment programs were organized. For adults, concerts, exhibitions, and gatherings were organized. In this way, City Day became not just an official date, but several days of city-wide celebration.
In 2021, for example, during the celebration of Cherkasy’s 735th anniversary, the city even set a Ukrainian record. Students and teachers from a vocational school baked a cake over 23 meters long. It took about two days to prepare. That same year, a street food festival was held in the Valley of Roses, while children’s events and demonstrations of specialized equipment were organized in other parts of the city.
What events are taking place in Cherkasy in 2026
In 2026, the celebration will also include various city-wide events. On September 17, the Cherkasy City Council announced celebrations to mark City Day, during which defenders of Ukraine, volunteers, and representatives from the fields of education, medicine, culture, sports, and public services were honored. The event took place at the Cherkasy Regional Music and Drama Theater. It was attended by representatives of city and regional authorities, as well as a delegation from the German district of Steinfurt.
Some festive activities are also being held at private venues in the city. For example, on September 20, 2026, the Lubava shopping and entertainment center has planned an entertainment program for children and adults. The program includes face painting, a workshop on making souvenirs, performances by creative groups, a quiz about Cherkasy, a photo booth, and an exhibition of children’s drawings. Such events demonstrate that a modern City Day can be not only an official ceremony but also a casual family celebration.
City Day During the War
After the start of full-scale war, the format of city celebrations has changed. Large public gatherings require special attention to safety, so traditional concerts and large-scale festivities may be canceled or held in a different format. For example, in 2024, official City Day celebrations were not held due to martial law. At the same time, the date itself remains important to the community.
Under current circumstances, City Day often serves as an opportunity to thank those who defend Ukraine, assist the military, work in hospitals, schools, and public utilities, volunteer, and support the city. This same format was evident in the official events of 2026. During the celebrations in Cherkasy, defenders, volunteers, and representatives from various sectors of community life were honored.
A special tradition for children born on City Day
Cherkasy has another interesting tradition connected with babies born on City Day. The city’s social support program, “Turbota,” provides a one-time grant to families whose children were born on this day. In 2025, city officials announced that such families would receive a certificate worth 10,000 hryvnias to purchase children’s goods. On September 20 of that year, three children were born in Cherkasy—two boys and a girl.
This tradition adds a special family-oriented meaning to City Day. For parents, their child’s birthdate becomes forever linked not only to their personal history but also to the birthday of their hometown. In 2025, the mayor personally congratulated one of the families whose son was born on September 20. People wish these families good health for their children and prosperity, and the newborns themselves are called little residents of Cherkasy who came into the world on a day that holds special symbolic significance for the city.
Interesting Facts About Cherkasy
Cherkasy has several fascinating chapters in its history that are commemorated not only on City Day. One of them is the city’s connection to Taras Shevchenko. According to the State Archives of the Cherkasy Region, Shevchenko visited Cherkasy in 1845–1846, and in July 1859, after his arrest near Prokhorivka, he was taken to Cherkasy, where he remained under surveillance for several days.
Another important chapter in the city’s history is linked to its granting of Magdeburg rights. The regional State Archives notes that in 1791, Cherkasy received Magdeburg rights and a coat of arms, although there is a theory that certain rights of municipal self-government may have been granted even earlier. In the early 19th century, the renowned architect William Heste was responsible for the city’s urban planning. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Cherkasy was divided into several districts, including Seredina, Kazbet, Kryvalivka, Mytnytsia, and Sosnivka.
Cherkasy also holds special significance in the history of central Ukraine as a major cultural and industrial center. In 1954, the city became the administrative center of the newly formed Cherkasy Oblast. Since then, Cherkasy has gradually developed into the region’s administrative, industrial, educational, and cultural hub.
What City Day Means for Cherkasy
City Day is not just an occasion for concerts, fairs, and entertainment. For the community, it is an opportunity to reflect on how Cherkasy took shape, who lived here during different historical periods, and how the city has changed over time. The memory of the Cossack past, World War II, recent history, and the people who are defending Ukraine today remains particularly important. In their celebratory speeches, city officials often emphasize the residents’ contribution to the city’s development. In 2026, during the festivities, special recognition was given to those who work for the community and help Ukraine during the war.
That is why September 20 is not just a date on the calendar for Cherkasy. It is a day when the city reflects on its history, honors its residents, and thanks those who make it a better place. For some, it’s an occasion to attend a concert or an exhibition; for others, to take a stroll through their favorite spots; and for still others, simply to spend time with family. The main purpose of the celebration remains simple: to remember the city, its past, and the people who shape its present.
