May to September is the most pleasant time to visit. Summers are warm (25–35°C) and the embankment comes alive with riverside activity. Winters are harsh and cold (regularly below -10°C), with heavy snow from December to March; the city's war memorials are stark but atmospheric in winter. Victory Day on 9 May, with its major commemorations at Mamayev Kurgan, is a significant reason to visit in spring.