Since 1973 the city has hosted the international festival of classical art "White nights". In 1992 under a similar name in the city suddenly began to hold the festival of popular music. As a new festival and immediately received the support of the city authorities, the older the festival was forced to change his, which are already known in the art world, the name on the new — since 1993 it is called "stars of the white nights".
The founder and producer of the pop music festival is Vladimir Kiselev. In 1992, the international Federation of festival organizations FIDOF registered the international music festival "White nights of St. Petersburg", in the summer of that year in St. Petersburg hosted the first festival. Until 1996 the Chairman of its organizing Committee was the mayor of the city Anatoly Sobchak.
The festival was held in 1993, 1994 and 1995, the Board of Directors was held two gala concerts in 2003 in celebration of the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg in 2006 during the summit "Big eight". Since 2011, the festival involves not only young artists but also established artists, stars of show business.
Honorary guests of the international music Festival "White Nights of St. Petersburg" at various times were representatives of the Royal houses of Holland, Monaco, England, the Minister of culture of France, mayors of sister cities of St. Petersburg, the Ministers of culture of Russia, representatives of the world media "Billboard", "HollywoodReporter", "Music&Media", "MTV". The jury was headed by the stars of show business, famous music managers — mark Zakharov, Iosif Kobzon, Rolan Bykov, Paula Abdul, Yuri Aksyuta, Sarah Connor, etc.
Over the years the festival was visited by world stars: Joe Cocker, A -, Boney M, Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias, Scorpions, Mika, Eros Ramazzotti, Natalie Imbruglia, Paula Abdul, Anastasia and other famous performers. Also was guest stars: Kevin Costner, Thomas Anders, Woody Allen, The Doors, Akon,In-Grid, George Clinton, Village People, Leonid Agutin, Elena Vaenga, Grigory Leps, "A'studio", "Earthlings" and other