An open-air music festival in Moscow has been described as the biggest and best yet with 60,000 fans enjoying the party. Known as the Afisha Picnic, the 5th year of the event has helped it cement its place as one of the most successful events of its kind

Sunday’s one-day festival, which owes its name to a Russian lifestyle magazine, was held at the city’s Kolomenskoye Park, on the banks of the Moscow River.

The line up was an eclectic one, including the neo-disco group Chromatics, U.S. rockers Black Lips and the much-loved Russian band Leningrad.

The popularity of the event grows every year, with the 60,000 visitors easily surpassing last year’s total of 50,000.

Yury Saprykin, 'Afisha' magazine’s editor-in-chief, told RT: “The secret of the success of the 'Afisha' festival is that we did not try to earn money or to promote the brands which are interesting for us or to make some commercial enterprise. We just tried to have fun and share this fun with the people.”

Others notable acts included Los Locos del Barrio frontman Sergent Garcia and British vocalist Martina Topley-Bird, who shot to fame after featuring on trip hop guru Tricky's debut album.

She said: “I didn't know what to expect. I have never played here before, so I didn't know whether anyone knows my music or anything but they were cool. They really seemed to have a good time even with the weather… so it was nice!”

The crowd cheered and danced despite the brief spell of rain and they also found some comfort in food. As the festival name suggests, it is also a celebration of cuisine, with a rich selection of French, Spanish, Japanese and Russian food on offer. 

Unusually for an event of this kind, no alcohol was allowed, but it didn't stop people enjoying the picnic.

And with music for all tastes, games, sporting activities, modern art exhibitions and a vast variety of food, there is no shortag of spirit at the 'Afisha' Picnic.