It takes place on the territory of Kolomenskoye, a former tsar's estate, now a state-owned historical, architectural and nature reserve museum, located 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) south-east of the city center.

[1] Since its start in 2004, the Afisha Picnic has followed the concept that mixes professional music festival featuring performances of international artists and local independent musicians, and urban-style event with all sorts of entertainment, such as designers’ market, gastronomic area, games and crafts, sports and amusements, lectures and workshops,[2] and, on one occasion, even a dance floor on the rollerdrome.

Some headliners that performed at the Afisha Picnic are Courtney Love and Hole, Madness, Amanda Palmer, Kaiser Chiefs, Jamiroquai, The Future Sound of London, Marina and the Diamonds, MGMT, M83, Calla, Sons and Daughters, Buck 65, Beirut, Dengue Fever, Clinic, Múm, Dälek, Junior Boys, Martina Topley-Bird, DeVotchKa, Black Lips, The Teenagers, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, HushPuppies and These New Puritans.

Other stages showcase cutting edge indie and electronic performances, and feature a wide spectrum of genres from synth-pop, electro and disco to hip-hop and experimental electronica.

Among headliners who have appeared on the other Afisha Picnic stages are Peaches, Tennis, Rainbow Arabia, Lo-Fi-Fnk, Shy Child, The Wombats, New Young Pony Club, Late of the Pier, Chromatics, Glass Candy, Minitel Rose, Fan Death and Telepathe.

Headliners: Sons and Daughters (UK), M83 (France), Žagar (Hungary), Magyar Posse (Finland), Markscheider Kunst (Russia), Esthetic Education (Ukraine), Netslov (Russia) Special Memories: the theatre stage hosted experimental drama, contemporary dance and poetry readings, street orchestras performed on the park alleys, open cinema with FutureShorts and Soviet cartoons, the Thai massage bar, the hair design saloon, telescopes, masterclasses on graffiti, the Race Ground for karting and radio-controlled cars.

[7] Headliners: Madness (UK), Amanda Palmer (US), These New Puritans (UK), Kasta (RUS), Fan Death (US), Telepathe (US), Minitel Rose (France) Special Memories: the first lomography exhibition in Russia organized by the Lomographic Society International,[8] two lecture halls by the British Council and the edutainment web-site Theory and Practice, Charity Village that raised funds for various charity organizations with a special program of WWF eco-shorts, Kite festival, the largest twister in the history of Russia, wakeboarding and kicker tournaments, Paharganj Indian market with yoga classes, Bollywood films, etc.

Special Memories: Topman Big Gig stage, DMT Stage inspired by the project 'Delay Menya Tocho' - afisha.ru paying tribute to Mumiy Troll, Nestea Swimming Pool, extended Market area hosting more than a hundred shops and labels, Alfa Paradiso Beach - an island with Brazilian dancers and colonial-style cafe, Kids town 'V Lesu', best mono-performances by Praktika Theatre, The Pavilion "Olympic Britain" by British Council, Barbecue quarter, comprehensive talks from Polytechnical Museum Archived 2021-03-05 at the Wayback Machine covering a wide range of topics, Kenzo Wild House.

Headliners: Pet Shop Boys, Franz Ferdinand, Mika, Little Boots, Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, Fuck Buttons, Theophilus London, The Drums.

Headliners: Jamiroquai, Suede, MGMT, Glintshake, Sohn, Astronautalis Other performing musicians: The Soul Surfers, On-The-Go, SBPCh, Therr Maitz, Myron & E, Kasta, Talib Kweli, Mulatu Astatke 2015 July 25, 2015 in Kolomenskoye.

Hedliners: Земфира, Hot Chip, Ivan Dorn, The Horrors, SBPCh, Nike Borzov, Kiesza Summer Stage by Skoda The Gaslamp Killer, Mujuice [ru], Scriptonite, Oddisee & Good Company, МОТ, BMB SpaceKid feat.