The Gostya (Welcome Stranger) Folklore group's visit was organised by Russian company Nutritek, which has invested in a dairy plant at Studholme, to share the Russian culture with the community.
The group performed at Lister Home in Waimate in the morning and Iona Home in the afternoon.
Renowned for its costumes, the group has a repertoire combining traditional folk songs, dance and games.
This afternoon, a community show will be held at the Regent Theatre in Waimate.
Tonight, they will entertain at a business function at the Waimate Stadium attended by about 100 businesspeople from Timaru, Oamaru and Waimate.
A chef has also been flown from Russia to cater for a gala dinner tomorrow night in Waimate for suppliers to New Zealand Dairies.
Students from Aoraki Polytechnic will also help cook and work as waiting staff and kitchen hands.
The aim was to involve the community as much as possible, one of the tour organisers, Sheryl Frew, said.
