Festivals and Events
1. Carnival
Carnevale in Milan is a combination of religious pomp, fancy-dress parade and Bacchanalian bash. Whereas carnivals elsewhere in the world – everywhere from Rio to Venice – end on Martedì Grasso (“Fat Tuesday”), Archbishop St Ambrose decreed that in Milan the party should go on until the following Saturday. No wonder they made him a saint.
Feb/Mar ends the first Sat of Lent • Info: 02 7740 4343
2. Fashion Week
Milan is invaded by models, buyers, journalists and photographers four times a year. In mid-January and late June they come for menswear collections, while late February and late September are for women's-wear. Taxis, hotel vacancies and restaurant tables get scarce, so visitors should plan ahead.
3. Palio di Legnano
Two years after the Lombard League trounced Barbarossa in 1176, the town of Legnano began celebrating the victory. Over 800 years later they’re still at it, putting on a display of pageantry that ends with a horse race between the town’s eight contrade (districts).Last Sun in May • Info: Ufficio Palio del Comune • Piazza S Magno 9 • 0331 471 297
4. Festa dei Navigli
Milan’s trendy Navigli canal district celebrates the start of summer on the first Sunday in June by bursting into a street fair with artisan stalls and live music.First Sun in Jun
5. Ferragosto
The Feast of the Assumption, held on 15 August, is when most Italians head to the beach or lakes for a two-week holiday, and life in the city slows down. Mantua has a celebration of street artists, but Milan virtually shuts down. Only the restaurants and bars of the Navigli stay open.15–31 Aug
6. Stresa Festival, Stresa
Lake Maggiore’s gateway to the Borromean Islands (for further details see Stresa) hosts five musical weeks of concerts in venues throughout town and up and down the lake shores.Late Aug–early Sep • Info: Via Carducci 38 • 0323 31 095 • www.stresafestival.eu
7. Grand Prix, Monza
The biggest Formula One race of the year takes place in mid-September. At other times, you can still watch macho men driving cars at mind-boggling speeds from April through to October.Grand Prix • 2nd weekend in Sep • Info: Via Vedano 5 • 039 24 821 • www.monzanet.it
8. Stringed Instruments Festivals, Cremona
The home of Amati and Stradivari celebrates luthiers and musicians in a series of festivals, concerts, exhibitions and international competitions (for further details see also A Violin Concert in Cremona).Late Sep–early Oct • Info: Fondazione Antonio Stradivari, Piazza S Omobono 3 • 0372 801 801 • www.museodelviolino.org
9. Milan Furniture Fair
Hotels are fully booked when the Salone Internazionale del Mobile, or Milan Furniture Fair, takes the stage in mid-April. Be sure to book early if you want to be present for the six days when the entire city comes alive with exhibitions and events related to the latest trends in furniture and interior design.
Mid-April • Info: Fieramilano Rho, Milan • 02 4997 1 • www.fieramilano.it
10. Opera Season
La Scala is the most important opera house in the world, and if you ever doubted opera was art, a night at its 18th-century home will help you transcend all doubt. The season opens on 7 December – the feast day of Milan’s patron saint, Ambrose – and is a momentous occasion in the Milanese social calendar.Info: 02 7200 3744 • tickets: 02 860 775 • www.teatroallascala.org
