Arts & Entertainment in Italy
Milan

Festivals and Events

• Naviglio Grande Antiques Fair

  One of Milan’s largest antique fairs takes place in the canal district. 

    January 28 (and the last Sunday of every month except July). http://www.milanostyle.com/010/ilnavigliogrande

• Vinilmania

  A huge record fair that attracts collectors and vinyl-buffs from around the world. At the Parco Esposizioni Novegro.

    February 4 and 5 http://www.vinilmaniaitalia.com

• Fashion week

  The leading designers display their autumn and winter collections. Entry to shows is by invitation only, but there are other events going on around the city.

    Early March

• Bagutta-Pittori all’Aria Aperta

  A big outdoor art exhibition in the Via Bagutta.

    Third week in April

• The Sea in Milan

  A series of aquatic activities held at Milan’s Aquario Civico.

    Around May 13-21 http://www.acquariocivico.mi.it

• Festa del Naviglio

  A festival in the illuminated Naviglio canals, featuring street artists and performers, sports, handicrafts, cooking and concerts.

    First Sunday in June

• Cornetto Music Festival

  A free event in the Piazza Duomo.

    Beginning of July

• Festival Latino Americano

  The spirit of Latin America hits Milan. A cultural extravaganza that creates a South American village.

    June 15- August 15

• Panoramica

  A selection of films from the Venice and Locarno festivals.

    Around September 12-19
• Fashion Week

  Fashion week

  The leading designers display their spring and summer collections. Entry to shows is by invitation only, but there are other events going on around the city.

    Early October
• Christmas in Milan

  Noel Noel

  A family-orientated Christmas fair with creatively decorated stands.

    November 18-26
   

• Oh Bej! Oh Bej!

  Milan’s patron saint is celebrated with many events around the streets of  Sant’Ambrogio. 

   

• For more information about Milan events and sights, go to

    http://www.travelplan.it/milan_guide

Theatre, Cinema and Opera

For culture, there’s really only one place in town – La Scala, or to give it its full title Teatro alla Scala.  This is one of the greatest opera houses in the world, with a sumptuous interior, wonderful acoustics and great performers.  Tickets are hard to come by and the best seats are nearly always taken, but try booking well in advance at www.teatroallascala.org/public/LaScala/EN/index. If you do manage to secure tickets, by all means dress for the occasion and, if you’re brave, show your appreciation by shouting bravo for tenors, brava for sopranos and bravi for the whole company. Many other classical concerts are held in churches across Milan.  The main venues include: San Marco for religious music, the Civica Scuola di Musica for more contemporary pieces, the Conservatorio Giuseppi Verdi, a former monastery where concerts by various orchestras are held almost daily, and the Musica e Poesia a San Maurizio for ancient and baroque music.  Milan has a lively theatre scene with numerous permanent theatres and independent groups.  For film buffs, there are more than 100 cinemas across Milan, with most of the big screens grouped around Corso Vittorio Emanuele II.  The majority of the films are dubbed into Italian – if you want to see a work in its original language, look for ‘VO’ (versione originale) in the programme.  There are also a few film festivals held through the year. 

For full details of what’s on where, consult the useful free bulletin Milano Mese, which can be picked up free at the tourist board office.

Museums and Galleries

Apart from the Castello Sforzesco,  the Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Palazzo Reale, mentioned above, there are many other museums and galleries to visit. The Palazzo Bagatti-Valsecchi is a grand palace and home to one of the finest museums in Europe.  There are important works of art, ceramics, glass and furniture.  The Palazzo Dugnani contains many wonderful features, including a magnificent staircase, a gallery for musicians, frescoes and also the Museum of the Cinema, charting the history of film from the 18th century.  The Duomo Museum houses many interesting objects from the city’s Duomo (cathedral) such as paintings, sculpture and an old wooden model of the building that was made in the early 1500s.  Among other museums in Milan are those dedicated to Natural History, Maritime Art, Civic Archaeology, Science and Technology and La Scala Opera House.