Milan’s Ambrosian Carnival 2026: Your Essential Guide to City-Wide Festivities
Milan is gearing up for a spectacular Ambrosian Carnival weekend in 2026, coinciding with the thrilling conclusion of the Olympic Games. With pleasant weather expected, thousands of Milanese residents, particularly families and children, are anticipated to don costumes and join in the city-wide celebrations this Saturday.
Daytime Festivities: Family Fun and Theatrical Performances
The carnival spirit ignites early, with a variety of events kicking off in the morning:
- “L’Arena di Cyrano” at Pusterla di Sant’Ambrogio: From 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Atelier Teatro presents a theatrical competition dedicated to Eugenio Allegri. This event is part of the “Il mercato dei saltimbanchi” festival, offering free performances in city squares until February 25th. The location is the newly revitalized Pusterla di Sant’Ambrogio, on Via Carducci.
- Clown Festival in Isola District: Enjoy free-admission shows throughout the day, culminating in a grand finale at 8:45 PM at the Teatro Fontana on Via Boltraffio. No reservations are required.
Numerous municipal districts are also hosting their own celebrations:
- CarnevaNolo in Via Padova: Starting at 2:00 PM at Via Padova 118, this event welcomes children, families, schools, and associations.
- Greco District Parade: A morning parade with “Arlecchino innamorato” begins at 10:30 AM. In the afternoon, at 3:30 PM, a street party inspired by the Olympics will feature shows and snacks.
Waterborne Celebrations: Dragon Boat on Naviglio Grande
The festivities extend beyond the streets to the water! Canottieri San Cristoforo is organizing a unique Dragon Boat event, allowing participants to navigate the Naviglio Grande in costume aboard traditional Venetian rowing boats, canoeing boats, kayaks, or dragon boats. This event takes place at 3:30 PM at Alzaia Naviglio Grande 122. Participation requires a 10 Euro ticket.
Sergio Passetti, President of Canottieri San Cristoforo, explains, “This special afternoon combines the vibrant colors and excitement of Carnival with sports and the Milanese tradition of navigating city waters, in one of Milan’s iconic locations, engaging the local sports community and beyond.” Live music will accompany the water parade.
Kid-Friendly Activities: From Castles to Planetariums
Children have a plethora of options for carnival fun:
- “Carnival at Ludovico il Moro’s Court” at Sforzesco Castle: A game-visit starts at 4:00 PM, with costumes of ladies and knights available on-site.
- Planetarium in Corso Venezia: Kids are encouraged to dress up as astronauts or aliens for this themed event.
- Cineteca Milano Mic in Viale Fulvio Testi: At 3:00 PM, enjoy a screening of the animated film “Paddington in Peru.”
Evening Entertainment: Parties and Celebrity Appearances
As evening descends, young people can flock to various city venues hosting themed events:
- “Teenage Dream” at Fabrique: On Via Fantoli, relive your teenage years with outfits inspired by movies like High School Musical and Camp Rock.
- Masked Party at Alcatraz: Located on Via Valtellina, this party features 90s music, reggaeton rhythms, and karaoke.
- Snoop Dogg at Twiga: The renowned rapper, now an adopted Milanese resident after visiting La Scala, the Last Supper, and Balera dell’Ortica, will perform at the club on Via Turati alongside French Montana.
Full List of Events and Locations
Below is a summary of key events. For detailed information and additional activities, please refer to the official Milan city guides.
| Event | Location | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| “L’Arena di Cyrano” | Pusterla di Sant’Ambrogio, Via Carducci | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Theatrical competition, free performances |
| Clown Festival | Isola District (Teatro Fontana, Via Boltraffio) | All day (Grand Finale 8:45 PM) | Free admission, no reservations |
| CarnevaNolo | Via Padova 118 | 2:00 PM onwards | For children, families, schools, associations |
| Greco District Parade | Greco District | 10:30 AM | With Arlecchino innamorato |
| Greco District Street Party | Greco District | 3:30 PM | Olympics-inspired show and snacks |
| Dragon Boat | Alzaia Naviglio Grande 122 | 3:30 PM | 10 Euro ticket, navigate in costume |
| “Carnival at Ludovico il Moro’s Court” | Sforzesco Castle | 4:00 PM onwards | Game-visit, costumes available |
| Planetarium Themed Event | Planetarium, Corso Venezia | Various | Dress code: astronauts or aliens |
| “Paddington in Peru” Screening | Cineteca Milano Mic, Viale Fulvio Testi | 3:00 PM | Animated film |
| “Teenage Dream” | Fabrique, Via Fantoli | Evening | Themed outfits (High School Musical, Camp Rock) |
| Masked Party | Alcatraz, Via Valtellina | Evening | 90s music, reggaeton, karaoke |
| Snoop Dogg & French Montana | Twiga, Via Turati | Evening | Concert |
Tips for Enjoying the Carnival:
- Plan Ahead: With numerous events, decide which ones you want to attend in advance.
- Dress Up: Embrace the carnival spirit by wearing a costume!
- Public Transport: Consider using public transportation to avoid traffic and parking issues.
- Stay Updated: Check local news and official city websites for any last-minute changes or additional events.
Milan’s Ambrosian Carnival promises a weekend filled with joy, creativity, and community spirit. Don’t miss out on these unique celebrations!
Source: https://milano.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_febbraio_21/milano-maschere-in-strada-e-sull-acqua-carnevale-ambrosiano-diffuso-in-tutta-la-citta-di-giorno-festa-con-arlecchino-la-notte-38a0c5f4-6a73-4e08-8071-dc08358d9xlk.shtml
