Last Updated on: 22nd March 2022, 11:42 pm
Milan is a great place to visit year-round, but there are certain times when the city is just buzzing with energy and fun.
If you plan to come to Lombardy to see one of these fabulous Milanese festivals, you are in for a real treat! Here are the ten best festivals in Milan to plan your trip around!
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My Favorite Travel Booking Sites for 2023
These are my favorite companies that I use on my own travels.
Protect Your Trip via Safety Wing
Find the best city tours, day tours, bus tours, & skip-the-line tickets on GetYourGuide and Viator.
Find the best deals on hotels & vacation rentals on Booking.com.
For English-speaking private airport transfers, book through Welcome Pickups.
For road trips and independent travel, rent a car through Discover Cars.
Find information and cruise reviews on Cruise Critic.
For packing and travel essentials order via Amazon.
Book an affordable family or romantic photography session on your trip through Flytographer (Use the code HISTORYFANGIRL for 10% off your first photoshoot).
For travel guidebooks to have with you during your trip, I always pick one or two from Rick Steves and Lonely Planet.
The Top 6 Most Popular Milan Tours & Attractions
Before you dig into all the city has to offer, you should know that these are the most popular guided tours, attractions, day trips, and skip-the-line tickets in Milan.
Milan Cathedral and Rooftop Ticket or Skip-the-Line Version
Milan Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: 72, 48-Hour or 1 Day Ticket
Lake Como, Bellagio and Varenna: Full-Day Tour from Milan
Leonardo3 – The World of Leonardo Museum Entrance Ticket
The Best Festivals in Milan
From the religious to the haute couture, these are the best Milan festivals:
Milan Fashion Week
Starting as early as in January (men’s fashion) and February (for women), the Milan Fashion Week is held twice every year and it lasts over a month on each occasion.
This impressive fashion festival is bound to last longer in the upcoming years to be able to accommodate the ever-growing number of new designers and artists that present their collections in the fashion capital of the world.
Milan has a long and exemplary tradition in the textile industry which goes on stage during September and October when the fall collection is presented at the Fiera Milano Exhibition Centre.
Read next: 17 Magical Things to Do in Milan in Winter for an Italian Winter Escape
Mercatone dell’Antiquariato Antiques Fair
Those visitors who love shopping sprees and retail therapy adore Milan also for its unique antique fairs and vintage markets.
The famous Antiques Fair takes place every last Sunday of every month. However, if you visit in July, remember that this is the month when the fair takes its annual leave.
The fair is also known as the Mercatone dell’Antiquariato, and it is held in the Naviglio Grande, Milan’s oldest canal.
Here, dozens of merchants prepare unique stands with curious selections of furniture, silverware, clocks, vintage bags and sunglasses, porcelain, dolls, jewelry, books, even magazines.
Read next: 27 Marvelous Things to Do in Milan, Lombardy’s Sophisticated Capital
F1 Grand Prix
The popular Italian Grand Prix is not held in the center of Milan but in the nearby city of Monza, about half an hour from the city center.
Monza hosts one of the first Grand Prix tracks ever built in Europe. The Grand Prix takes place at the beginning of September and it attracts fans and visitors from all over the world.
Saint Ambrose Festival
Milan’s most beloved saint and the city protector is Saint Ambrose (Sant’Ambrogio). Milanese citizens, as well as people coming from all over the Lombardy region, gather at the“O bei O bei” festival (which in Milanese dialect stands for “so beautiful”).
On December 7, the day the saint is remembered the Sant’Ambrogio Basilica and the surrounding area sees stalls selling local arts and crafts as well as numerous food trucks and stands offering Milanese street food like roasted chestnuts, rice fritters, pizza, and sandwiches.
You also find generous glasses of vin brulé, a local spiced wine that Milanese love to enjoy during the whole cold season.
Read next: 11 Festive Things to do for Christmas in Milan for a Magical Milanese Christmas
Milan Jazz Festival
Fond of art and music, the Milanese love to celebrate jazz music during the popular annual festival.
Every November, the Milan Jazz Festival takes place around different music venues in town, which host Italian and international jazz musicians attending especially for over a month.
Ambrosiano Carnival
Carnival is a heartfelt celebration in Milan and it represents a joyful moment for the locals who dress up ad enjoy old-time traditions.
The festival usually begins on the first Saturday of Lent (check the calendar accordingly since it’s a date that changes according to when Easter is celebrated).
One of the most beloved outfits locals love to wear is called Meneghino, a traditional character related to the Italian Commedia dell’Arte.
Kids especially enjoy the endless parades and the delicious fritelle, Milan’s Carnival sweet fritters.
Read next: 21 Magical Things to Do in Milan at Night + Milan Nightlife Guide!
Tredesin de Mars
Locals celebrate Tredesin de Mars to commemorate the religious conversion of the Milanese into Christianity under Saint Barnabas.
Despite being a popular festival, it has no real connection to historical fact, since it has been repeatedly proved that the famous saint never made it to Milan.
According to the legend, Saint Barnabas came to the city on March 13th and made thirteen signs with his cross on the floor of Santa Maria del Paradiso church which caused the pagans to convert.
Tredesin de Mars is also a celebration in which locals welcome better weather, flowers blossoming, and the arrival of spring.
In the Tredesin Fair, people sell and buy sweets and flowers, while there’s a religious procession in the central area of Porta Romana.
Read next: 17 Hidden Gems in Milan
Milano Film Festival
Considered one of the best and most prestigious film festivals as far as documentaries are concerned, the festival is a great opportunity for directors who want to present short films.
A special characteristic of this event is that films are not categorized and that meetings and workshops with the audiences are the main opportunities that filmmakers have to learn about the opinion that the audiences have on their work.
This festival usually takes place in September.
Oggi Aperto
More of a happening event than a festival, locals love and take full advantage of this Open Day (in Milan known as Oggi Aperto, or Today Open).
On this special day, usually during the last weekend of March, every historical monument or building of architectural relevance that is usually private and impossible to access is open to the public.
Latin American Festival
Milan’s most important summer festival is the Latin American Festival which sees thousands of visitors during June and July.
During these days, the city celebrates the hundreds of Latin Americans that live in the city and the special bond that this part of the world has long had with Milan.
The festival is a great culinary event, with food from every Latin American country, but it’s also possible to enjoy shows, dance, buy arts and crafts, or take part in many different cultural events.
5 Things to Bring with You to Italy
The Lonely Planet Italy guidebook or the Rick Steves Italy guidebook for your trip. It can be kind of a pain to find the major guidebooks once you arrive in Italy, or you’ll find them overpriced.
I always like to pick mine up ahead of time.
An Unlocked Cell Phone so that you can use an Italian sim card while here to help navigate the trains.
Backup Charging Bank for your cell phone since you’ll be using it as a camera, GPS system, and general travel genie.
A Camera since Rome is super photogenic. I use a mix of my Nikon D810 and my Samsung8 smartphone these days. (Though many of these pics in this post were on my old Nikon D40).
A Great Day Bag so you can carry what you need with you (like your camera, snacks, water, sunscreen, cash, etc).
My current favorite is the Pacsafe Citysafe, which is especially great for Italy because it has many anti-theft features.
Italy is the only country in the world where I’ve almost been the victim of a pickpocket!
The Pacsafe Citysafe also transitions to a night bag more easily and won’t embarrass you if you go to dinner directly after sightseeing all day.
More Italy Travel Resources
I love Italy! Here are all my Italy resources to help you plan your trip, organized by destination.
Italy Country Guides
Before you leave for your trip, enjoy these books about Italy and beautiful Italy quotes to help get you inspired!
Florence
This magical Rennaisance capital belongs on everyone’s Italy bucket list. Check out this itinerary for 2 days in Florence, the best things to do in Florence and these beautiful quotes about Florence.
Milan
I adore Milan! I’m *this close* to calling it my favorite city in Italy.
While here, make sure to enjoy the best things to do in Milan, what to eat in Milan, and what to do in Milan at night! And don’t skip any of the best Milan hidden gems!
Only plan on being here for a few days? Check out my three-day Milan itinerary.
Make sure to go on a Tour of the Last Supper (and buy your tickets early!). When you’re done, check out these other beautiful Milan historic churches.
If you want to get out of the city, here are the best day trips from Milan and how to visit Lake Como from the city.
Headed to Milan from late November through early March? Check out the best things to do in Milan in winter and what to do in Milan at Christmas.
Once you’re here, use these quotes about Milan for your Instagram captions!
Finally, before you arrive, check to see if there’s a special Milan festival happening while you’ll be in the city!
Rome
Rome was the first European city I ever visited, and it stole my heart! While here, make sure to see the Roman Forum.
Looking for a history-themed day trip from Rome? You can visit Ostia Antica! (Not sure if Ostia Antica is right for you? Here’s how to choose between Ostia Antica or Pompeii).
Venice
Venice is absolutely beautiful. Use these beautiful quotes about Venice for your picture captions.
Naples & the Amalfi Coast
Headed to Naples? Here’s the perfect one-day-in-Naples itinerary.
You can enjoy these beautiful quotes about the Amalfi coast to inspire your trip!
Italy is Included in These Round-Ups
The Most Beautiful Beaches in the Mediterranean
The Best Books to Read on Vacation
The Most Beautiful Castles in the World
The Best Wine Countries in the World
Where to Go in Europe in September
The Most Underrated Cities in Europe
Before You Leave for Italy – Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Make sure you have a valid Travel Insurance Policy because accidents happen on the road.
I use World Nomads for my long trips to Europe, and I happily recommend them. It’s especially important to get travel insurance if you’ll be hanging out in cities (like Rome, Milan, Venice…ahem) where tourists can be the victims of pickpockets.
Italy is the only country I’ve been to (out of almost seventy) where I’ve had someone try to pick my pocket!
I have been a paying customer of World Nomads for travel insurance for two years, and I happily recommend them. If you get sick, injured, or have your stuff stolen, you’ll be happy to have the ability to pay for your medical bills or replace what’s stolen or broken.
Get a Travel Insurance quote for your trip.
Pin this Guide to the Best Milan Festivals for Your Trip!
