Local tourist offices are a good source of information on events and festivals happening in the area.

Festivals in Milan

• Milan Tourist Information
  Tel: 02 725 24301
• Corteo dei Rei Magi: Twelfth night is celebrated on 6 January. In Milan this involves a procession between Sant'Ambroglio and Sant'Eustorgio.
• Sei Giorno di Ciclismo: A competitive cycling event that lasts for six days. Cyclists race at Forum di Assago in Milan.
• Carnevale Ambrosiano: In February, all the Italian cities celebrate carnival season, especially Milan, where there are floats and parades to the Piazza del Duomo. Festivities continue until the Saturday following Shrove Tuesday.
• Milan Fashion Week: Fashion event where the new seasonal lines are unveiled and the city plays host to many international celebrities and models. Admittance is by invitation only.
• Festa del Naviglio: Summer celebration with torchlight processions, music, markets, crafts, street artists and sporting events.
• Sagra di San Cristoforo: Held in June, Saint Christopher's day is marked with music, dancing and firework displays on the banks of the river.
• Festa di Sant'Ambrogio: The feast day of Saint Ambrose is 7 December. There are many religious celebrations and fairs held at this time. Oh bej! Oh bej! (literally meaning 'how beautiful') is the name given to the street fair around the Basillica di Sant'Ambroglo.
  • For information on Saint Ambrose: Click here

Festivals in Bergamo

• Bergamo Tourist Information
  e-mail
  Website
• Festival Michelangeli: Held annually between April and June, this piano festival is dedicated to Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, a renowned Brescian muscian. The theme of the festival changes each year and there are concerts held in Bergamo and Brescia. Classical orchestras compete for the Michelangeli Prize which is awarded to those who have made the most impressive contribution to classical music.
  • Festival Michelangeli website  (in Italian)

Festivals in Brescia

• Brescia Tourist Information
  Tel: 030 240 0835
  Website
• Millemiglia: This vintage car rally is held annually in May. It involves a two-day race to Rome and back again.
• Festival Michelangeli: Held annually between April and June, this piano festival is dedicated to Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, a renowned Brescian musician. The theme of the festival changes each year and there are concerts held in Bergamo and Brescia. Classical orchestras compete for the Michelangeli Prize which is awarded to those who have made the most impressive contribution to classical music.
  • Festival Michelangeli website  (in Italian)
• Carnevale di Bagolino: Bagolino's annual carnival in February involving street dancing and music. The costumes are brightly coloured and traditional to the mountain region.
  • For more information, see the Commune di Bagolino website: Click here
• Festival di Santa Giulia: A celebration of the arts, crafts, traditions and culture of Lombardy, held in June.
  • For details of this year's event: Click here
• Musiche dal Mondo: Annual festival in celebration of world-wide music and culture.
  • Musiche dal Mondo website  (in Italian)
• Centomiglia: Sailing regatta on Lake Garda in September.
  • Centomiglia website 

Festivals in Como

• Como Tourist Office
  Tel: 031 269 712
  Website
• Sangra de San Giovanni: Literally the Feast of San Giovanni, this festival takes place in the last week of June. It involves traditional folk art and world charms. Lake Como is illuminated by floating lights and there is a firework display as the festival draws to a close.
• Palio del Baradello: A re-enactment of the fighting between the people of the region and Roman Emperor Frederico I di Svevia, il Barbarossa.
  • Palio del Baradello website  (in Italian)
• Palio Remiero del Lario: The annual rowing competition held in September.

Festivals in Cremona

• Cremona Tourist Information
  Tel: 0372 23 233
  Website
• La Festa del Torrone: A festival dedicated to nougat (torrone) held at the end of October. It includes a re-enactment of the marriage of Francesco Sforza and Bianca Maria Visconti, at which it was first tasted in 1441.
  • Cremonese Tourism Office (Azienda di Promozione Turistica del Cremonese) 
    At: Piazza del Comune 5, 26100 Cremona
    Website
  • For the Festa del Torrone website: Click here

Festivals in Lecco

• Lecco Tourist Office
  Tel: 0341 295 720
  Website
• Folklore Festival: An October festival where the local people dress in traditional costumes and parade in the streets.

Festivals in Lodi

• Lodi Tourist Office
  Tel: 0371 421 391
  Website
• Palio dei Rioni: An October festival in the Piazza della Vittoria, where local residents gather to compete in an iron horse race, organised by the Club Wasken Boys.

Festivals in Mantua

• Mantua Tourist Office
  Tel: 0376 432 432
  Website
• Chicco Ostiglia: Chefs compete to produce the best rice dishes at this Rice Festival. A celebrity from the world of cooking judges the winner. Tours of the rice road are also arranged.

Festivals in Monza & Brianza

• Formula 1 Motor Racing: Racing events are frequently held at the tracks in Monza. This includes the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which takes place in September.
  • For information and dates of racing events, see the Autodromo Nazionale Monza website: Click here
• Brianza Open Festivals: Jazz festivals in Brianza take place in the winter and spring months.
  • For the Brianza Open Festivals website: Click here 

Festivals in Pavia

• Pavia Tourist Office
  Tel: 0382 597 010
  Website
• Festa del Ticino: a cultural and sports festival that lasts for one week in September featuring musical concerts, exhibitions, tours, late shopping, food and wine.
• Fiera del Tartufo, del Miele delle Produzione Agricole dell'Oltrepo Pavese: a celebration of truffles, honey and local agricultural products, held in November.

Festivals in Sondrio

• Sondrio Tourist Office
  Tel: 0342 512 500
  Website
• Sagra di San Bello: Held in Berbenno di Valtellina in February each year, this is a medieval festival in celebration of Saint Benigno De' Medici, who founded the Monastero di Berbenno. It involves a morning procession followed by music, a feast and general festivities.
  • Sagra di San Bello website (in Italian)

Festivals in Varese

• Varese Tourist Office
  Tel: 0332 283 604
  Website
• Open Jazz: One of many music festivals in Varese, this one features jazz and other styles of music, and includes a charitable auction.
  • Open Jazz website (in Italian)

Further Information

• See The AngloINFO What's on Guide for Events & Festivals in Lombardy

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