Festivals held in Milan can’t be tagged as celebration connected with traditions and religion. This city supports a rather cosmopolitan lifestyle resulting in a quite interesting mix where fashion weeks are welcomed with equal zest and rigor as the ‘fiestas.’
Milan Fashion Week
This competition of exhibitions, festivals and fashion shows in fact begins in February with the inaugural of the Milan Fashion Week. Actually it goes on for more than a week to adjust several new designers and their collections. Milan with its tradition in textile business that goes a long way back, fashion rules the roost. It’s very competitive and appreciated industry all over the world and Milan is widely known as the ‘fashion’ capital of the world.
It’s required to be a celebrity or royal family to visit Fashion Week, so mostly you would have to be lucky with seeing all the fashion icons on the Milan streets. Such celebrity spotting is an event in itself as invitation becomes compulsory for the fashion shows. The Milan Fashion Week is held twice a year, in autumn and spring. The first spring collection of the Fashion Week is held in February or March and the autumn collection in September or October. Both of them are held mostly at the Fiera Milano Exhibition Centre.
The Antiques Fair
There is a surprise for shopaholics with the Antiques Fair which is held on last Sunday of every month, except July. The most ancient canal in Milan; Naviglio Grande is the place where the fair is held. Along the banks hundreds of retailers and merchants arrange their shops and decorate it with clocks, furniture, silver, porcelain, dolls, books, jewelry, walking sticks and comics. To add to the fun, you can also visit the nearby shops and cafes which are open this Sunday.
OggiAperto
March is the month when an “Open Day” is held in Milan and is known as OggiAperto. Historical sculptures and architectural marvels are a silent witness to Milan’s history and closed for visitors are made approachable to the public on this day. This event takes place on the last weekend of March.
Festival of SantAmbrogio
A contribution to Italian saint, Saint Ambrose is paid by Milanese people by celebrating a festival ‘O bei O bei’ whose literal meaning is ‘so beautiful.’ December is the month that perks up as the 7th day of the month arrives. Within the streets and circle surrounding Basilica of SantAmbrogio, different stalls spring up selling various local articles as well as tasty tit-bits. A specialty of Milan, the ‘vinbrule’ wine spiced up with roasted chestnuts can be tasted. The celebration begins a few days prior to the actual festival as it winds up on December 7 at the Basilica.
Carnival Ambrosiano
Carnival as celebrated in Milan, is no less than a South American festival. According to the tradition, the joyous party begins on the first Saturday of Lent. This date isn’t fixed and varies according the date of Easter. The main entertainment takes place at Piazza Duomo for the carnival enthusiasts every year who are dressed in customary outfits to take part in the parades.
Milano Film Festival
The Milano Film Festival is one of the most awaited events by documentary filmmakers who wish to show their brief unedited movies. According to the rules of other film festivals, the Milano Film Festival doesn’t give categories to movies. Directors can get to know the reaction of the audience through workshops and meetings. It’s held every September along with other sub festivals such as ‘Music Film Festival’ and ‘Fetivalino.’
Milan Jazz Festival
The affection of Milan’s citizens for music is well known all over the world and jazz takes a special position in their hearts. Every Italian town has their own jazz clubs which provide special performances at regular intervals. Milan isn’t an exception. The annual jazz festival that begins in the first week of November can last for up to a month. Different venues hold the festival where famous Italian and European jazz musicians play various styles of jazz. The local tourist office can help you out with the detailed information about the event.
Del Naviglio Festival
Del Naviglio Festival is held during the first ten days of June when the canals of Naviglio are jam packed with sellers offering their miscellaneous goods. Along with comes the entertainment including cultural parades, street performances and live entertainment shows.