Confetti, streamers, traditional masks, princesses and superheroes! Carnival is almost here!!
The dates for Carnival vary every year. It marks the start of Lent, with the final day of celebrations being Ash Wednesday. The preceding Thursday and Tuesday are Shrove Tuesday and Fat Thursday. In Milan, things are a little different: Carnival ends four days later than carnivals in other parts of Italy! The last day for Carnival in Milan is called Fat Saturday! This year the celebrations in Milan will end Saturday February 21.
Here are a few ideas for things to do in Milan for Carnival!
The Milano Clown Festival: February 18-21, from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm
The Milano Clown Festival, the famous event dedicated to clowns and street theater that has been a staple of the Milan Carnival for 19 years, returns also in 2026 to the city with free events.
www.milanoclownfestival.it
Carnival at Sforza Castle: February 21-22
The Ad Artem company is organizing Carnival at Sforza Castle with child-friendly activities. Carnival with Monsters at the Castle, designed for children aged 6 to 10, includes a tour of the castle’s sculptures to discover allegories and enchanted stories, culminating in a special workshop where each child can create their own mask. The event will last approximately 90 minutes. For younger children, still in preschool age, there’s Carnival at the Court of Ludovico il Moro. They will be transformed into dukes and duchesses, princes and princesses, and will relive a typical day at the court of Ludovico il Moro.
Carnival with Monsters at the Castle:
February 21 at 10:30 am and 2 pm
February 22, at 2 pm and 4 pm
Court of Ludovico il Moro:
February 21 at 4 pm
February 22 at 10:30 am
