Events calendar Italie - Alpes italiennes et Dolomites

On the day of the Epiphany, a tradition that dates back to the 14th century takes place: the procession of the Three Wise Men, made up of Gaspard, Melchior and Balthazar, as well as many other characters, shepherds, knights and peasants, travels along Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese, from the Duomo to the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio, to finally lay down their gifts in front of a living crib. For the people of Milan, this is an opportunity to gather around the procession, which has become an unavoidable celebration of the Christmas season.

Every year, this open-air opera festival is held in the evocative setting of the Arena di Verona, the city's Roman amphitheater. An event not to be missed if you love opera singing! Four or five operas are usually performed over 40 days each year. The first edition of the festival dates back to 1913, the centenary of Verdi's birth, when Aida, one of his best-known operas, was performed.

This important festival of baroque classical music takes place every year in Piedmont, on the island of San Giulio, in the center of Lake Orta. An incredible setting! Five days of concerts punctuate the event, as well as numerous theatrical performances in period costume by candlelight. Remember to book your tickets online early, as the festival's insular location and local popularity mean that remaining seats in June are scarce.

The Nivola is a centuries-old tradition that every year, on the Saturday closest to September 14, the Archbishop of Milan climbs on a kind of mechanical cloud (la nivola) to the highest point of the apse of the Duomo to recover the relic of a nail of the Holy Cross. The faithful have the opportunity to see this nail placed on the altar of the Duomo until Sunday. It is then returned to its original place. This tradition dates back to 1576, when the archbishop of the time implored the relic to end the plague epidemic.

A day when the rainbow flag is the protagonist on the streets of the city. A great parade is organised, as well as festivities throughout the evening.

Milan too can boast an international fair of design and modern and contemporary art (from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day) which attracts more and more traders and visitors every year. Over the years, this event has become a reference in the field of contemporary art, where collectors, gallery owners, museum curators, artists, etc. meet. Miart offers the largest chronological range of works at the modern and contemporary art fairs in Italy. The fair welcomes galleries from over 20 different countries.

All children love San Nicolò who brings them presents. Not even afraid of the ugly Krampus!

In Castelrotto, the snow-covered mountains of Trentino-Alto Adige are the setting for a popular festival: the famous Saint Nicholas' Day costume parade, with the dreadful Krampus as a bonus! It's a bit like the local "Père Fouettard", dressed in animal skin, his emaciated face is surmounted by large horns. His disciples, wearing terrifying masks, wander alongside him in the streets of the village, torch in hand, to the sound of bells... in search of the bambini cattivi (wicked children).