In the Lombard capital, the Carnival he is in no hurry to conclude and follows his own rhythm, marked by the Ambrosian calendar whose origins date back to the 4th century and are linked to the figure of Saint Ambrosebishop and patron of Milan. According to popular tradition, Ambrose was on pilgrimage precisely on the days when Lent should have begun and he asked the faithful to wait for his return before beginning the period of penance. The trip lasted longer than expected and the Milanese extended the celebrations, continuing to celebrate Carnival even though elsewhere it had already ended.
Since then, the Ambrosian calendar establishes that Lent does not begin on Ash Wednesday, but on the following Sunday, the first of Lent. It is for this reason that in Milan the last day of Carnival does not coincide with Mardi Gras, but with Ambrosian Shrove Saturday which marks the culmination of the festival with events and parades.
Date 2026
In 2026 the Ambrosian Carnival takes place from February 15 to 21. The symbolic moment of closing is Saturday February 21on the day of Ambrosian Shrove Saturday, while Shrove Tuesday falls on February 24.
Ambrosian Carnival Events 2026
The Ambrosian Carnival 2026 program alternates events in the center and initiatives distributed in the different neighborhoods, with proposals designed for those who like the more traditional Carnival and for families who want to experience it with children.
Carnival at the Sforza Castle
Among the most evocative events, those organized within the Sforza Castle: Saturday February 21 at 4 p.m. and Sunday February 22 at 10:30 a.m., Carnival at the court of Ludovico il Moro takes children back in time. With simple accessories, they can transform into dukes, ladies, knights and messengers, and become the protagonists of an imaginary day at the duke’s court.
Also the same weekend, the experience dedicated to “Castle Monsters»: eagles, dragons, snakes and lions guide children on a fascinating journey between sculptures and bas-reliefs, and reveal legends, symbols and meanings linked to good and evil, vices and virtues, for a key to understanding the visual language of the time.
Carnival at the Ambrosian Pinacoteca
Carnival also enters museums, as evidenced by the double meeting at the Ambrosiana Art Gallery.
THE “Retail Hunt“, a fun tour designed for families, where art and mathematics show how shapes, proportions and numbers helped artists tell stories clearly and effectively.
Milan Clown Festival
One of the most anticipated events of the Ambrosian Carnival, the Milan Clown Festivalwhich continues until Saturday February 21 with free street theater, contemporary circus, juggling and traveling shows.
The Isola district and its surroundings become a large meeting space where artists and the public mingle in a light and engaging atmosphere.
Fat Saturday
In the afternoon, the traditional parade of floats in the center: the procession, prepared according to tradition by the speakers, travels through some of the most representative streets and is accompanied by musical groups, jugglers, stilt walkers and street artists.
The heart of the celebration is Cathedral Squarewhich comes alive with shows and moments dedicated to symbolic masks Meneghino and Cecca. The tanks and masked groups move between Corso Venezia, San Babila and the Castello Sforzesco district.
How to participate
Most of the Ambrosian Carnival events take place outdoors, in the squares and streets of Milanand it is a free participation. There is no need to purchase tickets to attend major parades and public events.
How to get to the Ambrosian Carnival
Getting around Milan during Carnival is not difficult thanks to the dense metro network, trams and buses.
The Duomo stops, served by lines M1 and M3, and San Babila, on line M1, provide easy access to the central parade areas.
For those who wish to travel to the Sforzesco Castle and Sempione Park area, the Cairoli and Cadorna stops, connected to lines M1 and M2, are convenient access points to fully experience the Ambrosian Carnival 2026.