Milan is one of the most enjoyable places to visit for its annual events. From the fantastic world of Fashion week, to the surreal experience of the Santo Chiodo in the Duomo, Milan offers annual events for the entire family. These events happen at different points of the year. Some of them are free, others are by invitation only. Regardless, Milan is one of the most vibrant Italian cities out there for tourists to enjoy.

Milan Fashion Week

One of the most well known annual events in Milan is the Milan Fashion Week. Milan is as well known in the world of fashion as New York City and Paris. The week has been extended in recent years, according to reports, in order to allow for more catwalk shows. The runway-focused fashion expos are geared toward exhibiting the world’s most intriguing designers. These world class fashionistas include Prada, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and many more You do need an invitation to get in, though, so you may want to rub elbows with all of those Hollywood celebrities you know before your trip to Milan.

Carnevale in Milan

Carnevale is well known in Italy for consisting of fireworks, concerts and lots of eating just in time to kick off the traditional Roman Catholic season of Lent. While Milan is not the most well known place for this illustrious Italian tradition, the event does exist in Milan. Carnevale takes place a little after the rest of the Carnevales in other areas of Italy. It begins on the 8th of March every year with a parade of sorts in Corsco Venezia during which children wearing masques throw confetti into the crowd.

The Duomo: The Festival of the Holy Nail

Whether you are religious or not, the Duomo, one of the world’s most famous cathedrals in Milan offers a festival that will leave you mesmerized. The cathedral, which is purported to be the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, holds inside of it a nail supposedly from the cross of the Christ. Each September, Milan’s archbishop rises upon a “mechanical cloud.” He rises with a basket in hand prepared to bring down the Santo Chiodo, or Holy Cross. He then floats down and shares the nail with the crowd.