May 1–3 in Milan: what to do during the long weekend

May 1–3 in Milan: what to do during the long weekend

Milan offers a packed long weekend with May Day demonstrations, the iconic Stramilano run, concerts, theatre shows, food festivals and free museum openings. Below is a practical selection of key events from May 1 to May 3, 2026.

Highlights

• May 1 – May Day march: route from corso Venezia to piazza della Scala.
• May 3 – Stramilano: city run with starts at Piazza del Duomo and Piazza Castello, suitable for runners and families.
• May 2 & 3 – Bugs Bunny at the Symphony: Milan Symphony Orchestra at the Auditorium di Milano.
• May 2 & 3 – Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, film-concert with the Italian Cinema Orchestra at Teatro Lirico Gaber.
• May 1 – Kiefer Sutherland at Lime Milano; May 2 – Miguel at Alcatraz; May 3 – Maksim at Teatro degli Arcimboldi.

Theatre and seasons

• Teatro Furore with Massimo Popolizio at Teatro Parenti (April 28 - May 3).
• Circle Mirror Transformation with Valerio Binasco and Pamela Villoresi at Teatro Strehler (April 28 - May 3).
• Various plays with limited runs, including family and contemporary titles — check venue schedules for exact times.
• Le Mille e una Piazza: Palchi Fioriti across Milan parks (May 2 - June 7) — outdoor stages and music in green areas.

Food festivals and markets

• Open Lake Fest at Parco Lago Nord, Paderno Dugnano (April 24 - May 3) with street food and live music.
• Pic Nic d'Italia at Parco di Monza (April 24 - May 3) — great for outdoor family activities.
• Streeat Food Truck Festival in Piazza Visconti, Rho (May 1 - 3) and several local food fairs running into May (asparagus, salami, skewers, frog festivals).
• Free concerts and local celebrations in nearby towns: Saronno Sound Fest, Villaggio in Rosa in Lissone, May Day festivities in Cavenago di Brianza (May 1 - 3).

Museums and exhibitions

• May 3 – Sunday at the museum: free openings across Milan and Lombardy (participating sites offer free entry).
• Many temporary and permanent exhibitions are on view—confirm opening hours and ticketing on official museum pages.

Practical tips

• Expect longer travel times in the city centre during the march and near Stramilano start points.
• Book concert and theatre tickets in advance; food festivals are often walk-in but can be crowded.
• Check official event channels for last-minute updates and schedule changes before heading out.

Sign up to local newsletters to receive real-time updates and full programme details. Enjoy your weekend in Milan!