Exhibitions in Milan: practical guide to May 2026 shows

Exhibitions in Milan: what to see in May 2026

Milan hosts a busy program of exhibitions across major museums and exhibition spaces: retrospectives, site‑specific installations and thematic surveys. Below is a practical guide to the main shows, with venue and timing details and useful tips for planning your visit.

• Andy Warhol. Passaggio in Italia 1975-1987 — Refettorio delle Stelline, Corso Magenta 20. Documentary exhibition with archival materials and works from private and institutional collections; free admission; running until 20 June 2026.
• Metafisica / Metafisiche — distributed venues (Palazzo Reale, Museo del Novecento, Gallerie d'Italia, Grande Brera – Palazzo Citterio). A dialogue between historical Metaphysical masters and contemporary artists; on view until 21 June 2026.
• I Macchiaioli — Palazzo Reale. A critical survey by prominent Italian art historians tracing the movement’s origins and development; open until 14 June 2026.
• Anselm Kiefer. Le Alchimiste — Palazzo Reale, Sala delle Cariatidi. Site‑specific large canvases addressing memory and alchemical culture; exhibition period from 07/02/2026 to 27/09/2026.
• Chiharu Shiota. The Moment the Snow Melts — MUDEC. Site‑specific installation transforming the museum’s Agora into an immersive environment themed on snow; showing until 28 June 2026.
• The Sense of Snow — MUDEC. Thematic exhibition exploring art, science and the imagery of snow; scheduled until 28 June 2026.
• 100 Photographs to Inherit the World — MUDEC. Photographic itinerary juxtaposing two centuries of images to question the present; on view until 28 June 2026.
• THE ONLY TRUE ANARCHY IS THAT OF POWER — PAC Milan. The artist’s first major European monographic show, investigating noise, language and visual spatial organization; on until 07 June 2026.
• The Gentleman – Men’s Style and Jewelry — Palazzo Morando. Exhibition examining male ornament through garments, jewelry and archival materials; open until 27 September 2026.
• Wonders of the Grand Tour — Museo Poldi Pezzoli. Collaboration with the Metropolitan Museum of Art featuring historical works and a section on Ancient Rome; running until 04 May 2026.

Practical tips

Check opening hours and access rules on each museum’s official website before you go: hours, booking requirements and ticket prices may change. For immersive experiences, prioritize MUDEC and the site‑specific projects at Palazzo Reale. To avoid queues, consider online booking and off‑peak visiting times.

Useful address — Refettorio delle Stelline: Corso Magenta 20, 20121 Milan.