FLORENCE

“Rothko in Florence”, Palazzo Strozzi & More 

From March 14th to July 26th

One of the most important exhibitions ever held in Italy on Mark Rothko (1903–70), the show spans Palazzo Strozzi, Museo di San Marco (in dialogue with Beato Angelico’s frescoes), and the vestibule of Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, designed by Michelangelo. Curated by Christopher Rothko and Elena Geuna, it traces Rothko’s fascination with Renaissance art and features works from the 1930s to 1970, including large-scale paintings never before seen in Italy. 

“Toulouse-Lautrec”, Museo degli Innocenti

Until February 22nd

This major exhibition immerses visitors in the Paris of the Belle Époque through over 170 works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, alongside furniture, documents, and artifacts, as well as pieces by other leading artists of the period. The show recreates the energy of fin-de-siècle Montmartre, from colorful posters to lively café-concerts.

“Frida Kahlo – Emotion Exhibition”, Cattedrale dell’Immagine

Until March 29th

This immersive 35-minute experience is taking over the Santo Stefano al Ponte church with Latin American colors and interactive installations, including the Mirror Room, the Crypt, and the Frida Kahlo VR Experience, which allows visitors to enter her imaginary worlds using Meta Quest 2 headsets.

“Oceani”, Villa e Giardino Bardini

Until April 12th

This exhibition of over 80 photographs by renowned National Geographic photographer David Doubilet explores the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems worldwide. Together with his wife, marine biologist Jennifer Hayes, Doubilet highlights ocean conservation through iconic images from the Caribbean, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, and Antarctica, using his signature over/under photographic technique.

“CENTOVENTI: Villa Romana 1905–2025”, Museo Novecento

Until March 8th

Celebrating 120 years of Villa Romana, this exhibition dives into its history as a hub of artistic experimentation and international exchange. Curated by Elena Agudio and Sergio Risaliti, with Mistura Allison and Eva Francioli, it presents archival materials and works by key artists associated with the Villa, including Ernst Barlach, Georg Baselitz, Max Beckmann, Michael Buthe, Max Klinger, Georg Kolbe, Käthe Kollwitz, Markus Lüpertz, Anna Oppermann, Max Pechstein, and Emy Roeder.

TESTO Florence Book Fair, Stazione Leopolda

From February 27th to March 1st

TESTO is Florence’s independent publishing fair dedicated to the contemporary books and voices shaping today’s literary landscape. Across three packed days, readers meet publishers, writers, translators, and thinkers through talks, readings, performances, and debates.

ROME

Alphonse Mucha’s “A Triumph of Beauty and Seduction”, Palazzo Bonaparte

Until March 3rd

In the grandeur of Palazzo Bonaparte, this exhibition showcases over 150 works from the artist synonymous with the Art Nouveau movement, as well as ones from Giovanni Boldini and Cesare Saccaggi; Art Nouveau furnishings and objects round out the picture. The guest of honor? Botticelli’s Venus, on loan from the Royal Museums of Turin.

“Cartier e il Mito” at Musei Capitolini, Palazzo Nuovo

Until March 15th

For the first time, Palazzo Nuovo hosts a temporary exhibition showcasing some of Cartier’s most iconic creations in dialogue with ancient Roman and Greek sculptures. The show explores how classical antiquity inspired Cartier’s design from the 19th century to today, highlighting craftsmanship, mythology, and the Maison’s connection to Italy and Rome.

Six Nations Rugby: Italy vs. England, Stadio Olimpico

March  7th

A must-see winter sporting event, as Italy takes on England in the legendary Six Nations championship at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico—expect fierce tackles and an unforgettable stadium atmosphere.

“Vivian Maier: The Exhibition” & “Pop Air” by Ugo Nespolo, Museo del Genio

Until February 15th

Rome’s newly opened Museo del Genio hosts two major exhibitions. “Vivian Maier: The Exhibition” celebrates the iconic American street photographer on the centenary of her birth, with over 200 images that reveal intimate moments of city dwellers. “Pop Air” by Ugo Nespolo features oversized inflatable sculptures inspired by canonical works of Western art—like Rodin’s The Thinker (Le Penseur)—transforming familiar forms into bright, floating volumes that emphasize irony and visual impact. 

“Zanabazar”, Galleria Borghese

From January  20th to February 22nd

The Galleria Borghese presents two masterpieces by the Mongolian artist Zanabazar: a Green Tara and a bronze self-portrait. Highlighting the “global baroque,” the exhibition draws a dialogue with Bernini’s Rome, exploring transcultural creativity in the 17th century. For the first time in Europe, Zanabazar’s works—usually preserved in Mongolia—are displayed in a Western museum, revealing surprising connections across continents and artistic traditions.

MILAN

2026 Winter Olympics, Events Across the City

From February 6th to 22nd

Milan hosts the 2026 Winter Olympics together with Cortina, bringing athletes from around the world for two weeks of high-octane competition. The opening ceremony takes place at San Siro Olympic Stadium on February 6th, while the city’s outskirts host four arenas for ice hockey, figure skating, and speed skating. The Olympic Village itself is off-limits to visitors, but you can experience the excitement at the giant Olympic superstore near the Duomo, offering all the merchandise and fanfare you could desire.

Milan Design Week 2026, Events Across the City

From April 21st to 26th

The Salone del Mobile and Fuorisalone return to Rho Fiera for six days, showcasing furnishing innovations that merge function, technology, material research, and expressive vision. This year’s theme is “Be the Project,” with a focus on design as an active and responsible process, emphasizing our individual roles in creating a more sustainable future. 

Miart 2026, Allianz MiCo

From April 17th to 19th

Miart, Milan’s international modern and contemporary art fair, marks its 30th edition this year. Under the title “New Directions”—a nod to John Coltrane’s 1963 album and a clear statement of intent—the fair draws inspiration from jazz’s ability to reinvent the familiar as a space for innovation.

Richard Wagner’s Götterdämmerung, Teatro alla Scala

From February 1st to 17th

The final opera of Götterdämmerung (The Ring of the Nibelung) returns to La Scala in Sir David McVicar’s acclaimed production. Featuring Camilla Nylund, Klaus Florian Vogt, and Günther Groissböck, the staging leans towards Baroque theatricality, completing the epic Tetralogy with music by the Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus.

“SUEÑO PERRO”, Fondazione Prada

Until February 26th

Miuccia Prada’s Fondazione is always a good call when it comes to new and exciting art shows. This fall, an exhibition from Oscar-Winning director Alejandro G. Inarritu (The Revenant, Babel, Birdman…) reveals unseen footage from his cult classic Amores Perros. The multi-sensorial exhibition features a bespoke soundscape, walking through a semi-dark labyrinth, creating a dreamlike atmosphere exploring the themes of love, betrayal, and violence, marking 25 years since the film came out.

Nan Goldin’s “This Will Not End Well”, Pirelli Hangar Bicocca

Until February 15th

This landmark retrospective is the first to focus exclusively on Nan Goldin’s work as a filmmaker. Born in Washington D.C. in 1953, Goldin is renowned for her raw, intimate portrayals of love, identity, addiction, and the LGBTQ+ community. The exhibition unfolds across a series of specially designed pavilions by architect Hala Wardé, each offering an immersive environment tailored to a different body of work. “This Will Not End Well” is a bold reexamination of Goldin’s legacy and her profound influence on contemporary visual culture.

“I Macchiaioli”, Palazzo Reale 

From February 3rd to June 14th

Milan’s first-ever retrospective of the Macchiaioli, the 19th-century painters who rejected academic tradition and pioneered modern Italian painting by focusing patches (macchie) of color and light and En Plein Air (Outdoor Painting)—predating French Impressionism. Over 100 works by Fattori, Lega, and Signorini capture the movement’s bold brushwork and its ties to the Risorgimento, with a fresh, in-depth look at this pivotal moment in art history, part of Milan Cortina 2026’s cultural program.

“Anselm Kiefer, Le Alchimiste”, Palazzo Reale

From February 7th to September 27th

Part of the Milano Cortina 2026 cultural program, Le Alchimiste presents a major new exhibition by Anselm Kiefer in the Sala delle Cariatidi. Curated by Gabriella Belli, the show features over 40 large-scale works created in dialogue with the war-scarred space, with the goal of restoring visibility to forgotten female figures of science, alchemy, and knowledge.

“Il Senso della Neve: Peoples, Ancient Art, and Contemporary Visions”, MUDEC

From February 12th to June 28th

A free, multidisciplinary exhibition exploring snow as both a natural phenomenon and a cultural force, Il Senso della Neve brings together over 150 works—from ancient artifacts and ethnographic objects to modern and contemporary art—tracing how snow has shaped scientific inquiry, artistic imagination, and human life from Arctic cultures to today’s climate debates.

“Chiharu Shiota, The Moment the Snow Melts”, MUDEC

Until June 28th

This free, site-specific installation transforms MUDEC’s agorà into a suspended snowy landscape of threads, paper, and floating names. Curated by Sara Rizzo, the work invites visitors to reflect on presence, absence, and memory, offering a quiet, contemplative space where human connections—past and fleeting—are made visible.

Esa-Pekka Salonen / Sibelius, Teatro alla Scala

From March 2nd to March 6th

Salonen leads the Filarmonica della Scala in a program featuring Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin, his own Horn Concerto (Italian premiere), and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5. Stefan Dohr joins as horn soloist in a series that highlights La Scala’s mastery of symphonic tradition.

Gala Fracci, Teatro alla Scala

From January 31st to February 3rd

La Scala pays tribute to the legendary Carla Fracci with the fifth edition of the Gala, reviving signature roles from ballets such as Le Corsaire, Francesca da Rimini, and The Sleeping Beauty. Featuring the full Ballet Company, international guest artists, and students from the Academy, the performances celebrate Fracci’s enduring influence on dance and La Scala’s legacy. Tickets are selling fast. 

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO

2026 Winter Olympics, Locations Across the Mountains

From February  6th to  22nd

Cortina d’Ampezzo, the jewel of the Dolomites, hosts the 2026 Winter Olympics with Milan, bringing the world’s top athletes to Italy’s iconic alpine slopes. From skiing to snowboarding and everything in between, the events will feature breathtaking performances and a celebration of winter sport at its very best—all in a jaw-dropping location.

TURIN

“Fashion Life”, La Castiglia in Saluzzo

Until March 1st

Celebrating the great master Ferdinando Scianna’s work, this photo exhibition sheds light on the lesser known chapter in his career: fashion. Best known for his Dolce & Gabbana campaign from 1987, shot in Sicilian villages and featuring the famous model Marpessa, the exhibition features over 90 works where quotidianità replaces artificial poses.

“Nights – Five Centuries of Stars, Dreams, Full Moons”, GAM 

Until March 1st

Nights is an exploration of our relationship with the sky—at risk of sounding obvious, specifically at nighttime—which has inspired scientific and artistic creation since the dawn of time. The exhibition spans more than 400 years of works from Galileo’s astronomical observations to Jackson Pollock. 

“Alice Neel. I Am The Century”, Pinacoteca Agnelli 

Until April 6th

Pinacoteca Agnelli unveils Italy’s first retrospective dedicated to Alice Neel, the figurative pioneer who defied the era’s Abstract Expressionism to chronicle the raw humanity of 20th-century New York, from Harlem residents and Communist intellectuals to celebrated pregnant nudes. Across seven decades of her work, “I Am the Century” positions Neel as a “chronicler of life”, laying bare the “human comedy” through an unflinching gaze. 

“Orazio Gentileschi. A Painter on the Move”, Musei Reali

Until May 3rd

This exhibition traces the travels of Orazio Gentileschi, one of 17th-century Italy’s most celebrated painters, showcasing works created for European courts and collectors. Curated by Annamaria Bava and Gelsomina Spione, the show culminates in Gentileschi’s monumental Annunciation (1623). 

VENICE

Carnevale

From January 31st to February 17th

Mark your calendars for Italy’s most iconic festival: Venice’s Carnevale. Over nearly three weeks, the city becomes a sea of masks, costumes, and pageantry, from the spectacular Flight of the Angel over Piazza San Marco to intimate masked balls in historic palazzi. Don’t miss the Costume Contests, gondola parades along the canals, and street performances in every sestiere, where local artisans showcase elaborate masks and traditional crafts.

“Murano Illumina il Mondo”, Piazza San Marco

Until March 1st

St. Mark’s Square is transformed into an open-air gallery with 12 site-specific chandeliers by international artists, created in collaboration with Murano’s historic glassworks. The pieces were created by artists/designers Chahan Minassian, Christian Pellizzari, Eros Raffael, F. Taylor Colantonio, Irene Cattaneo, Joana Vasconcelos, Luca Nichetto, Lucio Bubacco, Massimo Micheluzzi, Michela Cattai, Ru Xiao Fan, and Simone Crestani in 12 different furnaces on Murano, helping to celebrate the island’s legacy and continued innovation. 

“Gastone Novelli (1925–1968)”, Ca’ Pesaro

Until March 1st

Curated by Elisabetta Barisoni and Paola Bonani, this centenary retrospective traces Novelli’s evolution through 60 works. The survey spans his early informal period and 1960s visual-verbal experiments to the politically charged pieces from his 1968 Venice Biennale solo room, alongside archival materials and several works never previously exhibited.

“Manu-Facture: The Ceramics of Lucio Fontana”, Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Until March 2nd

Curated by Sharon Hecker, this exhibition focuses on Lucio Fontana’s ceramics, a lesser-known but essential part of his work, spanning from the 1920s in Argentina to postwar Italy. Over 70 works, including many never-before-seen pieces, explore his experimental, tactile approach to clay and his collaborations with ceramists and architects. The show includes a short film by Felipe Sanguinetti and a program of talks and guided tours.

BOLOGNA

“Graphic Japan”, Museo Civico Archeologico

Until April 6th

A journey through Japanese graphic art, Graphic Japan spans from Edo-period ukiyo-e prints to contemporary manga and posters. Curated by Rossella Menegazzo with Eleonora Lanza, the exhibition features over 200 works and is divided into four themes: Nature, Figures, Signs, Contemporary Japonism. Masterpieces from Italian and Japanese collections, including the Edoardo Chiossone Museum and the Dai Nippon Foundation, are paired with a rich program of cultural events that explore the depth and nuance of Japan’s visual imagination.

“Michelangelo and Bologna”, Palazzo Fava

Until February 15th

On the 550th anniversary of Michelangelo’s birth, this exhibition explores his ties to Bologna, highlighting the city’s influence on his early development. Original works, casts, drawings, and archival documents are presented alongside pieces by Ercole de’ Roberti, Francesco Francia, Lorenzo Costa, and Amico Aspertini, offering a rich perspective on Renaissance art and culture.

“Bartolomeo Cesi (1556–1629). The Painting of Silence in the Age of the Carracci”, Museo Civico Medievale

Until February 22nd

The first major monographic exhibition on Bartolomeo Cesi explores his contemplative, spiritually rooted style that distinguished him from the Carracci. Featuring over 30 works—including altarpieces, paintings, and drawings—many restored for the occasion, the show highlights Cesi’s evolution and his essential role in Bologna’s art between the Renaissance and Baroque.

PRATO

“Luigi Ghirri. Polaroid ’79-’83”, Centro Pecci

Until May 10th 

Centro Pecci presents Luigi Ghirri. Polaroid ’79–’83, a deep dive into one of Italy’s most poetic and pioneering photographers. Featuring over 100 Polaroid images—many never before exhibited—this show traces a deeply personal and experimental period in Ghirri’s career.

“Vivono”, Centro Pecci

Until May 10th 

This powerful exhibition explores the HIV/AIDS crisis in Italy between 1982 and 1996 through documents, posters, articles, videos, and soundtracks that sketch the political, cultural, and social climate of that period. Titled Vivono, the show also features works by international artists such as Keith Haring, Gran Fury, and Felix Gonzalez-Torres—whose iconic blue organza curtains return to Italy for the first time since 1991. Rather than treating HIV/AIDS as a subject, the exhibition uses the illness as a lens to examine beauty, fragility, and connection.

PALERMO

“The Golden Age. Sicilian Jewelry between the 16th and 19th centuries”, Villa Zito

Until May 24th

This exhibition celebrates Sicilian goldsmithing from the 17th to 19th centuries, featuring a rare private collection alongside pieces from Palermo, Monreale, Trapani, and beyond—many pieces never before displayed to the public. Highlights include exquisite polychrome jewels and intricate forms that reveal Sicily’s inspiration by Spanish and French craftsmanship. There will also be a few contemporary Sicilian jewelers like Fiorella Friscia and Laura Di Giovanna represented. 

NAPLES

“Donne nella Napoli spagnola. Un altro Seicento”, Gallerie d’Italia

Until March 22nd

The Naples Gallery d’Italia presents a major exhibition exploring the role of women in 17th-century Neapolitan art. The show features female artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Giovanna Garzoni, and Diana Di Rosa, alongside performers and artisans who shaped the cultural scene of Spanish Naples. Highlights include Velázquez’s portrait of Maria of Austria and Ribera’s striking portrait of Maddalena Ventura.