Summer at the Castello Sforzesco 2026
Castello Sforzesco - Piazza Castello09.09.2026
Seventy evenings of music, theatre, cinema and culture in the Cortile delle Armi transform the heart of the city into the great open-air living room of all Milanese
There is a moment, every summer, when Milan changes pace. The evenings grow longer, the Cortile delle Armi fills with chairs and lights, and the Castello Sforzesco ceases to be merely a monument and becomes a living stage. It is the signal that Estate al Castello is back. Now in its 14th edition, the festival promoted by the City of Milan’s Department of Culture — with artistic direction by Federico Russo — brings the heart of the city to life from 12th June to 9th September 2026, with a preview evening on 10th June.
The programme counts seventy evenings with seating for up to 2,300, tickets at affordable prices, numerous free events and 21 seats reserved every evening for people with disabilities: the underlying idea is that the Castello, in summer, belongs to everyone. The calendar spans Italian and international music, theatre, dance, stand-up comedy, cultural talks and cinema, with a format capable of speaking to different generations and sensibilities.
For the first time, on selected evenings it will be possible to access some of the Castello’s museum rooms free of charge outside regular opening hours, to discover the collections and take part in educational activities — a way of further strengthening the bond between live performance and cultural heritage.
As the Culture Councillor Tommaso Sacchi has stated, “Estate al Castello transforms the Castello Sforzesco every year into a great urban stage, where Milanese residents and tourists, young people and families come together through the different languages of live performance.”
Among the season’s leading names are artists such as Alex Britti, Carmen Consoli, Angélique Kidjo, Noa and Frankie hi-nrg mc, alongside voices from the worlds of culture and public debate including Massimo Recalcati, Umberto Galimberti, Dario Fabbri and Federico Buffa. From 1st to 25th August, the stage transforms into an open-air cinema with a season curated by Cineteca Milano, bringing great classics and cult films accompanied by special events — all screenings free of charge with mandatory booking.
Events not to be missed
Capital Jam – 12th June | The opening evening brings to the stage the supergroup led by Vittorio Cosma, with Paola Turci, Francesca Michielin, Maria Antonietta and Colombre, for a night of live music and storytelling presented by Radio Capital. The most accessible ticket of the season: 15 euros.
Carmen Consoli and “D come Dannate Ingenue” – 22nd July | An all-female collective live show conceived by Carmen Consoli, which on the Castello stage brings together Nada, Marina Rei, Erica Mou, Anna Castiglia and Francamente, accompanied by readings from Concita De Gregorio. A choral performance in which music and words interweave in a vivid and deeply contemporary shared narrative.
Giancane + Zerocalcare – 10th July | The collaboration between Roman singer-songwriter Giancane and cartoonist Zerocalcare is renewed for an exclusive illustrated live show: Giancane plays, Zerocalcare draws in real time. One of the most original and eagerly anticipated events of the entire season.
Pink Floyd: Wish You Were Here – 23rd July | A theatrical and musical journey into the universe of Pink Floyd, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wish You Were Here, with a complete performance of the album, the band’s greatest classics, original footage and a reimagining of the Syd Barrett era. An experience designed for long-standing fans and newcomers alike who wish to discover the timeless magic of the band.
Sal Da Vinci – 6th September | Following his victory at the Sanremo Festival 2026 and his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Sal Da Vinci brings the Castello his moment of peak popularity: an eagerly awaited and rousing season finale, the perfect way to close out the summer in style.
All events take place at the Cortile delle Armi, Castello Sforzesco, Piazza Castello, Milan. The full programme and bookings are available through the official channels of the festival: @estate_al_castello on Instagram and estatealcastello on Facebook.
Summer at the Castello Sforzesco 2026
09 Sep 2026
