Italy · month by month
Milan food calendar
What is in season in Milan, what to eat right now, the food festivals worth planning around and the months to be careful with. Tap a month.
January in Milan
The best of January: Chiacchiere and tortelli, Panettone.
In season
- Risotto weather
Saffron risotto alla milanese and ossobuco come into their own in the cold months.
Oct–Jan - Cassoeula
The pork and Savoy cabbage stew of Lombardy, a winter dish.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Chiacchiere and tortelliCarnival
Ambrosian carnival runs a few days longer than elsewhere; fried tortelli filled with cream.
Jan–Feb - PanettoneChristmas
Milan's own; every pasticceria sells its own, and there are panettone fairs in November.
Nov–Jan
Nothing of this kind in January. Try Everything.
February in Milan
The best of February: Chiacchiere and tortelli, Cassoeula.
In season
- Cassoeula
The pork and Savoy cabbage stew of Lombardy, a winter dish.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Chiacchiere and tortelliCarnival
Ambrosian carnival runs a few days longer than elsewhere; fried tortelli filled with cream.
Jan–Feb
Nothing of this kind in February. Try Everything.
March in Milan
Shoulder seasonThe best of March: Colomba.
Eat it now
- ColombaEaster
The dove-shaped Easter cake with almond glaze.
Mar–Apr
Nothing of this kind in March. Try Everything.
April in Milan
Peak seasonThe best of April: Colomba, Spring asparagus and peas, Milan Design Week.
In season
- Spring asparagus and peas
White asparagus from Cantello and new peas on spring menus.
Apr–May
Eat it now
- ColombaEaster
The dove-shaped Easter cake with almond glaze.
Mar–Apr
On the calendar
- Milan Design WeekApril
Not a food event, but the city's restaurants and bars are packed. Book early.
Nothing of this kind in April. Try Everything.
May in Milan
Peak seasonThe best of May: Spring asparagus and peas, Tuttofood.
In season
- Spring asparagus and peas
White asparagus from Cantello and new peas on spring menus.
Apr–May
On the calendar
- Tuttofood
Trade fair at Rho Fiera, May 11 to 14, 2026; professional visitors.
Nothing of this kind in May. Try Everything.
June in Milan
Peak seasonThe best of June: Identità Milano.
On the calendar
- Identità Milano
Chefs' congress, June 7 to 9, 2026 at Allianz MiCo; reduced rates for under-35s; mainly an industry event.
Nothing of this kind in June. Try Everything.
July in Milan
Nothing of this kind in July. Try Everything.
Nothing special on our calendar for July yet. The city guide has what is good all year.
August in Milan
A hard month
Plan around
- Ferragostomid-August
Milan is quiet in August and many restaurants close for two or three weeks.
Nothing of this kind in August. Try Everything.
September in Milan
Peak seasonThe best of September: Mushrooms and the harvest.
In season
- Mushrooms and the harvest
Porcini from the nearby valleys; Franciacorta and Oltrepò harvests an hour away.
Sep–Oct
Nothing of this kind in September. Try Everything.
October in Milan
Peak seasonThe best of October: Mushrooms and the harvest, Risotto weather, Milano Wine Week.
In season
- Mushrooms and the harvest
Porcini from the nearby valleys; Franciacorta and Oltrepò harvests an hour away.
Sep–Oct - Risotto weather
Saffron risotto alla milanese and ossobuco come into their own in the cold months.
Oct–Jan
On the calendar
- Milano Wine Week
Oct 17 to 25, 2026; 100+ activations across the city, tickets via Dice.
- Panettone Day temporary store
Oct 7 to Nov 1, 2026, daily 10:00 to 20:00 at Corso Garibaldi 50; free events.
Nothing of this kind in October. Try Everything.
November in Milan
Shoulder seasonThe best of November: Panettone, Risotto weather and Panettone fairs.
In season
- Risotto weather
Saffron risotto alla milanese and ossobuco come into their own in the cold months.
Oct–Jan - Cassoeula
The pork and Savoy cabbage stew of Lombardy, a winter dish.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- PanettoneChristmas
Milan's own; every pasticceria sells its own, and there are panettone fairs in November.
Nov–Jan
On the calendar
- Panettone fairsNovember
Several panettone shows and competitions run in the weeks before Christmas.
Nothing of this kind in November. Try Everything.
December in Milan
Shoulder seasonThe best of December: Sant'Ambrogio, Panettone and Oh Bej! Oh Bej!.
In season
- Risotto weather
Saffron risotto alla milanese and ossobuco come into their own in the cold months.
Oct–Jan - Cassoeula
The pork and Savoy cabbage stew of Lombardy, a winter dish.
Nov–Feb
Eat it now
- Sant'Ambrogio7 December
The patron saint's day starts the Christmas season with the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! market around the Castello.
- PanettoneChristmas
Milan's own; every pasticceria sells its own, and there are panettone fairs in November.
Nov–Jan
On the calendar
- Oh Bej! Oh Bej!7 December, for about four days
Street market around the Castello Sforzesco with mulled wine, roast chestnuts and sweets.
Nothing of this kind in December. Try Everything.
Festival dates move from year to year, so check this year's dates before you book. Seasons are how growers, markets and local guides describe them; edges vary with the weather. Know something we missed? Tell us.