Hi Friend, 

I’m making it a point to test out as many events we recommend as my social battery allows. Here’s a little recap from last week (because a little FOMO never killed nobody).

N8N event on Wednesday - great idea…Italian execution😅. The organizer came from Germany and naively expected the coworking space to have…a WiFi. Ma no. So the practical part pretty much went down the drain, but you could still meet new people and the banana bread was way too good. 

Volleyball with internationals - my personal highlight. Super friendly crowd on and off the field. The guys are planning more international meet-ups over some sports context. You can join this WhatsApp group to vote for dates/times or just keep opening our emails for the event announcements. 

Pranzo della domenica - beautiful way to spend a Sunday. Met great people from veryyy diverse backgrounds. Played some quiz on Italian cuisine (lost spectacularly, but it’s the effort that counts, right? Right?). 

Ok, I’m done. Here’s what’s happening in Milan next week: 

Business, Tech & Innovation 

YES-Europe Annual Conference 2026 (16th-18th of April)

A 3-day event on energy innovation. Great if you want to see a working energy plant and connect with people shaping the green future here in Europe.

💸 €10 for the full 3-day programme. Find more info about the full schedule here.

OpenClaw Milano #1: Claws land in Milano (Mon, April 13th, 6:30pm)

A hands-on session for builders and curious minds to explore OpenClaw, the open-source AI agent system that lives on your WhatsApp or Telegram. Make sure to bring your laptop for the live setup. The event will wrap up with some pizza and drinks.

🤑 Free

Community and Networking 

Milan Startup Chess #6 (Tue, April 14th, 7pm)

Chess meetup for startup founders and VCs. All levels are welcome. The evening includes an interactive session for beginners and some pizza to fuel your late-game moves.

🤑 Free (registration required)

Tech Startups in the Pub - Milan (Thu, April 16th, 6:30pm)

A relaxed after-work gathering at an Irish pub bringing together tech founders, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about the local scene, to just grab a drink and chat. Find Volodymyr when you arrive so he can introduce you to the group. 

🤑 Free

Sports

Padel Friendlies: First Meetup (Sat, April 18th, 3pm)

This is a first-time meetup designed for all skill levels. Get some movement in while meeting new people (+ there’s a good chance of grabbing a drink together once the match is over).

💸 €10–€15 (costs split evenly among players)

Milano Coffee Run by AM Running (Sun, April 19th, 10am)

Sunday morning 5k followed by coffee. AM Running is an international community focused on social connections over speed. All paces and languages are welcome - the goal is to finish together and enjoy the vibes.

🤑 Free

Art and Culture 

Theatre Tour (Tue, April 14th, 5:30pm)

A historical introduction and behind-the-scenes exploration. You get to visit the tailoring shop to see the stage costumes and the prop room with all the theatrical machinery.

🤑 Free

Matteo Mancuso Live (Fr, April 17th, 9pm)

For music lovers and guitar geeks. Matteo Mancuso is one of the most incredible talents in the jazz fusion scene right now.

💸 €28.75

Inside the Metamorphosis: Plastic & Oceans (From April 14th)

Artist and architect Maria Cristina Finucci has created a series of haunting installations using recycled plastic and microplastics. It’s an immersive experience designed to show the forced "metamorphosis" of our oceans from cradles of life into global landfills. Plan your visit here.

💸 €5.00 (Standard Museum Entry) / €3.00 (Reduced)

Milan Art Week is the city’s massive celebration of contemporary art, coordinated by the Municipality of Milan and the MAC (Milan Art Community). This year marks its 10th edition, transforming the city into a giant open-air gallery from Monday, April 13th to Sunday, April 19th, 2026.

The program is packed with over 400 events, including exhibitions, talks, and performances, spread across 230 different venues, from major foundations and galleries to hidden independent spaces.

The Hub: the centerpiece of the week is miart 2026, the international art fair. For its 30th anniversary, it has moved to a brand-new home: the South Wing of Allianz MiCo (right next to the CityLife park).

The Theme: taking a cue from jazz legends John Coltrane and Miles Davis, miart 2026 focuses on "transformation." It’s about how the art market is adapting to new technologies and shifting dynamics between artists and galleries.

Layout: Three levels of art

While miart is the commercial heart, the Art Week spreads everywhere:

You can also check the full event’s map of 400+ events, and you can follow the page on Instagram for further curiosities and specifics

As we mentioned last week, Milan Design Week is one of the biggest events of the year in Milan. Tickets sell out fast, so if you want to visit, buy them now(ish). 

The main exhibition of SaloneMilano at Rho Fiera is primarily for professionals. But it opens to the General Public on Saturday 25th, and Sunday 26th. You must register and buy your ticket online. (Cheaper if bought before April 17th)

It’s gonna be 1,800 events across 19 neighborhoods, so you can't see everything. Pro tip: pick 2 or 3 districts (like Brera, Tortona, or 5VIE) and save the locations of the installations you don't want to miss -> check the program, see the map and create your personal agenda.

Book the "Big" Exhibitions in advance… some iconic venues like Triennale Milano or the ADI Design Museum will have massive queues. Booking a specific time slot online is the only way to ensure you actually get in.

You can book here for the Triennale Milano and here for the ADI Design Museum.


Diorama x Ornare: Respiro Kinetico

An installation that uses curated AI to transform the showroom into a moving, sensory experience. It’s a great example of how digital innovation is meeting physical craftsmanship this year. Mark your calendar for the Opening Party on Tuesday, April 21, from 18:00 to 21:00. Perfect opportunity to experience the installation with a cocktail in hand and meet the creative minds behind the project.

What happened last week and what’s changing in the city.

EDUCATION & SUSTAINABILITY / Politecnico di Milano goes 100% Green with A2A

Starting in May 2026, Politecnico di Milano will become the first Italian university to run entirely on clean energy. Thanks to an 8-year deal with A2A, the campus will be powered by a brand-new solar farm in Northern Italy. It’s a massive move toward decarbonization that not only protects the university from fluctuating energy prices but also sets a "green" blueprint for public institutions across the country.

HEALTH & SCIENCE / Milan’s IEO takes the lead in European Cancer Research 

The European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan has just achieved a unique record in the medical world. With the appointment of Nicola Fazio as president of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), the IEO now simultaneously leads three of Europe’s major scientific societies. It’s a huge win for Milan’s reputation as a global hub for medical innovation, especially as the city prepares to host the major international congress in 2027.

LIFESTYLE & FOOD / Fashion duo launches "Rito" for the slow breakfast ritual 

In a city that’s always rushing, two fashion industry veterans (with experience at Gucci and Versace) have opened Rito in Porta Venezia. This tiny, high-design café is all about slowing down. Forget the quick standing espresso; here, the focus is on specialty coffee by Cafezal and high-quality savory dishes like creamy eggs and avocado toast. Beautifully designed space to reclaim your morning time.

TRAVEL & LEISURE / Trenord: "Gite in treno" 2026 Season

Spring is officially here, and Trenord has just relaunched its popular "Gite in treno" packages for 2026. These tickets usually cover a round-trip train journey from anywhere in Lombardy plus an activity, like a ferry hop-on/hop-off on Lake Como, Lake Garda, or entry to Gardaland. Starting April 12th, 1920s vintage carriages return for specific routes to Como, Laveno, and Iseo. Packages typically start around €15-€20 (prices vary by destination and activity). You can buy the tickets online here or at Trenord ticket machines.

REAL ESTATE & DESIGN / Design Week Price Surge: Weekly rents in Milan hit €5,400

With Milan Design Week (April 20–26) just around the corner, short-term rental prices are reaching record highs. A new report shows that weekly rates for a one-bedroom apartment have spiked by an average of 136%, soaring from €1,530 to over €3,400. The most extreme inflation is in the Tortona district (+168%), with luxury spots in Brera and the "5 Vie" area peaking at €5,460 per week. To escape the madness, many visitors are moving to the outskirts, though even towns like Sesto San Giovanni have seen a 172% price jump for the occasion. But I guess if you want to make some money on the side, getting out of the city and subletting your space could be a viable option. 

Thanks for reading that far! Share it with a friend if you found it useful. Give us feedback if you didn’t. Hope to see you around in one of the events 🫶🏼

Irina and The FoundIt Milan Team