Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics: visiting Northern Italy with kids
The Winter Olympics with kids can be a once-in-a-lifetime memory, and Milano Cortina 2026 brings them to the cities and mountains of Northern Italy. The Games run from 6 to 22 February, so we are right in the middle of them. Here is what is on, which places suit families, and how to enjoy the atmosphere without stress, with or without tickets.
What's on: dates, places and prices
Milano Cortina 2026 is spread over several regions, so you can choose between a city experience in Milan and a mountain experience in the Dolomites or Valtellina. The Milano Cortina 2026 website has the full schedule and ticket information.
| Area | Sports | Family experience | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | figure skating, ice hockey, speed skating | city atmosphere, museums | mid-range to premium |
| Cortina d'Ampezzo | women's alpine skiing, sliding, curling | Dolomites scenery | premium |
| Bormio | men's alpine skiing | mountain town, thermal baths | mid-range |
| Livigno | snowboard, freestyle | young, lively resort | mid-range |
| Val di Fiemme | ski jumping, cross-country | Nordic events | budget to mid-range |
| Verona | closing ceremony on 22 February | Roman arena, old town | premium |
Price level for a family day including event tickets: budget = under about €100, mid-range = about €100–250, premium = over €250. Approximate; check official ticket prices.
See family attractions in Milan on the Kid.ooo map
What's in it for kids by age
Young children love the flags, mascots and snow, while older kids enjoy seeing real athletes up close.
- Toddlers (1–3): short visits to public areas, snow play and warm cafés.
- Preschoolers (3–6): watching skiers or skaters for a short time, mascot spotting, sledging.
- School kids (6–12): a ticketed event in a sport they love, plus a museum day in Milan.
- Teens: snowboard and freestyle in Livigno, evening ice hockey in Milan.
Winter Olympics with kids: top attractions and events
Combine one Olympic event with family sights in each area.
Milan
YesMilano lists events and live sites around the city. With kids, the Museo Nazionale Scienza e Tecnologia is a great choice, with a submarine, trains and hands-on labs. The Duomo rooftop is a favourite on clear days.
Cortina, Bormio, Livigno and Val di Fiemme
Cortina d'Ampezzo hosted the Winter Olympics once before, in 1956, and its Dolomite peaks are breathtaking. Bormio has historic thermal baths, perfect after a cold day. Livigno is a high-altitude resort with a lively snowpark scene. In Val di Fiemme, kids can see the ski jumps at Predazzo and cross-country tracks in a quieter valley.
Verona
The closing ceremony takes place in the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheatre. Even without tickets, Verona's old town and its festive atmosphere are worth a visit.
Practical: parking, prams and baby change
Use trains and Olympic shuttle buses; private cars face restrictions and closed roads near the venues.
- Transport: check the special traffic rules and shuttle services before you travel.
- Prams: venues have security checks and strict bag rules; a carrier is easier in snow.
- Baby change: in venues, museums and larger cafés.
- Cold: mountain venues can be very cold; dress kids in ski clothes and boots.
- Time: allow extra time for security and long walks to the stands.
Where to eat nearby
Northern Italian food is perfect for kids in winter: polenta, pizza, pasta, risotto and hot chocolate. In the mountains, try pizzoccheri in Valtellina or canederli dumplings in Trentino. In Milan, a slice of pizza or a panzerotto is an easy lunch. Find kid-friendly restaurants on the Kid.ooo map.
Alternatives if it's busy
If host towns are too busy or expensive, stay in a nearby valley and visit for a day, or ski in a resort that is not hosting events. For more ski ideas, see our guides to family ski resorts in Europe and budget family skiing. Our Paris 2024 Olympics guide has more tips on big events with kids.
For family travel guides across Europe, take a look at @wanderingwagars on Instagram.
More attractions on the Kid.ooo map
Kid.ooo is a free kid-friendly places map where parents share attractions, playgrounds and cafés across Europe. Look up things to do with kids in Milan, Cortina or Verona and save a warm café and a museum for the days between events.
Find kids attractions in Verona on the Kid.ooo map
Missing a place you loved? Add it to Kid.ooo and help the next family visiting Northern Italy.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics?
The Olympic Winter Games run from 6 to 22 February 2026, with the closing ceremony in the Arena di Verona. The Paralympic Winter Games follow in March.
Where are the Milano Cortina 2026 events held?
Events are spread across Northern Italy: ice sports in Milan, alpine skiing and sliding sports around Cortina d'Ampezzo and Bormio, snowboard and freestyle in Livigno, and Nordic events in Val di Fiemme and biathlon in Antholz/Anterselva.
Can families watch the Winter Olympics without tickets?
Yes. Host towns have public screens and festive areas, and you can enjoy the Olympic atmosphere, decorations and mountain scenery without a ticket. Some outdoor events can be seen from public areas along the course.
Is it a good idea to ski in the host resorts during the Olympics?
It is possible, but parts of the slopes and roads are closed for the Games, and accommodation is expensive. Families who mainly want to ski may prefer a nearby resort that is not hosting events.
Find family places near you
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