HIDDEN WATERS: THE SPRINGS OF THE PELUCCA IRRIGATION CANAL
9:30 a.m. Via Grazia Deledda Villasanta Parking Lot Tours and Itineraries
The Roggia Pelucca water sources, located within the Golf Club Milano, will be open to the public on a special occasion as part of a tour to discover one of the lesser-known corners of Monza Park. Following the course of the irrigation canal, participants—led by art historian and tour guide Elisabetta Cagnolaro – will be able to observe up close an environment of particular naturalistic interest and explore the connection between water and the park’s history. The tour will also provide an opportunity to learn about the Golf Club Milano area and its first clubhouse, housed in the building that once served as a pheasantry. This is a chance to visit places that are not normally open to the public and to discover little-known aspects of this extraordinary historical and scenic complex.
Departure from the parking lot on Via Grazia Deledda in Villasanta.
A CLIMATE STRATEGY FOR THE MONZA, BELLUSCO, AND VALLE LAMBRO PARK REGION
10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Villa Mirabello Exhibitions
Permanent exhibition of the initiatives and projects of Monza and Co. Green and Blue Transition and information booth.
I PLAY FAIR WITH IL TARLO
10:00 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
Il Tarlo is participating in the Monza Park Festival with its traveling playroom as part of the #IOGIOCOPULITO project: thegoal is to promote “healthy” play as a tool for inclusion and the prevention of gambling addiction. The Ciclotornio and various types of wooden toys will be on hand.
CASCINA CERNUSCHI, MOUNTED CARABINIERI STATION
10:00 a.m. Cascina Cernuschi Tours and Itineraries
The history of Cascina Cernuschi, home to the Carabinieri Mounted Unit, its facilities, and functions. In the tack room, you can admire the saddles and harnesses used in daily operations and for parades. The tour will conclude in the stables, where you can also admire the black horses, each with its own identification number and customized diet—animals "seasoned" animals accustomed to patrolling a city park with countless sources of noise and distraction. We’ll learn about the history of the mounted Carabinieri, their operational role, and their ceremonial duties at institutional events—occasions when thehorse’s attire—like that of the soldier in full dress uniform—is adapted with special, high-quality ornaments.
LET’S RECYCLE PLASTIC WITH PRECIOUS PLASTIC MACHINES. WORKSHOP
10:00 a.m. Cascina Mulini Asciutti Workshops
Opening event for the Archeoplastica exhibition featuring a collective plastic recycling workshop, using machines from Precious Plastic. Participants will discover how plastic can be recycled, and at the end of the workshop, they will have created a large installation that will remain on display for the entire duration of the exhibition.
Archeoplastica exhibition hours (free admission):
Saturday, the 20th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;
Saturday, the 26th, and Sunday, the 27th, 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
ARCHEOPLASTICA - THE JOURNEY OF PLASTIC YOU DON’T EXPECT. EXHIBITION OPENING
10:00 a.m. Cascina Mulini Asciutti Exhibitions
The exhibition features 30 artifacts washed ashore along the Italian coast, dated and accompanied by informational cards and product advertisements from that era. Among the objects on display are both common and iconic items, such as a soccer ball from the 1990 World Cup in Italy, carried by rivers—such as the Lambro and the Po—all the way to the Mediterranean Sea and altered by time and natural forces. These objects not only tell fragments of our history; they also bear witness to the real impact of plastic on the planet, highlighting the problems that arise when these materials become waste. Informational panels complement the exhibition and guide visitors through the life cycle of plastic, illustrating its origin, the unique characteristics of this material, and the main pathways of dispersion in urban, riverine, and marine environments that transform often beautiful, designer objects and packaging into waste.
Visiting hours; free admission:
Saturday, the 20th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;
Saturday, the 26th, and Sunday, the 2nd7, 10:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
SOLAR COOKERS AND OVENS EXHIBITION
10:00 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Events
TheItalian Solar Cooking Association presents several solar ovens and cookers to explain the technical and scientific concepts underlying the conversion of solar energy into thermal energy, and to promote knowledge, the study, and the use of solar ovens and dryers, both for domestic use and in professional catering. The aim is to share technical construction experiences and the best recipes among members and to promote the concept of self-construction with the goal of reducing environmental impact and foster the circular economy.
PAESAGGI D'ACQUA
10:00 a.m. Cascina Mulini Asciutti Exhibitions
Opening of the photographic installation: the water flows slowly, raging, it transforms, it carries along, it accompanies, it rests.
Visiting hours, free admission:
Saturday, the 20th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.;
Saturday, the 26th, and Sunday, the 27th, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
JUGGLING WORKSHOP
10:00 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
Discover the world of juggling and the social circus: a workshop, led by Daniel Romila, Irina Muresan, and Isabella Ninotta, open to all ages for fun, learning balance, developing coordination, and playing together. No experience required—just a willingness to give it a try!
CREATIVE WORKSHOP: "WALKING" WATER
10:30 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
An activity centered on experimentation, led by artist Agata Beretta, for a dynamic and engaging experience. After observing and illustrating nature through its seasonal changes—colors, temperatures, the awakening of animals—the children will draw and color a flower, leaving everything around it white. Once finished, they will fold the petals as if it were winter and place the flower on the water. Before this phase, it’s important to introduce what they’ll be observing: the capillarity of water—that is, the way in whichwater “walks,” expands, takes up space, and brings life. The experiment combines creativity, scientific observation, and wonder, transforming a simple gesture into a concrete and immediate discovery.
CASCINA CERNUSCHI, PERMANENT POST OF THE MOUNTED CARABINIERI
10:30 a.m. Cascina Cernuschi Tours and Itineraries
The history of Cascina Cernuschi, home to the Carabinieri Mounted Unit, its facilities, and functions. In the tack room, you can admire the saddles and harnesses used in daily operations and for parades. The tour concludes in the stables, where you can also admire the black horses, each with its own identification number and customized diet, "experienced"experienced” animals accustomed to patrolling a city park with countless sources of noise and distraction. We’ll learn about the history of the mounted Carabinieri, their operational role, and their ceremonial duties at institutional events—occasions when the horse’s attire, like that of the officer in full dress uniform, is is adapted with special, exquisite ornaments.
CREATE YOUR OWN MAGICAL CREATURE
10:30 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
Workshopworkshop led by an expert in Environmental Education and Creativity, through the exploration of natural materials: each participant will be able to create a fantastical animal to populate the park.
FROM THE PARK TO THE ORCHESTRA
10:30 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
An adventure in the park in search of natural materials to transform into creative musical instruments. After the treasure hunt, participants will build their own musical instrument and, together, put on a small outdoor performance.
WIND IN YOUR FACE: A CYCLING EXPERIENCE FOR A CULTURE OF COEXISTENCE AMID DIFFERENCES
10:30 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Tours and Routes
Together with the staff of the Vento in faccia Project, you’ll be able to try out the “special” bikes from the fleet, which will be available free of charge during the Monza Park Festival: a fleet of special bikes for riding together, without barriers.
THE GREEN SECRETS OF MIRABELLO: BOTANICAL WALK AND CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
10:30 a.m. Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
The project invites young visitors to become explorers for a day through a botanical walk, designed to accommodate both school groups of about twenty children at a time and families eager to share an outdoor experience. Guided by an external expert, who will lead the entire group, and supportedby the enthusiasm and expertise of the students in the Agricultural Studies program at the “Achille Mapelli” Agricultural Program, participants will stroll along Viale Mirabello to discover the marvelous natural world of Monza Park, learning to identify the majestic trees that inhabit it and uncover their secrets. The tour, lasting between an hour and a half and two hours, will conclude near Villa Mirabello with a hands-on workshop. In this final phase, the young botanists will be able to put their skills to the test by handling natural elements and working directly with the plants alongside the expert and under the careful guidance of the students from the agriculture program, wrapping up the experience with a creative activity that will leave them with a tangible memento of the day spent exploring the park’s biodiversity.
STORYTIME: THE GRUFFALO
11:00 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
Animated reading of *The Gruffalo*, for children ages 4 to 8, narrated and brought to life by participants from the Città Autentiche Socio-Educational Center, organized by Cooperativa Lambro. Following the reading, a short creative workshop where children can make their favorite character using sensory materials.
FANTASTIC BOTANY, WITH GABRIELLA PIROLA
11:00 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
What can grow from a golden seed? What will the wild plant that grows from our thoughts look like? Let’s help our little seed sprout with water, sugar, and salt. A perfect recipe for a spell. Creative workshop led by Gabriella Pirola, for children ages 6 to 10.
WHO'S IN THE MEADOW? LITTLE CREATURES AND LOTS OF PICTURE BOOKS FOR LITTLE ONES
11:00 a.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
Expressive reading for children ages 2 to 5, accompanied by an adult. Organized by the librarians and volunteers of the “Nati per Leggere” project by Brianzabiblioteche.
A CLIMATE STRATEGY FOR THE CITY OF MONZA. CITIZENSHIP WORKSHOP
11:00 a.m. Villa Mirabello Workshops
A workshop where citizens are invited to imagine a city capable of tackling climate change.
CREATIVE WORKSHOP: WATER "WALKS"
12:00 PM Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
An activity focused on experimentation, led byartist Agata Beretta, for a dynamic and engaging experience. After observing and illustrating nature’s seasonal changes—colors, temperatures, the awakening of animals—the children will draw and color a flower, leaving everything around it white. Once finished, they will fold the petals as if it were winter and place the flower on the water. Before this step, it’s important to introduce what they’ll be observing: the capillarity of water—that is, the way water “walks,” expands, takes up space, and brings life. The experiment combines creativity, scientific observation, and wonder, transforming a simple gesture into a concrete and immediate discovery.
CREATIVE WORKSHOP: "WATER WALKS"
12:30 p.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Houses
An activity focused on experimentation, led byartist Agata Beretta, for a dynamic and engaging experience. After observing and illustrating nature’s seasonal changes—colors, temperatures, the awakening of animals—the children will draw and color a flower, leaving everything around it white. Once finished, they will fold the petals as if it were winter and place the flower on the water. Before this step, it is important to introduce what they will be observing: the capillary action of water—that is, the way water “walks,” expands, takes up space, and brings life. The experiment combines creativity, scientific observation, and wonder, transforming a simple gesture into a concrete and immediate discovery.
LET’S SING THE FILARPSTROCCHE!
2:00 p.m. Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
Interactive music workshop for children ages 3 to 6 led by Caterina Sangineto (with one parent participating for the youngest children). Through nursery rhymes, rhyming songs, and rhythmic games, children will be guided to discover their own voices and the joy of making music together. The activities, tailored to the age and number of participants, will stimulate listening, memorization, the perception of rhymes and assonances, and creative play with words, sounds, and rhythm. Accompanying this journey will be the Celtic harp, an instrument linked to the imagery of the forest, fairy tales, and imagination, capable of evoking soundscapes and naturally fostering the creativity of young children.
FANTASTIC BOTANY, WITH GABRIELLA PIROLA&
2:00 PM Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
What can grow from a golden seed? What will the wild plant born from our thoughts look like? Let’s help our little seed sprout with water, sugar, and salt. A perfect recipe for a spell. Creative workshop led by Gabriella Pirola, for children ages 6 to 10.
NAUTILUS | CHORUS OF MINIATURE THEATERS
2:30 p.m. Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
Miniature micro-theaters for an intimate journey through shadows, lights, and stories woven through time for just one spectator at a time; curated by the Lambe Lambe Italia Collective. The Lambe Lambe theater technique originated in Brazil and is characterized by theatrical performances featuring small marionettes, objects, images, and shadows, accompanied by music or narration heard through headphones, inside a box that can come in various sizes and shapes.
UNPREDICTABLE MAPS
2:30 p.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Houses
Treasure hunt organized by the Schiene Pelose art collective: an activity to be done in the neighborhood, in the park, or in a public garden—non-competitive and designed to be arranged like a map using the frottage technique, which involves placing a sheet of paper over a surface with more or less pronounced relief. By rubbing the paper with a soft pencil, the reliefs of the underlying surface will appear, resulting in often unpredictable drawings, textures, or chiaroscuro patterns. Participants will be encouraged to explore the area with an exploration guide kit; this can be done in groups or individually, bringing together people of all ages.
Activity for teens ages 14 and up and adults.
INCLUSIVE ORIENTEERING
2:30 PM Villa Reale Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
A reimagining of the classic orienteering course in the Gardens of the Villa Reale in Monza Park, designed for all ages and ability levels. By engaging all five senses, participants will learn about the nature around them and its characteristics while exploring the park.
ROLL THE DICE AND MOVE THE PIECES—COME PLAY WITH US!
3:00 PM Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
Booth with board games for children and families, organized by Brianzabiblioteche.
CARTASTORIE: TUKONI
3:00 PM Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
Animated reading of *Tukoni*, for children ages 4 to 8, narrated and animated by participants at the Città Autentiche Socio-Educational Center, organized by Cooperativa Lambro. An interactive storyduring which the audience helps the storytellers create a blanket to protect and heal the trees in the forest.
ELISA’S WORKSHOP
3:00 p.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
We’ll get an up-close look at little Elisa’s art: using markers and pens, she creates absolute masterpieces. An activity for everyone to enjoy together, to discover the therapeutic power of creativity.
WATCH OUT FOR THE TOY THIEF
3:30 p.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
An animated storytime for children ages 4 to 9, followed by a themed arts-and-crafts workshop. A thief is on the prowl, stealing children’s ability to play using their imagination and without technology, but the Game-Saving Squad will solve the problem, and everyone will be able to try out lots of fun games.
Activities by Valle del Lambro Regional Park.
LET’S MAKE MAGIC BOTTLES. WITH ARTIST AGATA BERETTA
3:30 PM Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
Creating sensory bottles using recycled materials. They’ll win everyone over!
Workshop led by artist and set designer Agata Beretta and Giulia Moioli, a young up-and-coming artist.
FROM THE PARK TO THE ORCHESTRA
3:30 p.m. Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
An adventure in the park in search of natural materials to transform into creative musical instruments. After the treasure hunt, participants will build their own musical instrument and together put on a small outdoor performance.
CASCINA CERNUSCHI, MOUNTED CARABINIERI STATION
4:00 p.m. Cascina Cernuschi Tours and Trails
The history of Cascina Cernuschi, home to the Carabinieri Mounted Unit, its facilities, and functions. In the tack room, you can admire the saddles and harnesses used inroutine duties and parades. The tour will conclude in the stables, where you can also admire the black horses, each with its own identification number and customized diet—animals "experienced" animals accustomed to patrolling a city park with countless sources of noise and distraction. We’ll learn about the history of the mounted Carabinieri, their operational role, and their ceremonial duties at institutional events—occasions when thehorse’s attire—like that of the officer in full dress uniform—is adapted with special, exquisite ornaments.
THE FOREST ON THE MOVE, WITH MARTINA FOLENA
4:00 PM Agorà Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Open Villas
Animated Reading led by Martina Folena - La Cantastorie, for children ages 4 to 8 and families, based on *Quando la foresta camminò (by Folena-Leoni, Sabir Edizioni) and other picture books.
CASCINA CERNUSCHI, PERMANENT STATION OF THE MOUNTED CARABINIERI
4:30 p.m. Cascina Cernuschi Tours and Trails
The history of Cascina Cernuschi, home to the Carabinieri Mounted Unit, its facilities, and functions. In the tack room, you can admire the saddles and harnesses used inroutine duties and parades. The tour will conclude in the stables, where you can also admire the black horses, each with its own identification number and customized diet, “seasoned” animals accustomed to patrolling a city park with countless sources of noise and distraction. We’ll learn about the history of the mounted Carabinieri, their operational role, and their ceremonial duties during institutional events—occasions when the horse’s attire, like that of the officer in full dress uniform, is enhanced with special and exquisite ornaments.
BEETHOVEN’S PASTORAL SYMPHONY, PERFORMED BY THE CANOVA ORCHESTRA
5:00 PM Gardens of the Villa Reale Shows and Concerts
Composed between 1807 and 1808, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral” transforms the image of nature into an inner experience: not merely a landscape painting, as the composer himself clarified, but “more an expression of feeling than a painting.” Across its five movements, the music accompanies the arrival in the countryside, the flow of the stream, the peasants’ dance, theoutbreak of a storm, and finally a song of gratitude and goodwill. Through references to folk traditions, birdsong, and a formal innovation of extraordinary modernity, Beethoven crafts a journey from serenity to bewilderment and back to light, entrusting the orchestra with a nature that is alive, ever-changing, and deeply human.
Produced thanks to the generous support of Gruppo Acinque.
CATERINA SANGINETO IN CONCERT: THE BAND "AR AN TALAMH" AND IRISH FOLK
5:30 PM Villa Mirabello Junior Fest, Ville Aperte
The group "Ar an Talamh"—led by Caterina Sangineto—whose name in Irish Gaelic means "On Earth," takes the audience on an evocative musical journey through the lands of Ireland and Scotland, recounting stories and traditions preserved in the melodies of these places: evocative ballads and rousing dances alternate in a repertoire that weaves together traditional pieces and original compositions. The Celtic harp, fiddle, uilleann pipes, guitar, and vocals bring to life a musical journey rich in nuance, blending contemplative atmospheres, poetic flourishes, and engaging rhythms.
