Milan Cortina Winter opening ceremony rehearsals bring volunteers and creative team together

Rehearsals for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony are taking place in a large tent near Milan's San Siro and involve about 1,200 volunteers and trained dancers as preparations continue ahead of the Feb. 6 event.

Inside a large rehearsal tent beside Milan's San Siro stadium, performers are practising the opening number for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Rehearsals began in November and now include about 1,200 volunteers alongside classically trained dancers from La Scala's academy. The creative team, led by Marco Balich and Maria Laura Iascone, says the ceremony's theme is "Harmony." Organizers have announced several performers and plan to stage the ceremony on Feb. 6. Key details: - The rehearsal compound includes a mock stage and a wardrobe area holding about 1,400 costumes, with seamstresses and tailors on hand. - About 1,200 volunteers have been rehearsing since November; rehearsals will increase to roughly nine hours a day in the run-up to the ceremony. - The ceremony theme is "Harmony," and organizers referenced the modern revival of the Olympic Truce as part of the message. - Announced performers include Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli, Cecilia Bartoli, Laura Pausini and Lang Lang. - The 2026 Games will feature two Olympic cauldrons, one in Milan at the Arco della Pace and one in Cortina, about 400 kilometres apart, with parts of the Parade of Athletes beamed in from multiple venues. Summary: Organizers say the production will highlight Italian creativity and balance formal protocol moments with emotional performances. Rehearsals will intensify in the coming weeks ahead of the Feb. 6 opening, which is expected to draw about 60,000 attendees in San Siro and a global television audience.