An Italian saying goes “Aprile dolce dormire” meaning “April sweet sleeping”.
Well, I don’t think so! The month of April is full of interesting events and activities in Bergamo and there is something for all tastes.
Here a little guide to some of the most interesting events that will take place in Bergamo and its province on April. A large variety of festivals, exhibitions and events, you will be spoiled for choice!
Let’s get started!
Festivals and food-wine events – Let’s eat and “buon appetito”!
Festival of Artichokes
When: 30 March – 02 April
Where: Piazzale degli Alpini, NXT station. Book here.
Details: A delicious menu based on artichokes cooked in all ways. If you are a lover of this vegetable, you cannot miss this festival!
Festival of “gnocco fritto”
When: 06-10 April for the entire Easter and Easter Monday weekend
Where: Piazzale degli Alpini, NXT station.
Details: There isn’t a propor English translation for this Emilian dish. The gnocco fritto is loved throughout Italy and beyond, for this reason it deserves a festival! If you’ve never tasted it, this is your chance to do so.
Admission is free, but I recommend booking here.
Hours: Thursday: 19:00 – 24:00
Friday: 19:00 – 24:00
Saturday: 19:00 – 24:00
Sunday: 12.00 – 15.00 and 19.00 – 24.00
Monday: 12.00 – 15.00 / 19.00 – 24.00
GIN fair
When: 21-25 April
Where: Piazzale degli Alpini, NXT station
Details: An event dedicated to all GIN lovers. The only event in Bergamo with lots of GIN from all over the world!
Admission is free, but I suggest you book here.
Hours: Friday: 19:00 – 24:00
Saturday: 19:00 – 24:00
Sunday: 19:00 – 24:00
Monday: 19:00 – 24:00
Tuesday: 19:00 – 24:00
Sunday lunch “Family Sunday”
When: every Sunday
Where: Daste Bistrò
Details: Every Sunday the Daste Bistrò welcomes families with a special offer and a family-friendly menu. But not only! To cheer up the day there is “Lo schermo bianco” with theatrical and cinematic performances dedicated to the little ones or magnificent creative workshops.
Don’t miss the one on April 23 dedicated to the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
For info, click here.
Cheese Festival
When: 28 April
Where: Bossico (Bg), Lake Iseo
Details: Bergamo cheeses are one of the best Lombard specialities. Thanks to this festival, you will be able to taste all kinds of them and buy them directly from the producers. You will be able to stroll among farms, visit the stables and eat bread and cheese in the various refreshment points, only “km0” products. All surrounded by the beauty of the landscapes of Lake Iseo. Don’t miss it!
For info, click here.
Art Exhibitions not to be missed!
Cecco del Caravaggio exhibition
When: the entire month of April
Where: Carrara Academy, Piazza Giacomo Carrara, 82, Bergamo
Details: visit the Cecco del Caravaggio exhibition at the recently renovated Accademia Carrara in Bergamo. This is the first exhibition ever dedicated in Italy and in the world to Cecco del Caravaggio (Francesco Boeri, circa 1585- post 1620), the painter of Bergamo origin who was a pupil and model of Merisi in at least six paintings.
Info and tickets here.
Show “A leap into the Void”
When: the entire month of April
Where: GAMeC (Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art), Via San Tomaso, 53, Bergamo
Details: this is the third and final exhibition of the “Art beyond Matter” cycle, A leap into the Void will explore the theme of dematerialization, connecting the research of historical avant-garde artists even before computerization and continued in the post-digital age through the use of new languages and simulated realities. Among the exhibited works there will be those of: Pablo Picasso and René Magritte, Rebecca Allen and Cory Arcangel.
For info and tickets click here.
Me, Medea
When: all April until June 4th-
Where: Bergamo Alta, Pio della Pietà Istituto Bartolomeo Colleoni in Via Bartolomeo Colleoni, 11 and Cappella Colleoni in Piazza Duomo.
For more info click here.
Details: Exhibition dedicated to the favorite daughter of Bartolomeo Colleoni, one of the greatest leaders of the Renaissance for 20 years captain general of the Venetian army. Art and history intertwine in this family tragedy. Bartolomeo Colleoni hires the sculptor Giovanni Antonio Amadeo who created the funeral monument of the little girl, giving Bergamo “the most beautiful of the effigies that rest in Lombardy”.
Cappella Colleoni, Piazza Duomo: For the first time there is the opportunity to “climb” the funeral monument of Medea to admire the splendid statue of the resting girl from close up.
Pio della Pietà Colleoni, via Colleoni, 11: from the short time of life to the eternal time of the myth: painting, poetry, fashion, affections and matrimonial strategies for a narrative of the fifteenth century also for women
Guided tours and events in Bergamo and its province
Guided visits to the Monastero del Carmine
When: the entire month of April – 31 December
Where: Monastero del Carmine, via Colleoni 21, Bergamo Alta (Upper Bergamo)
Details: discover the marvelous MOnastero del Carmine thanks to the free visits organized by the TTB (Bergamo pocket theatre) and the University of Bergamo. An excellent way to get to know this architectural jewel rich in history and with a whole new vitality.
For info click here.
Discovering the wonders of Bergamo with Doctors Without Borders
When: 22 April, 3.30pm
Where: Lazzaretto- via del Lazzaretto, Bergamo
Price: Recommended minimum donation 15 euros.
Reservation required within the 8th of April.
Info and bookings here.
Details: On the occasion of Bergamo and Brescia Italian capital of culture 2023, the MSF (Medici senza frontiere) group of Bergamo organizes a cultural walk, from the Lazzaretto to the Upper Town (about 2km), accompanied by the tourist guides Laderouge Michela Del Rosso and Alessandro Giorgi from Bergamo dalla Terrazza. A splendid opportunity to visit and get to know Bergamo in a supportive way.
Tulip 2023
When: 01-22 April
Where: Terno d’Isola, Via Roma, 61
Details: a day surrounded by colorful tulips, with the possibility of participating in workshops, breakfasts, pic-nic, photo shoots and much more!
For info and costs click here.
These are what I consider to be the most interesting events for the month of April, but stay tuned because there may be updates during these days.
In the meantime, I hope this mini guide has been useful to you!
See you soon,
Valentina
Coverphoto credits to: esh2chan