From February 6 to 22, 2026, winter sports enthusiasts—fans of skiing, biathlon, luge, curling, ice skating, and bobsleigh—will have their eyes glued to Italy for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. But before the first medals are awarded, viewers will be able to get excited about the spectacular opening ceremony.
Remember when the Summer Olympics in Paris featured performances by Céline Dion, Lady Gaga, Gojira, and Aya Nakamura, Rim' K, and Philippe Katerine? Well, what do the organizers have in store for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina? Several stars have been confirmed, including the legendary American diva Mariah Carey. The singer, famous for hits like "We Belong Together", "When You Believe", and the holiday classic "All I Want for Christmas Is You", will indeed be taking the stage this Friday, February 6, 2026, at San Siro stadium in Milan to kick off the festivities.
As you might expect, Italian stars will also be vying for a spot, starting with the legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli. Widely regarded as one of the most internationally renowned Italian singers and one of the best-selling artists globally, Andrea Bocelli has enjoyed a string of successes, including albums like Romanza and Vivo per lei, the latter with Hélène Ségara. Interestingly, Bocelli previously graced the Turin Winter Olympics closing ceremony back in 2006.
Laura Pausini, the only Italian artist to have received a Grammy Award, will also perform at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. It’s worth noting that the singer, who is scheduled to perform at Paris’s Accor Arena in 2027, rose to fame in her homeland after participating in the 1993 Sanremo Music Festival with her hit song "La Solitudine."
They will be joined by several prominent local figures, including rapper Ghali, acclaimed operatic soprano Cecilia Bartoli, actress and singer Matilda De Angelis, virtuoso violinist Giovanni Andrea Zanon, Italian actor and producer Pierfrancesco Favino, and Sabrina Impacciatore, known for her role in the second season of "The White Lotus".
The Chinese pianist Lang Lang will also be performing. According to Corriere della Sera, American rapper Snoop Dogg is also expected to join the lineup.
