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The Most Stunning Photos From The Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony

The 2026 Winter Olympics officially started with a colorful display in Italy.

WestNet News wire Source: HuffPost
The Most Stunning Photos From The Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony

The 2026 Winter Olympics have begun.

The Milan Cortina Games’ opening ceremony kicked off Friday night in Milan’s San Siro stadium, with simultaneous ceremonies in three other locations: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Livigno and Predazzo. Dual cauldrons will be lit with the Olympic flame in Milan and Cortina.

Andrea Bocelli, Mariah Carey and others performed, and an estimated 1,200 volunteer performers will help officially usher in the Games.

Follow along with HuffPost’s live coverage here, and check out photos from the 2026 Olympic opening ceremony below:

A general view as dancers from the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala perform during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 in Milan, Italy.
A general view as dancers from the Accademia del Teatro alla Scala perform during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 in Milan, Italy.
Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images
Cupid (Claudio Coviello) & Psyche (Antonella Albano) perform a tribute to Italian beauty during the opening ceremony.
Cupid (Claudio Coviello) & Psyche (Antonella Albano) perform a tribute to Italian beauty during the opening ceremony.
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
Image Photo Agency via Getty Images
Dancers surround Coviello and Albano.
Dancers surround Coviello and Albano.
Matthias Hangst via Getty Images
Actors dressed as the great masters of Italian Opera, Giuseppe Verdei, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini.
Actors dressed as the great masters of Italian Opera, Giuseppe Verdei, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini.
DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Italian actress Matilda De Angelis performs.
Italian actress Matilda De Angelis performs.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV via Getty Images
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.
GABRIEL BOUYS via Getty Images
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian design perform.
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian design perform.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos via Getty Images
Three large paint tubes spill onto the stage.
Three large paint tubes spill onto the stage.
ANTONIN THUILLIER via Getty Images
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian cuisine perform.
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian cuisine perform.
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
Matilda De Angelis performs during the opening ceremony.
Matilda De Angelis performs during the opening ceremony.
Maja Hitij via Getty Images
Maja Hitij via Getty Images
David Davies - PA Images via Getty Images
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony.
Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony.
Matthias Hangst via Getty Images
Mariah Carey.
Mariah Carey.
Elsa via Getty Images
Actors dressed as a symbol of the 16th Century and the Renaissance perform.
Actors dressed as a symbol of the 16th Century and the Renaissance perform.
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian fashion perform.
Actors dressed as a symbol of Italian fashion perform.
Elsa via Getty Images
Performers dressed in colours of the Italian flag walk in lines.
Performers dressed in colours of the Italian flag walk in lines.
GABRIEL BOUYS via Getty Images
Models walk the runway wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani.
Models walk the runway wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani.
ANTONIN THUILLIER via Getty Images
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti carries the folded Italian flag.
Italian model Vittoria Ceretti carries the folded Italian flag.
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Laura Pausini performs the national anthem.
Laura Pausini performs the national anthem.
Maja Hitij via Getty Images
Laura Pausini performs the national anthem as the flag of Italy waves during the opening ceremony.
Laura Pausini performs the national anthem as the flag of Italy waves during the opening ceremony.
Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images
Members of the Carabinieri Corps raise the flag of Italy.
Members of the Carabinieri Corps raise the flag of Italy.
Julian Finney via Getty Images
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 06: Members of the Corazzieri raise the flag of Italy during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 06: Members of the Corazzieri raise the flag of Italy during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at San Siro Stadium on February 06, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa via Getty Images
Italian actor and film producer Pierfrancesco Favino.
Italian actor and film producer Pierfrancesco Favino.
GABRIEL BOUYS via Getty Images
A mountain choir performs the national anthem during the opening ceremony at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
A mountain choir performs the national anthem during the opening ceremony at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Mattia Ozbot via Getty Images
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony.
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Dancers on opposite rings perform.
Dancers on opposite rings perform.
GABRIEL BOUYS via Getty Images
Rings start to form the Olympic symbol.
Rings start to form the Olympic symbol.
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Two aerial actors perform next to the rings representing the city and mountain during the opening ceremony.
Two aerial actors perform next to the rings representing the city and mountain during the opening ceremony.
Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images
The Olympic rings come together as a fireworks display is seen during the opening ceremony.
The Olympic rings come together as a fireworks display is seen during the opening ceremony.
Matthias Hangst via Getty Images
Rings form the Olympic emblem during the opening ceremony.
Rings form the Olympic emblem during the opening ceremony.
ANTONIN THUILLIER via Getty Images
A person holds the sign "Greece" during the parade of athletes.
A person holds the sign "Greece" during the parade of athletes.
via Associated Press
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, center, walks during the parade of athletes.
Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, center, walks during the parade of athletes.
via Associated Press
Belgium's flag bearer Hanne Desmet parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony.
Belgium's flag bearer Hanne Desmet parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony.
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Canadian athletes parade.
Canadian athletes parade.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ via Getty Images
Czech Republic athletes take a selfie during the opening ceremony.
Czech Republic athletes take a selfie during the opening ceremony.
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Athletes of Team Australia during the parade of athletes at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Athletes of Team Australia during the parade of athletes at Piazza Dibona in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Ezra Shaw via Getty Images
China arrives during the Olympic opening ceremony in Milan.
China arrives during the Olympic opening ceremony in Milan.
via Associated Press
Nathan Tchibozo, flag bearer of Benin, walks with athletes during the Olympic opening ceremony in Livigno, Italy.
Nathan Tchibozo, flag bearer of Benin, walks with athletes during the Olympic opening ceremony in Livigno, Italy.
via Associated Press
Latvia's flag bearer Dzenifera Germane (right) parades with members of the delegation in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Latvia's flag bearer Dzenifera Germane (right) parades with members of the delegation in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images
Flag bearer Lilah Fear of Team Great Britain leads the team in the Milan parade.
Flag bearer Lilah Fear of Team Great Britain leads the team in the Milan parade.
Elsa via Getty Images
Japan athletes take part in the athletes parade in Predazzo.
Japan athletes take part in the athletes parade in Predazzo.
via Associated Press
Stevenson Savart, the flag bearer of Haiti, takes part in the athletes parade in Predazzo.
Stevenson Savart, the flag bearer of Haiti, takes part in the athletes parade in Predazzo.
via Associated Press
Team Germany enters the stadium in Milan.
Team Germany enters the stadium in Milan.
via Associated Press
Athletes from Finland walk during the opening ceremony.
Athletes from Finland walk during the opening ceremony.
via Associated Press
Jamaica's flag bearer Mica Moore (right) parades with members of the delegation in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Jamaica's flag bearer Mica Moore (right) parades with members of the delegation in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
FRANCK FIFE via Getty Images
Flag bearer Andrea Elie Antoine El Hayek of Team Lebanon enters with the his team mate in Predazzo.
Flag bearer Andrea Elie Antoine El Hayek of Team Lebanon enters with the his team mate in Predazzo.
Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
Members of Mongoloia's delegation including Achbadrakh Batmunkh (left) and Mongolia's flag bearer Ariuntungalag Enkhbayar.
Members of Mongoloia's delegation including Achbadrakh Batmunkh (left) and Mongolia's flag bearer Ariuntungalag Enkhbayar.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ via Getty Images
Sweden's Hanna Aronsson Elfman (center) parades with members of her country's delegation in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Sweden's Hanna Aronsson Elfman (center) parades with members of her country's delegation in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
MARCO BERTORELLO via Getty Images
Flag bearer Donovan Carrillo of Team Mexico leads the team in the parade.
Flag bearer Donovan Carrillo of Team Mexico leads the team in the parade.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos via Getty Images
USA's flag bearer Erin Jackson parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony in Milan.
USA's flag bearer Erin Jackson parades with other athletes during the opening ceremony in Milan.
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Ben Barclay, flag bearers for New Zealand, enter during the opening ceremony in Livigno.
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott and Ben Barclay, flag bearers for New Zealand, enter during the opening ceremony in Livigno.
via Associated Press
Athletes of Team Republic of Korea walk in the parade in Livigno.
Athletes of Team Republic of Korea walk in the parade in Livigno.
David Ramos via Getty Images
Flag bearer Frankie del Duca of Team United States enters the athlete parade in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Flag bearer Frankie del Duca of Team United States enters the athlete parade in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Ezra Shaw via Getty Images
Team Germany athletes parade in Cortina.
Team Germany athletes parade in Cortina.
picture alliance via Getty Images
Athletes of Team Italy walk in Milan.
Athletes of Team Italy walk in Milan.
Elsa via Getty Images
Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore performs with others during the opening ceremony.
Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore performs with others during the opening ceremony.
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
PIERO CRUCIATTI via Getty Images
Sabrina Impacciatore performs with fellow dancers.
Sabrina Impacciatore performs with fellow dancers.
Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images
Elsa via Getty Images
The flags of the participating nations are seen around the central podium during the opening ceremony.
The flags of the participating nations are seen around the central podium during the opening ceremony.
Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images
A torch bearer carries the Olympic torch for a symbolic relay during the opening ceremony.
A torch bearer carries the Olympic torch for a symbolic relay during the opening ceremony.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV via Getty Images
Charlize Theron, UN Peace Ambassador, delivers a speech inspired by Nelson Mandela.
Charlize Theron, UN Peace Ambassador, delivers a speech inspired by Nelson Mandela.
Matthias Hangst via Getty Images
Ghali performs "Promemoria (Memorandum)" by Gianni Rodari.
Ghali performs "Promemoria (Memorandum)" by Gianni Rodari.
Sarah Stier via Getty Images
Ghali performs with dancers in the opening ceremony.
Ghali performs with dancers in the opening ceremony.
Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images
Singer Andrea Bocelli performs as the Olympic torch is carried.
Singer Andrea Bocelli performs as the Olympic torch is carried.
via Associated Press
Torch bearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba look on after lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Arco della Pace in Milan.
Torch bearers Deborah Compagnoni and Alberto Tomba look on after lighting the Olympic cauldron at the Arco della Pace in Milan.
Lars Baron via Getty Images
A view of the lit Olympic cauldron after the opening ceremony.
A view of the lit Olympic cauldron after the opening ceremony.
Lars Baron via Getty Images
Final torch bearer Italian skier Sofia Goggia holds the torch of the Olympic flame next to the Olympic cauldron at Piazza Angelo Dibona with the Basilica dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in the background in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Final torch bearer Italian skier Sofia Goggia holds the torch of the Olympic flame next to the Olympic cauldron at Piazza Angelo Dibona with the Basilica dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo in the background in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
STEFANO RELLANDINI via Getty Images