May in Parma

Our selection for May:

1st May "Vieni a giocare con noi" a Sala Baganza, a full day dedicated to kids, free activities and games in the castle park and in the city streets that will be closed to traffic on this occasion. Possibility to picnic on site.

5-6 May De Gustibus

Workshop at the Archeological Museum on 6 May.

13 and 20 May fattorie aperte: farms open their doors to the public. We recommend cheese farms (early morning...) to see the making of Parmigiano.

9-13 May Festa dell'Europa. A rich programme of events including La Festa dell'Orto Botanico, one full day of activities in the botanical garden on 13 May.

4-10 May Cibus in Città: events for the general public will take place downtown. Visit the website for updates.

Giornata nazionale "Bimbimbici" (national day of "kids on bikes"): visit the website of FIAB-Bicinsieme to know more about specific activities in Parma. Due to bad weather, has been postponed to June 2.

17-20 May: Salone del Cavallo Americano in Reggio Emilia, a fun idea for the weekend.

19 and 20 May: the rescue center for wild animals of Salsomaggiore will exceptionally open its doors to the public. A rare opportunity to approach owls, deers, etc.

19 and 20 May: Festa delle Maschere, a festival dedicated to the traditional art of masks.

19 May Notte dei Musei (museums open till late): Casa della Musica, Museo archeologico (Pilotta), etc.

20 May festa delle Oasi WWF: in the provincia of Parma, it will take place at the Oasi dei Ghirardi, Borgotaro. Guided tours at 10 am and 4:30 pm, live music at 1:30 pm, theater show at 3 pm.

May 27: Casa dei Bimbi is back piazza Garibaldi.

27 May Cantine Aperte, vineyards open their doors... and their cellars. Visit the website for updates.

New activities at Laboratorio Famiglia located strada Quarta: art on Tuesday and Wednesday (ooooh noooo, we want cooking classes for the kiddos back!) and special events (follow link).

Bibliomondo is collecting used (but still usable) toys and books in order to support the library Baia del Re.
For information tel. 3334505309 e-mail bibliomondopr@gmail.com
They can pick up the stuff at your home (please call to arrange appointment).

Visit the "April in Parma" post for ongoing events, as well as our "Tourism", "Kids" and "Nature" pages for suggestions.

Summer camps / schools

If you consider staying part of the summer in Parma, here are a few proposals to keep your children busy while you enjoy the swimming pool (or your air-conditioned flat...).

Different structures offer summer camps or classes. Enrollment will open in May for most of these structures.

Club Mary Poppins offer summer school for kids up to 12. Open 11 June-27 July and then from 20 August, provided 20 kids have been enrolled for each period. Weekly cost from Eur 80 to 130 according to kid's age and number of hours per day.  Enrollment already open.

Leitmotiv language school propose intensive courses of English, French and German. Enrollment already open, deadline 31st May.

The city of Parma has published a guide with summer camps available for kids aged 6-14. Enrollment will start in May for summer camps "in città".

Biblioteca Ilaria Alpi propose activities in English and Spanish for kids aged 8+. Only in the morning, though.

Different didactic farms also offer activities. Google "centro estivo".

The WWF also offer summer camps for kids and teenagers. Usually one week long.

After having booked the kids' activities, visit our 'Me time' page for suggestions of outdoor swimming pools!

Whale watching

If you're looking for an unusual experience, you should consider the whale watching mini-cruises proposed by the acquarium of Genova and the WWF.

Every Saturday, 1 pm-6 pm, in July and August every Tuesday and Saturday.

Cost Eur 42 for adults and Eur 21 for children aged 4-12 including entrance ticket to the acquarium of Genova.

Booking information:  Incoming Liguria, tel. 010/2345.666 or http://www.acquariodigenova.it/   in this section “Prenota e acquista”.

PS: the presence of whales or dolphins is not guaranteed! This is not a show, but a cruise to approach wild and free animals.

Mary Poppins Club

Currently considering opening a class (nursery school/scuola materna) taught entirely in English...you can contact them at info@clubmarypoppins.com if you want to learn more.

Will also offer summer school for kids up to 12. Open all July and August.

Weekly cost from Eur 80 to 130 according to kid's age and number of hours per day.

April in Parma

Check out our Facebook page for updates! And click 'Like' on the page to receive updates on your wall!

Special events:

• Breast cancer awareness raising in Fidenza on April 15: a non competitive walk for ladies and children only.
• Vivicittà in the parco Boschi di Carrega (Sala Baganza) on April 15: a competitive run (12 km) and a non competitive walk (4 km).
• Parma Color Viola until April 22.
• Mercato dei Fiori (flower market)  via Farini on April 22.
• XIV Settimana della Cultura (Culture week): April 14-22. Special initiatives and guided visits of monuments and museums.
• 'Giardini aperti' offers the opportunity to visit private gardens, usually closed to the public. April 22.

Kids:

• April 22 at 10:30 am at the Spezieria di San Giovanni (old pharmacy): guided tour for families. Borgo Pipa.
• Casa dei Bimbi is back piazza Garibaldi on April 22 and May 27.
• Every Friday from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, readings for kids aged 3-10 at Libreria Giunti al Punto via Garibaldi 22/I. Free of charge, no booking necessary.
• Activities at Libri e Formiche, RosaLimone, Atelier del Borgo.
• After school activities for children aged 5-11 at parco Bizzozero run by volunteers of Legambiente (environmentalist non-profit organization). Monday-Friday 2 pm-7 pm.
• EuropaTeatri: the last show of the season.
  Biblioteca di Alice in Parco Ducale organizes workshops. Pick up the programme at the library or click here.
• Aria Aperta is an organization based in Reggio Emilia that offers donkey riding activities for children! The ride of April 25 takes place in Gattatico, only 20 kms far from Parma. The donkeys are particularly quiet and adapted to small children.

• New: Every Thursday until June 14 the Museum of Natural History (via Università 12) is offering laboratories of observation of insects with a microscope.
  Booking is ab-so-lu-tel-ly necessary with one week prior notice: tel 0521.033430 or stefano.bulla@unipr.it (leave a phone number to enable the museum to confirm availability).

Music:

• Festival Internazionale della Chitarra at Teatro Regio and Teatro del Cinghio. Classic guitar festival.
• Casa della Musica: "Cadeau", a series of 6 free concerts on the occasion of the 10th birthday of Casa della Musica, until May 12. Aperitivi until May 20 and Concerti until April 23 with a season dedicated to Claude Debussy.

• Nuove Atmosfere, a series of 13 concerts until May 2012.
• Teatro Regio's concert season: a few tickets are still available!
• Estri Armonici: last show of the season at Teatro al Parco.
• Tutti per uno XL at Auditorium Paganini
• Incontri musicali in Sala Baganza on April 15 and 22.

Art:  

• Fondazione Magnani-Rocca: an exhibition dedicated to Dante's Divine Comedy until July 1st. And of course, the worth-seeing permanent collections and the gorgeous park.
• Opening on April 14 at the Palazzo del Governatore, "Storia d'Italia in mille scatti", the history of Italy in 1000 pictures.
• In Reggio Emilia, an exhibition dedicated to Andy Warhol's Last Supper (inspired by the fresco of Leoanrdo da Vinci) until April 15.

• Mostra Pixar Mantova, a behind-the-scenes exhibition dedicated to studio Pixar, the creators of Toy Story, Monsters & Co, Nemo, etc. An opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Mantua, an hour or so far from Parma.
• In Ferrara, an exhibition dedicated to Joaquin Sorolla located in the palazzo dei Diamanti. Ferrara is also a very beautiful city!

Sagre - Local Festivals

• http://www.monterossofestival.it/index.shtml
  If it doesn't downpour April 22nd, it might be interesting to check out the Monterosso Val d'Arda Wine Festival. Located in and near Castell Arquato - a beautiful village a little more than halfway between Parma & Piacenza (site in English).