The area in front of Expo Gate, the gateway between Milan and the Universal Exposition, is to be dressed up for Christmas with Christmas trees. Until the day of the Epiphany, in the central space between the two buildings housing Spazio Sforza, Spazio Garibaldi and Spazio Leonardo, there will be an expanse of Christmas trees that greets visitors, tourists and the local people of Milan, taking part in events organized at Expo Gate or strolling by Castello Sforzesco to enjoy a view of the city in all its festive decorations. The installation, called #ExpoNatale and designed by Expo Gate in collaboration withGreen Italia Network - the first Italian network of nurseries and gardening companies to be set up, with the patronage of Confagricoltura Lombardia, creating the green areas of Expo Milano 2015 is made up of 18 varieties of picea abies, ranging from six to two meters high.

Expo Gate: the events of the first week

In December, Expo Gate offers the public a full program of events to celebrate together with food, music, games, art and photography.

From December 2 to 4, the Accademia Teatro alla Scala, will take the lead, which will with its four departments in Music, Dance, Stage-Workshops and Management, form new talents. For three days Spazio Sforza at Expo Gate hosts o open classes, musical performances and dance: from the execution of the pas de deux Adagio della Rosa and Gymnopedie, to arias interpreted by young soloists of the Academy, as well as set and costume design workshops inspired by the opera Cinderella and dedicated to the little ones. It will be a program that offers an unprecedented "behind the scenes" view of the Scala universe, offering an opportunity to take a look across the board and participate in the approach to the expected Milanese rite of La Prima alla Scala - First Night at the Scala – on Sunday, December 7, officially opening the season of Christmas festivities

Wednesday, December 3 at 17.30 is the time of "Fame di Felicità" (Hunger for Happiness), a charity event organized by ABA - Anorexia Bulimia Association founded by Fabiola De Clercq in 1991 - and A.GEN.DA - Parents Association for Eating Disorders. It begins with a panel discussion moderated by the psychotherapist Italo Bosani. From 19.00 to 21.30, with Charity Shopping you can find opportunities for glamorous, fun and at the same time supportive gifts, thanks to the T-shirt made especially with the help of internationally renowned photographers such as Lorenzo Bringheli, Max Cardelli, D21 Massimo Morgante + Fabrizio Ruffo, Tanya Jones, Gianni Pezzani, Giampaolo Sgura e Carter Smith.

On Thursday, December 4 , at 18.30, there will be an open conversation on the subject of the sharing economy, moderated by Massimo Russo, editor of Wired, where April Rinne, consultant and global industry expert, provides an international perspective, while Councilor Tajani offers a more detailed overview of next steps to be taken by the city of Milan.

On Friday, December 5 from 15.00, Expo Gate hosts the Secondo Colloquio Internazionale of Laboratorio Expo, the annual event dedicated to the themes of Expo Milano 2015. Three distinct locations (Università Statale di Milano, Gallerie d’Italia and Expo Gate ) invite institutions, experts and the City of Milan to learn about the research, discussions and studies of Laboratorio Expo. Four international artists, Adrian Paci, Steve Small, Emilio Fantin and Maria Papadimitriou, have led projects of artistic reflection in particular places where people eat together: a school, a Romany camp, a refugee center and a shelter for the homeless. The results will be displayed to the public accompanied by reflections by anthropologist Ivan Bargna and artistic curator Gabi Scardi. From 19.30 the musician Steve Piccolo will present the results of the workshop dedicated to the soundscape of food and conviviality, with a full immersion in a performance inspired by the path conducted in schools in Milan.

Temporary kitchen in Spazio Garibaldi

Made in collaboration with Valcucine, Jam Sessions. Workshops on food preservation is a format that consists of a real kitchen where chefs, celerities from the world of design and culture gather together in public to make jams and preserves. From Tuesday, December 2, the food blogger Lisa Casali, will take center stage, grappling with preserves as a ritual, tradition and moment of learning, continuing every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, during the lunch break, with a series of interactive lessons by TourDeFork, design studio specializing in creating innovative products and culinary experiences.