Parts of the opening ceremony also took place across three other sites in Cortina, Predazzo, and Livigno, representing how Olympic events will be held across Italian regions. Italy is spending an estimated $1.6 billion to host the 2026 Winter Olympics, Reuters reported.
The ceremony's performances featured nods to Italian history and culture, and other countries added patriotic details to their opening ceremony uniforms.
Here are some details you may have missed.
In the opening dance, two dancers dressed as angels evoked "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss," a sculpture by Italian artist Antonio Canova.
Italian ballet dancers Antonella Albano and Claudio Coviello danced in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.WANG Zhao/AFP via Getty Images
Dancers dressed as musical notes took over the stage in a tribute to Italian opera composers Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, and Gioachino Rossini.
Dancers in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Maja Hitij/Getty Images
Colorful costumes represented numerous aspects of Italian arts, culture, cuisine, and architecture in a vibrant crescendo.
Actors dressed as symbols of Italian fashion in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Elsa/Getty Images
Some performers even dressed as brightly colored moka pots, coffee makers made in Italy.
Performers at the 2026 Olympic Games opening ceremony.Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Mariah Carey sang a mashup of the Italian song "Volare" with her hit "Nothing Is Impossible."
Mariah Carey at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympics.Elsa/Getty Images
Models walked into the stadium wearing Giorgio Armani suits in the colors of the Italian flag.
Models in Giorgio Armani suits at the 2026 Winter Olympics.Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Aerialists performed between two rings representing the city of Milan and the mountains of Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Aerialists in the opening ceremony of the 2026 Olympics.Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
The two rings eventually fused with others to form the iconic five-ring symbol of the Olympics.
The Olympic rings were lit up with fireworks at the 2026 opening ceremony.WANG Zhao / AFP
During the Parade of Nations, athletes from each country carried signs designed to look like blocks of ice.
Team Greece at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Team Brazil's outfits, designed by Moncler, included shorts made of the same material as their puffy coats.
Flagbearer Lucas Pinheiro Braathen of Team Brazil during the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Designer Stella Jean created bold uniforms for Haiti's Olympic team inspired by the art of Edouard Duval Carrié.
Members of Team Haiti at the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
Team Great Britain's looks featured scarves created by a fellow Olympian and avid knitter, Tom Daley.
Team Great Britain at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Elsa/Getty Images
Team USA's Ralph Lauren ensemble included white wool coats and patriotic sweaters.
Team USA at the 2026 Olympics opening ceremony.Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
After the parade, another dance number featuring "White Lotus" star Sabrina Impacciatore took viewers back in time for a look at the history of the Olympic Games in Italy.
Italian actor Sabrina Impacciatore performed at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Piero CRUCIATTI / AFP via Getty Images
It featured the song "Prisencolinensinainciusol" by Italian comedian Adriano Celentano, written in gibberish meant to sound like English.
A dance number at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Elsa/Getty Images
Andrea Bocelli sang the Italian aria "Nessun dorma" as the Olympic torch entered the stadium.
Andrea Bocelli at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
Dancers formed the shape of a dove in a segment about peace.
The Dove of Peace at the 2026 Winter Olympics.PIERO CRUCIATTI / AFP via Getty Images
Charlize Theron made an appearance to speak about Nelson Mandela's legacy of peace.
Charlize Theron at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Sarah Stier/Getty Images
For the first time in Olympic history, the opening ceremony featured the lighting of two Olympic cauldrons, one in Milan and one in Cortina.
A torchbearer at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP via Getty Images
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Talia Lakritz is a Life correspondent at Business Insider covering politics and power through a visual storytelling lens. She has reported from the White House as well as military installations, mansions, and museums across the country, bringing readers inside fascinating places through immersive features.Previously, she wrote for The New York Jewish Week and SciShow Space.Talia holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Barnard College of Columbia University and ordination as an interfaith minister from One Spirit Learning Alliance. She hopes to one day visit all 50 states and all 14 public presidential libraries.Politics and power:
