Italian Lakes events
Expert guide to the Italian Lakes
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The Italian Lakes hosts a myriad of exciting events throughout the year. From an archaic car and motorcycle competition held in the beautiful parkland of Villa d'Este, to glorious wine festivals, Telegraph Travel expert, Kiki Deere outlines her favourites.
Lake Como
Concorso D’Eleganza Villa d’Este
May 25-27
Exceptional historic cars and motorcycles come together at this exclusive contest that takes place in the parkland of Villa d’Este and neighbouring Villa Erba in Cernobbio. Established in 1929, this classic concours event hosts over fifty classic vehicles built between the 1920s and 1970s encompassing eight categories, from pre-war racing cars to luxury sports cars, and attracting car entusiasts from all over the globe.
Contact: 00 49 89 127 644 527; concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com
Price: £££
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CROSS
May 28 – July 1
This performing arts festival sees a range of events taking place in the towns of Verbania and Cannobio, from circus shows to video art installations. The streets come alive with thrilling street performances that include fire breathers, stilt walkers and acrobats, while DJ sets, contemporary dance and interactive installations on photography and cinema add to the festival’s eclectic repertoire.
Contact: 00 39 380 653 8718; crossaward.com
Price: £
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Lake Iseo
Festival dei Laghi
June 1–3
Celebrating the Italian Lakes, this festival is a three-day celebration of outdoor culture: food, art, crafts, music, sport and literature. There are food-tasting events, pop-up street cafes and workshops, as well as art exhibitions, concerts, conferences and writers’ talks. A large variety of live performances and sporting activities, from rowing to sailing, take place in and around the lake, allowing revellers to try an activity never done before.
Contact: 00 39 030 980 161; festivaldeilaghi.it
Price: Free
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Italia in Rosa
June 1–3
A major event dedicated to rosé wines, Italia in Rosa takes place in the medieval Castle of Monica on the shores of Lake Garda. Over 100 Italian and international wineries offer Chiaretto and rosé tastings, with self-guided and sommelier-guided sessions to help compare tasting notes. Wineries in the Valtenesi region throw open their doors for tours and tastings over the weekend. The festival features talks on the future of rosé wines, with snacks and nibbles served alongside wine.
Contact: 00 39 370 110 8423; italiainrosa.it
Price: £
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Bellagio Festival
June 14 – August 30
This classical music festival sees dozens of events taking place in picturesque Bellagio and at towns around the centre of the lake. Bellagio’s resident orchestra comes together with other internationally acclaimed orchestras, soloists and chamber musicians to promote classical and symphonic music to audiences at exclusive historical locations such as the sumptuous Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni.
Contact: Tel 00 39 333 251 2677; bellagiofestival.com
Price: Free
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Sagra di San Giovanni
June 23–24
Commemorating the fire that engulfed Comacina Island in 1169, this historical festival sees thousands of candles light up the lake and the shoreline, and a spectacular fireworks display lasting nearly thirty minutes illuminates the night sky. On Sunday, a procession of boats led by men in traditional dress travels to the island. The event concludes with a regatta of Lucia boats, traditional rowing boats of the lake.
Contact: 00 39 0344 40493
Price: Free
Lake Maggiore
Stresa Festival
July 14-27 and Aug 23- Sept 9
A classical and jazz music festival, Stresa Festival attracts national and international artists (the London Symphony Orchestra and British violinist Nigel Kennedy have played here in the past), with concerts held in exclusive locations around the lake including the sumptuous Palazzo of Isola Bella and the striking Santa Caterina del Sasso Monastery. The festival includes contemporary dance, theatrical performances, music, and cinematic and literary events.
Contact: 00 39 0323 31095; stresafestival.eu
Price: ££
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Notte di Fiaba
August 23–26
Riva del Garda turns into a fairytale set, with more than 100 engaging events and performances including concerts, craft corners, games and story-telling that are sure to keep little ones entertained for hours. This year’s event is dedicated to the underwater world of The Little Mermaid, culminating in a firework display that lights up the night sky for nearly 40 minutes.
Contact: 00 39 0464 755 639; nottedifiaba.it
Price: Free
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Centomiglia
September 7–8
The second weekend of September sees hundreds of sailing boats take to the water to compete in Lake Garda’s most important sailing regatta. Catamarans, yachts, dingies, single and multi-hulled boats race across the water for 100 miles cutting through the waves, while along the lakefront music, markets and al fresco dining keep spectators happy.
Contact: 00 39 0365 71433; centomiglia.it
Price: Free
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Franciacorta Wine Festival
September 15–16
An unmissable event for oenophiles, this weekend festival features vertical and theme-based tastings at wineries in the vineyard-clad region of Franciacorta. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy vineyard tours led by agronomists, while food vendors offer an array of local produce and dishes. Clearly marked trails through the area’s celebrated vineyards attract keen hikers and bikers, and it’s ideal for small children too, with picnics and games organised in a variety of locations.
Contact: 00 39 030 776 0870; franciacorta.net/it/festival
Price: ££
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Lake Orta
Poetry on the Lake
September 28-30
This British-run festival celebrates poetry with readings, discussions, workshops, dance and music taking place in a myriad of locations around the lake, both on land and on water. The lake’s seductive and intimate setting attracts poets from the world over, who come to experience and share their work in one of Italy’s most charming locations.
Contact: 00 39 347 846 4227; poetryonthelake.org
Price: By Donation
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Lake Garda
Bardolino Wine Festival
October 8–4
The small town of Bardolino on Lake Garda’s eastern shore comes alive in October with street music, shows, crafts, food and plenty of vino to celebrate the much-liked Bardolino grapes that are grown in the morainic hills of the lake. A myriad of stalls offer wine tasting sessions, while regional dishes bring out the best of the area’s ingredients.
Contact: 00 39 045 725 5279
Price: £
