Your 2026 Calendar for Unforgettable Holiday

Fixed Events on Lake Como: Your 2026 Calendar for Unforgettable Holiday

Lake Como is not only about postcard-perfect landscapes, historic villas, and charming villages: throughout the year, it hosts a series of events celebrating history, traditions, culture, and local flavors.
Here’s a calendar of the must-see events in 2026 – the perfect guide to planning your holiday by the lake.

January

January 5 – Pesa Vegia, Bellano
Every year on the Eve of Epiphany, Bellano turns into an open-air stage. The Pesa Vegia is a historical reenactment that blends sacred and profane: parades, biblical characters, ancient traditions, and a spectacular bonfire by the lakeshore.

February

February 7–17 – Carnival of Schignano, Valle Intelvi 2026
One of the most authentic carnivals in Italy, famous for the wooden masks of the “Beautiful” and the “Ugly.” The climax comes on Shrove Tuesday, February 17, 2026, with the big parade and the burning of the “Carlisepp,” symbolizing the end of winter.

April

Easter and Easter Fair, Como During the Easter period : 
The city celebrates Easter with its traditional fair along the medieval walls. Hundreds of stalls showcase local products, crafts, and curiosities in a lively spring atmosphere.

May

Late May – Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, Cernobbio
The most glamorous event of the year: the rarest and most precious vintage cars parade through the gardens of Villa d’Este and Villa Erba. Exhibitions, awards, and exclusive evenings combine beauty, history, and luxury on the shores of the lake.

June

Last weekend of June – Sagra di San Giovanni, Isola Comacina (Tremezzina)
One of the lake’s most spectacular festivals. The night sky lights up with fireworks commemorating the burning of the island in 1169, followed by processions, boat races, and folkloric celebrations. Hundreds of boats fill the lake for a magical atmosphere.

July & August

– August – Festivals and Fireworks around the Lake
Summer is the time for village festivals, dance nights, and firework shows that brighten towns from Varenna to Gravedona, Menaggio to Lezzeno. It’s the perfect way to experience the villages with music, dancing, and traditional food.

– Last Saturday of August or first Sunday of September – Sagra del Missultin, Mezzegra
A tribute to the lake’s symbolic fish: the agone, salted, dried, and pressed with bay leaves. The festival features tastings of missultin with polenta, local wine, and live music.

– During the summer season, every day you’ll find something special in the villages — a lively dancing party, an enchanting night market under the stars, music filling the squares, and plenty of delicious food and refreshing drinks to enjoy!

September

Late August to mid-September – Palio del Baradello, Como
The city dives into the medieval past of Emperor Barbarossa with costumed parades, tournaments, archery competitions, and regattas. A historical celebration that involves the whole community.

October

– Early October – Orticolario, Villa Erba (Cernobbio)
An event dedicated to creative gardening, landscaping, and botanical design. Artistic installations, rare plants, and cultural talks make this a must for nature lovers.

– Mid-October – Chestnuts, Witches and Surroundings, Rovenna (Cernobbio)
The village transforms into a magical setting with roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, legends of witches, and folk music – a warm and evocative autumn atmosphere.

– Second Sunday of October – Sagra del Torchio, Palanzo (Faggeto Lario)
In Palanzo’s square, the grape harvest is celebrated around an ancient wine press. Tastings, traditional dishes, and local markets fill the village with authentic flavors.

December

– Brienno : Christmas Market Under the Arcades 
The last weekend of November and the first of December (11:00 AM – 9:00 PM). Experience a magical atmosphere between lake and mountains! Discover charming artisan and gourmet stalls, the House of Santa Claus for little ones, and explore the historic “Galleria da Mina del Puncett.” Easily accessible by shuttle, bus, or ferry.

– Christmas in Como – Markets, Lights, Ice Skating, Città dei Balocchi
For winter 2025–2026:

• Christmas markets in Como’s historic center (“Città dei Balocchi”) with wooden chalets, crafts, and seasonal products.

• Ice skating rink in Piazza Cavour.

• Light installations across the old town and projections on monuments.

• November 22 – January 6

– Every January 1st since 1887, Argegno celebrates “I Capell,” a Living Nativity commemorating key moments in the life of Jesus. This sacred tradition, originally a votive offering during a plague, features over 100 costumed participants, artisan-crafted chapels, and live animals. The event begins with Vespers at the Holy Trinity Parish Church, followed by a procession led by the Three Wise Men. The route, varying each year, highlights Argegno’s historic alleys and culminates with a toast at the church square. Recognized for its cultural value, “I Capell” has even been showcased in Milan’s Gae Aulenti Square.

From the fiery Pesa Vegia to the charm of the Carnival of Schignano, from the dazzling fireworks of Isola Comacina to the elegance of Villa d’Este’s Concorso, Lake Como’s calendar is a constant invitation to return.
Whether in winter, summer, or autumn, each season offers a special event – all you need to do is pick a weekend and let yourself be surprised by the magic of the lake.