Bardolino Events
Bardolino is an oasis of fun, with a lot of events arranged every year within its enchanting scenery.
They are musical, sport, cultural and food and beverage events reflecting the identity and traditions of the village.
Not just one, but rather three wine festivals focused on one of the products of excellence of the area. Together with the famous historic “Festa dell’Uva e del Vino” celebrating the local Bardolino, there are the “Festa del vino Novello” celebrated in November and the “Palio del Chiaretto” celebrated on spring to pay homage to the local rosé.
These events are not only suitable for wine lovers but they are made for everyone: from the events made for children and their families such as the engaging “Giocabimbi”, to those inspired by art and culture such as “1,2, tlè” and “Parole sull’acqua”; there are also sport events such as the spectacular “Città di Bardolino International Triathlon” as well as events for cars enthusiasts, from the elegant “Garda Classic Car Show” to the lively “Benacus rally”.
There are noteworthy festival also in Calmasino and Cisano, the two hamlets of Bardolino: it is a good occasion to taste local food.
The events are not only scheduled on summer but also on the other seasons, such as the Christmas markets livening up the lakefront during the festival known as “Dal sei al sei”.
Have fun all year round in Bardolino!
Garda classic Car Show
Highlights
Every year the village celebrates with special events that are not to be missed
Festa dell'Uva
From the 3rd to the 7th of October
The most awaited festival of the year and most important event taking place in Bardolino is the traditional…
Palio del Chiaretto
From the 31st of May to the 2nd of June
The Palio del Chiaretto, nowadays one of the most important Italian events dedicated to the rosé, is a long taste itinerary…
Parole sull'acqua
From the 24th to the 26th of May
“Parole sull’Acqua“ is a festival of culture holding famous writers and journalists to promote reading…
Spring events
Benacus rally
March 2020
A sport event based on the national “Benacus Rally” during which about a hundred racer teams from various Italian regions compete with each other, together with the latest races known as “Benacus Historic (historic cars national rally) and “Coppa lago di Garda” (historic cars sport race).
You will have the opportunity to see a lot of cars, including the iconic models that made the history of rally. The event is inaugurated at Azienda Agricola Guerrieri Rizzardi di Bardolino where the cars go under technical and athletic tests, while the race starts at Lungolago Lenotti, with the “Benacus Rally” and “Benacus Historic” cars involved in the first two special test races.
The next day the “Coppa Lago di Garda” is inaugurated. The award ceremony takes place at Campazzi within the “Rally Party” space: a whole area for teams and visitors with gazebo, gastronomic stands and musical entertainment.
Vinitaly and the City
From the 5th to the 7th of April
“Vinitaly and the City” is the off-site event of “Vinitaly”, the famous international wine exhibition.
The wonderful Villa Carrara Bottagisio and its park with a view over the lake hold the wine Consortia and producers from Verona through dozens of wine-tasting booths. There is also an indoor area dedicated to local food, where you can choose between mountain, lake and plain menu; the lakefront is decorated with thousands of flower arrangements.
The food and wine experience is accompanied by awesome music entertainment; you can also enjoy guided tastings with the Fisar sommeliers, show cooking with famous chefs, wine workshops and other wonderful experiences.
Parco Carrara tensile structure
Easter in Bardolino
From the 19th to the 22nd of April
For Easter Bardolino gives you the opportunity to spend four days enjoying the beginning of spring: the lakefront celebrates handcraft as well as food and wine tradition with the “lungo viale dei sapori del Veneto”, where businesses are open to visitors for the whole duration of the event.
You can also enjoy music events and the art exhibit “Mostra Artisti Bardolinesi” (up to the 1st of May) that takes place at villa Carrara Bottagisio and includes paintings, sculptures and handcraft works by about forty artists. The old town olive trees are decorated with hundreds of bells made by children from elementary school.
On the Easter evening the Curch of S.S. Nicolò e Severo holds the Filarmonica di Bardolino performing a vocal concert with chorale and solo artists. You can have a happy Little Easter full of outdoor activities at Lido di Cisano, with barbecues, live music and children entertainment.
Concorso per musicisti Jan Langosz
From the 8th to the 12th of May
The “Città di Bardolino – Jan Langosz” music contest is an international competition for young musicians dedicated to Jan Langosz, a Polish orchestra leader who lived in Bardolino.
Bardolino has held this important music event for years. The entrance is free and it takes place within the evocative Sala della Disciplina, an ancient deconsecrated church where hundreds of young musicians from all over the world perform in front of a panel of judges who will proclaim the winner of each category.
The panel members are artists of International fame who were on the most important stages of the world; due to their experience and competence, they are able to guarantee an appropriate selection and evaluation of the performances.
For the entire duration of the contest, the most deserving artists will perform at Sala della Disciplina every evening. Bardolino is tourism, but also art and culture.
Musicians performing at Sala della Disciplina
International youth football tournament
From the 10th to the 12th of May
The “Bardolino Champions Cup” is an International football tournament for children under the age of 10. It is a prestigious youth tournament for major European clubs; it is considered as a Champions League for kids, including Bayern München, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Atlético Madrid; a very high quality is also guaranteed by the most important Italian clubs.
During the official opening ceremony all teams parade through the streets of the village while singing their hymns. A Truck Hospitality with a giant screen is arranged at piazzetta Preonda for four days.
The tournament takes place at the Bardolino Sports Centre. Bardolino is particularly suitable for this kind of event: it is not only an important and enchanting tourist town that is known all over the world, but it is also equipped enough to hold such a large number of people.
The tournament is named after Germano Chincherini, a famous businessman who prematurely died in 2000 and found a non-profit organisation called Fondazione Germano Chincherini – ONLUS to help poor children of the world. The organisation initially worked especially in Kenya.
Giocabimbi Bardolino
From the 6th to the 7th of July
“Giocabimbi” is the event dedicated to children and their families: two days of pure fun to rediscover the old outdoor games.
The scheduled activities are free and they are made for children of all ages: games, workshops and adventures will liven up the kids’ weekend at Parco Carrara Bottagisio.
Parole sull’Acqua
From the 24th to the 26th of May
“Parole sull’Acqua“ is a festival of culture holding famous writers and journalists to promote reading.
The event consists in several meetings with authors, writers and journalists of national fame who offer to dialogue with the audience while displaying their most recent works.
The events are free and they take place at Piazza del Porto under a tensile structure.
Alberto Matano attending Parole sull'Acqua 2018
Summer events
Palio del Chiaretto
From the 31st of May to the 2nd of June
The Palio del Chiaretto, nowadays one of the most important Italian events dedicated to the rosé, is a long taste itinerary starting from Cisano up to Punta Cornicello, at the extreme north of Bardolino residential area.
Following the old tradition, the local wineries offer different tastes of Bardolino Chiaretto both in its “Classico DOC” and “Spumante DOC” version while explaining visitors the organoleptic properties and features of this fruity wine.
The event includes food and wine, music, culture and entertainment: at Parco Carrara Bottagisio visitors can find a whole area dedicated to food taste and music events.
On the other hand at lungolago Mirabello visitors can buy local products, while at Piazza del Porto they can taste them at Museo dell’Olio and Museo del Vino.
International Triathlon
15th of June
The “Città di Bardolino International Triathlon” was founded in 1984; it is the most enduring Italian triathlon event and it involves about a thousand athletes from all over the world every year.
This sport event forms part of the Olympic triathlon category with the following distances to be covered: swimming 1500 m, cycling 40 km, running 10 km.
The Triathlon also allows to discover the wonderful places around lake Garda by swimming into the lake water, biking through the hills and vineyards and running around the village centre.
It’s an engaging as well as spectacular challenge appealing to a lot of visitors every year.
Regata delle Bisse
29th of June
The Regata delle Bisse is a traditional rowing race with historic boats dating back to the Republic of Venice historical era.
The bissa is a typical fishing boat with a flat bottom that facilitates navigation and rowing; its name originates from the particular rowing style of Venetian people and fishermen who used to row standing up and using the whole body with incredible synchrony and balance.
The event has always been followed with great passion and interest, also influencing the habits and customs of all the villages of the Riviera.
The Regata delle Bisse takes place every year since 1967 between June and August and it involves 14 lake districts including Bardolino.
The winning boat gets the “Bandiera del Lago” while the best rowers are awarded with a parade along the Canal Grande during the Regata Storica.
Bisse on the lake
Palo della Cuccagna
8th of July
The port of Bardolino becomes an arena for a contest to win the cesto della cuccagna with food and beverage.
This unusual and fun traditional contest awards a prize to the first competitor able to grab a flag on the top of a horizontal pole standing directly on the water.
The pole is though sprinkled with grease as to make the game more difficult but also more amusing.
Palo della cuccagna at the port of Bardolino
Festa di Sant’Anna a Calmasino
From the 25th to the 29th of July
Since the seventeenth century Calmasino has held various festivities; although the most ancient festivity is the one dedicated to the patron saint San Michele Arcangelo, the most popular event is the Festa di Sant’Anna.
It is a traditional town festival holding a great variety of stands with local food and beverage accompanied by music entertainment, a big amusement park for children and fireworks.
Concert
Concert by Scuola di Canto Lirico Katia Ricciarelli
3rd of August
A special event dedicated to the opera music takes place at the very centre of the village in the evocative setting of Piazza Metteotti, with a free concert performing the most beautiful and famous airs of the history of opera.
The concert is the outcome of an international operatic singing masterclass given by the Italian soprano Katia Ricciarelli and the tenor Francesco Zingariello and it boasts the participation of promising operatic voices from all over the world.
Soprano Katia Ricciarelli
Aperitivo Sotto le Stelle
6th of August
“Aperitivo Sotto le Stelle” is an exclusive event dedicated to wine and food lovers and to all those people who enjoy having fun.
During the event, the lungolago Cornicello is not admitted to the public but only to the visitors who bought the ticket; they have reserved access to the area that is finely set up with local wine stands and local food tasting tours.
Music shows and fireworks on the water make the event unique.
Lungolago Cornicello
Un, due, tlè
From the 30th of August to the1st of September
Tree days to celebrate figurative art while enjoying one of the most peculiar views of Bardolino: Borgo Garibaldi, that all day long holds the works of fifty artists from all over the country thus turning this gorgeous little square and its alleys into an open-air art gallery.
The exhibit includes not only paintings and sculptures but also ceramic works, photographs and creative works.
Esposizione degli artisti
Autumn events
Sagra dei Osei a Cisano
From the 5th to the 9th of September
The Sagra dei Osei of Cisano is a local festival with ancient origins. As a matter of fact hunting fairs and festivals were born in the north of Italy in the twelfth century, since the region had a greater bird migration.
The Cisano festival had a lot of visitors who joined it to stock up with useful decoys in view of the imminent hunting season, as well as with agricultural or enological tools and courtyard animals. Moreover, the festival represented a rare occasion to savor a good tripe or polenta dish with osei,together with a glass of Bardolino.
Today the Sagra dei Osei includes ornithological exhibits and decoy competitions with major national chioccolatori (bird-call imitators) and it gives the opportunity to taste the most famous speciality foods such as quail with polenta, tripe, riso al tastasal and other meat or fish dishes.
Live music and entertainment make the event atmosphere even more festive, such as the wondeful finale with the awaited fireworks at the port of Cisano.
Garda Classic Car Show
From the 14th to the 15th of September
The “Garda Classic Car Show” celebrates classic cars from the 20s to the 70s with their respective groups wearing period costumes.
It is a two days jump back in time which turns the lakefront into a history showcase allowing visitors to enjoy the best car models of the world.
The prestigious cars are showed at Parco Carrara Bottagisio so that visitors can vote for their favourite one. Moving to Piazza del Porto a platform holds the cars parade; the different lights and songs depending on the year of production of each car make the event spectacular.
Classic car parade on the lakefront
Antica Fiera di San Michele
From the 27th to the 29 September
The traditional festival dedicated to San Michele, the patron saint of Bardolino, takes place every year in Calmasino at the end of September.
It is a festival full of food events which offers the opportunity to taste all kind of speciality food, such as tripe and “stracotto d’asino” together with the local wine (of course! It’s harvest season!)
The festival also represents a good occasion to discover the region (through the guided tours around the historic and panoramic paths) and its traditions (through the old occupations show and the agricultural machinery parade through the village streets).
The festival livens up with shows, children workshops, markets and live music.
Festa dell’Uva e del Vino Bardolino
From the 3rd to the 7th of October
The most awaited festival of the year and most important event taking place in Bardolino is the traditional “Festa dell’Uva e del Vino”; it was born in 1929 to celebrate harvest and wine.
It is one of the most attended events of the region with its music, colours, food and beverage, local handcraft and shows; it aims to celebrate one of the distinctive products of the region: the Bardolino Wine!
The local associations and wineries arrange tasting itineraries on the lakefront and at Parco Carrara Bottagisio to allow visitors to taste the various Bardolino versions, from Classico and Superiore to Chiaretto.
To fully enjoy the wine, you can visit the food stands and try local food and other recipes on the lake shore.
The numerous music events add a feeling of glee to the festival: singers and bands perform all musical genres at Parco Carrara Bottagisio and the port to make everyone dance!
On the other hand it’s time for shopping at lungolago Mirabello, with dozens of stores and brands from all over the country.
Borgo Garibaldi holds “Il cortile delle arti e dei mestieri”, with the participation of numerous companies representing the quality of the Italian creativity and handcraft.
The main symbol of the festival is the big barrel distributing grape juice in Piazza Catullo. It is six meters high and 4 meters wide.
La 10 di Bardolino
19th of October
Bardolino holds“La 10 di Bardolino“, the International road running.
The race covers a 10 km distance, giving the possibility to choose between the competitive and non-competitive race.
In any case the race whose start and finish line is Riva Cornicello allows the participants to discover Bardolino and Cisano beauties through a course that goes all through the evocative interland, from the autumn colors of the olive trees and vineyards to the enchanting lakefront.
National orienteering championship
27th of October
In October Bardolino holds the Orienteering Spring Relay National Championship.
Orienteering is a Scandinavian sport which is usually practiced on foot: the competitors have a detailed map of the region and they have to reach the marked points following the map order and with the fastest time.
Each competitor can choose a course to reach the control points where an electronic device registers his/her course.
The Bardolino Championship engages about 600 competitors from all over the country together with some groups from the border Nations.
The race is based on the “Relay type” with teams made of 3 competitors; they start from Parco Bottagisio and then they come back to it for the competitor’s “change”, after a course through the village streets. The event ends with the award ceremony at Parco Bottagisio.
Festa del Novello
From the 2nd to the 3rd of November
This festival combines tradition, culture, food and beverage with autumn colours and flavours celebrating the Bardolino Novello: the first harvest fruit, a young, soft and fruity wine.
The festival takes place at Piazza del Porto, where visitors can find tree different wineries collocated inside the big barrel carried out for the Festa dell’Uva; Costadoro, Girardelli and Raval preview a red wine taste together with a truly fitting autumn food: chestnuts.
In the meantime lungolago Lenotti holds a food and beverage and handcraft market, where visitors can find all kind of speciality food and products. On Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5pm Piazza del Porto will hold live music events.
Winter events
Christmas in Bardolino
From the 28th of November to the 10th of January 2020
During Christmas holidays, Bardolino becomes a magic village dedicated to the most awaited time of the year, with a lot of events to celebrate Christmas in the wonderful setting of Lake Garda.
On the lakefront dozens of carefully selected companies show their high quality products: from local food and beverage to handcrafted goods and home-made Christmas decorations.
At the end of this shopping itinerary full of traditional Tyrolese stalls, visitors can have something to eat and drink inside a big warmed transparent igloo next to the covered ice skating rink.
Lungolago Cornicello is dedicated to children, food and beverage. The warmed covered children’s area holds didactic workshops and ludic activities, while the area dedicated to food and beverage offers local food of the region.
At Parco Carrara Bottagisio visitors can enjoy the lake beauties from the unique view of the Ferris wheel. But there’s much more besides: the alleys of the village centre light up with hundreds of illuminations and Piazza Matteotti holds the Majestic Christmas tree with its more than 8 meters and its blue lights; the Medieval Church of San Severo – a true architectural jewel set in the village centre – holds the exposition of nativity scenes from all over the world.
What about New Year celebrations? It is celebrated on the lakefront, where visitors can drink to the new year dancing and enjoying the spectacular fireworks on the water.
During the festivals, a lot of events liven up the lakefront and the centre: from the guided tasting itineraries by the “Consorzio del Radicchio di Verona IGP” to the days with Manny, the Folgaria Ski Mascot; from the chocolate market by the “Fabbrica di Cioccolato” to the music shows by Filarmonica di Bardolino and others.
Finally, Epiphany is celebrated with the traditional “bruiel de la vecia”bonfire, together with chocolate, pandoro and vin brulé.
Skating rink on the port
Lago di Garda in Love
February 2020
Lago di Garda in Love is a traditional festival dedicated to lovers which makes the Bardolino promenade even more romantic.
The main symbol of the event is the Passeggiata d’Amore whose slogan is “3.000 steps for your heart”: the Bardolino – Garda pedestrian itinerary around the lakefront is decorated with standards containing the most popular love poems.
Piazza del Porto holds the “Messaggio del Cuore”: a wall where everyone can leave his/her love message. Visitors can also enjoy live music events, dancing shows and the enchanting “pink breaths”, a romantic rain of little hearts! Finally, lungolago Cornicello holds a local food market and a food area where visitors can taste the famous “Nodo d’Amore” (the local tortellino from Valeggio sul Mincio).
Enjoy all the season events in the magical setting of Lake Garda with its breath-taking sunsets!
Romeo e Giulietta
Carnevale di Bacco e Arianna
15th of February 2020
Every year Bardolino celebrates its Carnival dedicated to the myth of Bacchus and Ariadne attracting a lot of visitors and tourists, especially children.
The event fills the alleys of the centre and the lakefront with hundreds of traditional masks and groups from all over the country.
The colourful parade starts from Piazzale Gramsci and ends at Piazza del Porto. According to tradition, children are the protagonists of the celebration as they wait to see the groups parade while enjoying games and attractions; as an example Piazza Catullo holds free inflatables, while Piazza Matteotti holds the “truccabimbi” with balloons everywhere!
And then, of course, the famous gnocco: visitors can taste it at the port together with a glass of Bardolino.
Regular events
Markets
During your stay in Bardolino, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy the village and its everyday life.
While visiting the market stalls, you will enjoy a familiar atmosphere and a calm shopping time with a view on the lake.
Weekly markets are a great opportunity to discover the natural foodstuffs of the region together with goods of all kind, such as clothes and home stuffs.
Finally, you can also find vintage and shabby chic markets, handcraft markets and much more.
Bardolino weekly market
- Lakefront
- Thursday
- From 8.00am to 1.30pm
Calmasino 0km food market
- Piazza del Combattimento
- Saturday
- From 8.00am to 1.00pm
Cisano weekly market
- Piazza Lago
- Tuesday
- From 8.00am to 1.30pm
Cisano evening handcraft market
- Piazza Lago
- 5 5th of June – 19th of June – 3rd of July
17th of July – 31st of July – 14th of August
4th of September; - From 6.00pm to 11.00pm
Bardolino Antique market
- Lungolago
- The Third Monday of each month
- From 10.00am to 6.00pm
Music
If you love music, from May to October you can enjoy the magic atmosphere of the Italian opera with the “Italian Opera Concert”, a great opportunity to listen to the most famous airs and duets by major composers such as Puccini, Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini and Mozart.
The concerts take place in the elegant Sala della Disciplina.
Since 1858 the historic Filarmonica di Bardolino offers high quality music with its band and chorale performing numerous concerts every year during Bardolino most popular festivals.
Take a look at the events calendar with the complete list of markets and concerts:
Filarmonica
- Piazza Matteotti
- From the 19th of June to the 6th of October
- Each Wednesday
- at 9.30pm
Italian Opera Concerts
- Sala della Disciplina – paid admission
- From the 7th of May to the 4th of October
- Tuesday - Friday - Sunday
- 9.00pm