Autumn Festivals in Ticino (2018 Schedule)

Flip-flop season is over and the days are getting shorter.

This is the best time to spend some time in Ticino where an impressive line-up of autumn festivals awaits. Here, harvest season is about paying homage to the staples of life south of the alps: polenta, risotto, roasted chestnuts, cheese, music and wine.

You could decide to spend an autumn weekend in Ascona, Bellinzona, Locarno or Lugano. Or you could go deeper into the valleys which will be less crowded during this time of the year. Either way, bring your camera and practice your photography skills during a hike in the yellow chestnut forests…

Due to popular demand, we are bringing back a comprehensive schedule of autumn festivals in Ticino:

Sept 2

Loco: Flour Festival with polenta lunch at noon (Festa tradizionale della Farina bóna)
How to get there and more information

Sept 7 – 8

Locarno: Risotto Festival with live cooking (Festival del risotto)
How to get there and more information

Sept 9

Intragna: Bread and Wine Festival (Festa Pane & Vino)
How to get there and more information

Sept 16

Bellinzona to Giubiasco: “Strada in festa” Market Street
How to get there and more information

Sept 22

Leventina/Ambri: Agriculture and Cheese Fair from 9 AM – 4 PM
How to get there and more information

Sept 22

Locarno: Choirs in Courtyards (Le Corti inCanto)
How to get there and more information

Sept 28 – 30

Mendrisio: Grape Festival (Sagra del Borgo) (Read our event recommendation)
How to get there and more information

Sept 29 – Oct 21

Bregaglia: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Oct 5 – 7

Lugano: Autumn Festival (Read our event recommendation)
How to get there and more information

Oct 7

Arcegno/Losone: Chestnut Festival
How to get there

Brione sopra Minusio: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Brissago: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Gordola: Autumn Festival
How to get there and more information

Quartino: Chestnut and craft fair
How to get there and more information

Sognogno: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Oct 10

Muralto: Chestnut Festival (“Free chestnuts for all!”)
How to get there

Oct 13

Ascona: Chestnut Festival (Read our event recommendation)
How to get there and more information

Oct 14

Cevio: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Cugnasco: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Lugano: Chestnut Day
How to get there and more information

Ronco sopra Ascona: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Morbio-Inferiore at Valle di Muggio: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Oct 20

Intragna-Golino: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Nov 3

Russo: Chestnut Festival
How to get there and more information

Nov 9 – 11

Mendrisio: San Martino Festival
How to get there and more information

(Photograph Hotel Internationale au Lac copyright by Quesy)