A Midsummer Night's Dream
A magical night on Lake Lavarone, filled with lights, music, and enchantment
About A Midsummer Night's Dream
A night of enchantment on Lake Lavarone
There is only one night a year when Lake Lavarone, nestled in the woods of the Alpe Cimbra at an altitude of over 1,000 meters, ceases to be just an alpine mirror of water and becomes an open-air stage. This is the night of A Midsummer Night's Dream, an event that every August transforms the shores of the lake, in the Chiesa district of the Lavarone municipality (Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige), into a world where reality and fantasy merge into a single, extraordinary experience.
The title is a direct nod to William Shakespeare's masterpiece, and just like in the play, nature comes alive with fairies, forest spirits, and melodies that wrap around the audience like a spell. But this is no ordinary theatrical performance: it is an immersive, sprawling event that winds along the entire perimeter of the lake with light installations, live performances, and surprises at every turn.
A sprawling show around the lake
The format is that of an immersive event. Visitors don't stay seated in an audience; they walk along the lakeside promenade and traverse different settings, each with its own unique atmosphere. On the southern shore, grand live symphonic music takes the stage, while the northern shore hosts contemporary dance, fire juggling, and aerial acrobatics. In between, roving magic, circus, and cabaret acts alternate continuously, while a parade of fantastical characters brings the pedestrian path to life.
Soft lighting, water features, and projections complete the natural scenery, creating a result that aims to amaze both children and adults. It is a tribute to nature, imagination, and the beauty of a night suspended in time, on the plateau where Trentino traditions and the historic Cimbrian community of Lusérn coexist.
A free event for the whole family
A Midsummer Night's Dream is a free event, organized by the Alpe Cimbra Tourist Board (Folgaria, Lavarone, Lusérn, Vigolana). It is designed as one of the highlights of the summer on the plateau, drawing families and tourists from all over the Trentino region. In case of bad weather, some performances are moved to the Lavarone Congress Center so that the magic continues.
A Midsummer Night's Dream — edition 2026
For the 2026 edition, Lake Lavarone once again transforms into a natural stage on the evening of Thursday, August 13, starting at 9:00 PM. The program is one of the richest ever, distributing performances between the southern shore, the northern shore, and the lakeside promenade, allowing the public to move freely from one scene to another.
The musical heart of the evening is the full-length screening of Fantasia 2000 accompanied by the Orchestra delle Alpi, with over 60 live musicians in sync with the images. Surrounding this, contemporary dance, fire juggling, aerial acrobatics, magic, sand art, and variety circus acts will animate the shores until late in the evening. In case of bad weather, some performances will move to the Lavarone Congress Center. Admission is free.
Programme A Midsummer Night's Dream 2026
Thursday, August 13, 2026 — from 9:00 PM
- 9:00 PM — Lake Lavarone (south shore) — Fantasia 2000 in Concert: full screening of the film with the Orchestra delle Alpi (60+ musicians) performing the soundtrack live in sync with the images, accompanied by a narrator.
- 9:40 PM — Lake Lavarone (north shore) — Eclissi by the Lux Arcana company: contemporary dance, fire juggling, aerial performances, and LED effects.
- 9:00 PM-11:00 PM — continuous rotation — three alternating shows: Incantarte (magic and sand art), Mistral — Chinese Pole (acrobatics), Comic Circus Variety (circus and cabaret).
- 9:30 PM-11:00 PM — lakeside promenade — grand parade inspired by Alice in Wonderland with fantastical characters.
- 11:00 PM — Lake Lavarone (south shore) — family disco as a grand finale.
In case of bad weather, some performances will be held at the Lavarone Congress Center.
Highlights A Midsummer Night's Dream 2026
Prices A Midsummer Night's Dream 2026
Practical information — A Midsummer Night's Dream
Location
Lake Lavarone, Chiesa district, Lavarone (TN), Alpe Cimbra. Performances are distributed between the southern and northern shores of the lake and along the lakeside pedestrian path.
When
One evening in mid-August, starting at 9:00 PM. In case of bad weather, some performances will be held at the Lavarone Congress Center.
How to get there
Lavarone can be reached by car from the Valdastico (A31 motorway exit) or from Trento via Caldonazzo. The lake has nearby parking; on busy evenings, arriving early is recommended.
Information
APT Alpe Cimbra — tel. +39 0464 724100 — [email protected]
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Where does it take place — A Midsummer Night's Dream
Lago di Lavarone
Lago di Lavarone, Frazione Chiesa, 38046 Lavarone