Alborella Festival
Edition 2026 Gastronomy Wine Local produce

Alborella Festival

Lake fish takes center stage on the shores of Alserio

Inverigo — Como (013) Since 1976
Dates 29 Aug — 07 Sep 2026
Location Inverigo (013)
Prices Free
Status

About Alborella Festival

For almost half a century, the Alborella Festival has celebrated the small freshwater fish, a symbol of Larian cuisine, in Inverigo. On the shores of Lake Alserio, at the Villa Romanò Sports Centre, the alborella is served fried in crispy batter, marinated, or sautéed with aromatic herbs, always accompanied by steaming polenta and Lombard white wines. A gastronomic festival over fifty years old, organized by U.S. Villa Romanò, blending tradition, conviviality, and lake flavors.

The Alborella, Soul of Larian Cuisine

The Alborella Festival is held on the shores of Lake Alserio, in the territory of Inverigo (province of Como), and celebrates the alborella, a small freshwater fish once caught in large quantities and today valued as a typical element of Larian cuisine. A festival that tells the deep bond between the Brianza comasca territory and its lakes, through a humble but flavorful product.

Flavors of the Festival

During the event, the alborella is prepared in various traditional recipes: fried in crispy batter, marinated with vinegar and onion, or sautéed with aromatic herbs. The fish is always accompanied by steaming polenta and Lombard white wines, in pairings that enhance lake cuisine. The food stalls set up at the Villa Romanò Sports Centre, in Via Manzoni 1, are the delicious heart of the celebration.

A Tradition Over Fifty Years Old

Organized by U.S. Villa Romanò, the Alborella Festival boasts a history of almost fifty years: the editions have followed one another uninterruptedly, making the event an anticipated end-of-summer gathering. The setting of Lake Alserio, with its tranquility and natural beauty, adds charm to a festival that combines gastronomy, sport, and sociality.

An Event for Brianza Comasca

For Inverigo and for the entire Brianza comasca, the festival represents a moment of reunion and enhancement of local traditions. Between a portion of fried alborella and a walk along the lake shores, the event celebrates the identity of a territory that has always lived in close relationship with its waters.

Alborella Festival — edition 2026

The 50th edition of the Alborella Festival is expected between late August and early September 2026, on the shores of Lake Alserio in Inverigo. Fried, marinated, and sautéed alborella with polenta will once again be the star, in a gastronomic festival over fifty years old organized by U.S. Villa Romanò. Precise dates are pending confirmation.

For 2026, the 50th edition of the Alborella Festival is anticipated, continuing an uninterrupted tradition of nearly half a century (47th in 2023, 48th in 2024, 49th in 2025). The event takes place on the shores of Lake Alserio, at the Villa Romanò Sports Centre in Inverigo, with the usual menu based on fried, marinated, and sautéed alborella with aromatic herbs, accompanied by polenta and Lombard white wines. The indicated dates (late August-early September) are pending confirmation by U.S. Villa Romanò.

Programme Alborella Festival 2026

Alborella Festival 2026

  • Alborella fried in batter, marinated with vinegar and onion, sautéed with aromatic herbs
  • Accompanied by polenta and Lombard white wines
  • Food stalls on the shores of Lake Alserio

Final dates and program to be announced by U.S. Villa Romanò. The 50th edition is expected between late August and early September 2026.

Highlights Alborella Festival 2026

Alborella prepared according to traditional recipes, served with polenta on the shores of Lake Alserio.

Prices Alborella Festival 2026

Free entry; dishes and tastings available for purchase at the stalls.

Practical information — Alborella Festival

Where

Centro Sportivo Villa Romano, Via Manzoni 1, Inverigo (CO), on the shores of Lake Alserio.

When

Between late August and early September, for about ten days.

How to get there

Inverigo is reachable by car and train (Inverigo station on the Milan–Asso line); Lake Alserio is nearby.

Festival-goer photos

No photos yet. Share yours!

Share your photos

5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)

Noticed an error or missing information?

Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.

Festival-goer reviews

No rating yet — be the first!

No comments yet. Be the first!

Were you there?

Share your experience with the community.

Where does it take place — Alborella Festival

Centro Sportivo Villa Romanò, rive del Lago di Alserio

Via Manzoni 1, 22044 Inverigo

Alborella Festival in brief

Gastronomy Wine Local produce Sea Folk traditions Folklore Outdoor Free Como

History of Alborella Festival