Arctic Char Festival

The Arctic Char Festival in Molveno

The Arctic Char Festival is the gastronomic event that brings the historic center of Molveno to life between late May and early June. This enchanting village overlooks the lake of the same name in the heart of the Brenta Dolomites. Located in the Province of Trento, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, within the Paganella plateau and the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, the town dedicates an entire weekend to the fish that best represents its identity: the alpine arctic char.

The alpine arctic char, the absolute star

The alpine arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a prized fish species typical of cold mountain waters. In Molveno, it is farmed and protected at the Fish Hatchery (Centro Ittiogenico), where the local fishermen's association manages its reproduction to preserve its genetic characteristics in a lake that also hosts trout. During the festival, the arctic char becomes the common thread of every course: from carpaccio to herb-marinated bites, from grilled fillets to gnocchi served with Trentino polenta.

The event program

The festival takes place over Saturday and Sunday with a rich calendar of events in the town center:

• "Arctic Char under the Stars" gala dinner: a multi-course tasting menu entirely dedicated to arctic char, accompanied by Trentino wines (reservation required);
• Food stalls open for lunch and dinner featuring lake fish specialties;
• Visit to the Fish Hatchery, reachable by the characteristic little train departing from the town center, to discover the stages of arctic char breeding and reproduction;
• Live music and evening entertainment, accompanying the festival days until late at night.

An opportunity to discover Molveno

The Arctic Char Festival is much more than a gastronomic event: it is a way to experience Molveno and its lake during one of the most evocative times of the year, when the nature of the Municipality of Molveno awakens beneath the walls of the Brenta group. Between tastings, visitors can stroll along the shores of the lake, considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, and explore the trails of the Paganella. The event, organized by youth groups and local associations, remains a deeply felt appointment for the community and is appreciated by tourists and enthusiasts of Trentino food and wine.