Caldè Fish Festival
Edition 2026 Gastronomy Local produce Sea

Caldè Fish Festival

Three days of lake and sea fish on the Caldè lakefront, on Lake Maggiore

Castelveccana — Varese (012)
Dates 06 Aug — 08 Aug 2026
Location Castelveccana (012)
Prices Free
Status Confirmed

About Fish Festival

The Fish Festival is the highlight of the summer in Caldè, a hamlet of Castelveccana overlooking Lake Maggiore, in the province of Varese. For an entire weekend at the beginning of August, the picturesque lakefront comes alive with food stalls, live concerts, aperitifs, and dancing, with lake and sea fish as the absolute stars of the table. Organized by Pro Loco Castelveccana, it is one of the most beloved and long-standing festivals on the Lombard shore of the lake, attracting thousands of visitors each year in a setting of rare beauty.

Caldè's most anticipated festival

When August arrives, the hamlet of Caldè - a small fishing village nestled in the Municipality of Castelveccana, in the province of Varese - transforms into the beating heart of summer on Lake Maggiore. The Fish Festival, organized by Pro Loco Castelveccana, is the flagship event of the local calendar: a historic event that has marked the peak of the summer season on the Lombard shore of the lake for decades.

Fish is the star

The common thread of the festival is, of course, fish, presented in all its forms: lake and sea fish offered at the food stalls in traditional dishes, from fried fish to the great classics of lake cuisine. You can eat outdoors, along the shore, with views stretching over the water and the mountains of the Piedmontese shore.

Music, aperitifs, and dancing on the lakefront

The Fish Festival is not just about food. Each evening is accompanied by concerts and live music, while the musical aperitif in Piazza Lago opens the festive afternoons. Shows, entertainment, and dancing complete a program designed for all ages, in a format that combines good food and conviviality.

One of the most beautiful views on the lake

What truly makes this festival unique is its setting: the Caldè lakefront offers an exceptional panorama of Lake Maggiore, with the famous beach and the remains of the ancient lime kilns that gave the hamlet its name. Participating in the Fish Festival means experiencing an authentic piece of lakeside Lombardy, where the tradition of the Pro Loco blends with the beauty of the landscape.

Fish Festival — edition 2026

From Friday, August 6th to Sunday, August 8th, 2026, the Fish Festival returns to Caldè: three days of lake and sea fish, musical aperitifs, concerts, and dancing on the Lake Maggiore lakefront, organized by Pro Loco Castelveccana.

The 2026 edition of the Fish Festival takes place in Caldè, Castelveccana, from Friday, August 6th to Sunday, August 8th. Three days dedicated to lake and sea fish, with food stalls, musical aperitifs in Piazza Lago, and live concerts every evening, in the evocative setting of the Lake Maggiore lakefront. The event has free admission and is organized by Pro Loco Castelveccana.

Programme Fish Festival 2026

Friday, August 6th

  • 5:00 PM — Bar opening and musical aperitif in Piazza Lago
  • 6:30 PM — Food stall opening (lake and sea fish)
  • 8:00 PM — Concert and live music

Saturday, August 7th

  • 5:00 PM — Bar opening and musical aperitif in Piazza Lago
  • 6:30 PM — Food stall opening
  • 8:00 PM — Concert and live music

Sunday, August 8th

  • 11:45 AM — Aperitif in Piazza Lago
  • 12:15 PM — Food stall opening (lunch and dinner)
  • 8:00 PM — Concert and closing dance evening

The detailed program with band names will be published by Pro Loco Castelveccana in the weeks preceding the festival.

Highlights Fish Festival 2026

The lake and sea fish dishes and the evening concerts on the Caldè lakefront, overlooking Lake Maggiore.

Prices Fish Festival 2026

Free entry. Food and drinks at the stalls are paid.

Practical information — Fish Festival

When

First weekend of August (Friday-Sunday). Stalls open: Friday and Saturday from 6:30 PM, Sunday from 12:15 PM. Musical aperitif in Piazza Lago from 5:00 PM.

Where

Caldè lakefront, hamlet of Castelveccana (VA), on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore. Reachable by car along the SS629 of Lake Maggiore; the nearest train station is Caldè on the Luino-Gallarate line.

Admission

Free entry.

Information

Pro Loco Castelveccana, tel. 0332 520494.

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 — Fish Festival

Lungolago di Caldè

Piazza Lago, Caldè, 21010 Castelveccana

Contact Fish Festival

Tel
+39 0332 520494

Fish Festival in brief

Gastronomy Local produce Sea Folk traditions Folklore Outdoor Free Varese

History of Fish Festival