Est Lake Festival

A festival with its feet in the water

The Montefiascone Lakeside, in the municipality of Montefiascone in the province of Viterbo (Lazio), is one of the most scenic spots on Lake Bolsena: a long green stretch descending from the fortified village to the shore, with the silhouette of Europe's largest volcanic lake as a backdrop. It is here that, every year around Ferragosto, the Est Lake Festival takes place, featuring four days of live music, DJ sets, street food, and entertainment with free admission.

Origins

The first edition dates back to August 2024, when GNAM Food Event brought its well-established traveling street food festival format to the lakeside, adding a full-fledged musical program. The immediate success—with thousands of attendees and local accommodations fully booked—convinced the municipal administration to permanently include the event in the city's summer calendar. The second edition, in August 2025, expanded to four evenings; in 2026, the festival reaches its third edition, confirmed by the organizers for the long Ferragosto weekend.

The Music

The formula features a large open-air stage with a themed evening for each day: vintage electronic and techno, 90s and 2000s parties, commercial DJ sets and reggaeton, and a closing night dedicated to the Italian indie scene. Over the years, well-known names from the Italian clubbing scene—from the Metempsicosi collective to DJs like Ricky Le Roy, Mario Più, and Joy Kitikonti—have taken the stage, alongside lighter selections designed for a young audience and families who flock to the lakeside in the early evening.

Street Food and Craft Beers

The gastronomic soul remains central: along the promenade, selected food trucks and stalls line up, offering Italian specialties, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, a selection of craft beers, and a cocktail area. The festival opens in the late afternoon, allowing visitors to dine while watching the sunset over the lake before the concerts begin.

What to see in Montefiascone

Visitors arriving for the festival will find one of the most characteristic villages of the Tuscia region just a few kilometers away: the Rocca dei Papi, with its viewpoint over the lake and valley, the Basilica of San Flaviano with the famous tomb of Canon Defuk linked to the legend of the Est! Est!! Est!!! wine, and of course, the wineries that produce this DOC white wine. The festival takes place just a few days after the historic local Wine Fair, with which it shares both audience and atmosphere.

Who is it for?

• Those looking for free evening music by the lake during the Ferragosto holiday
• Fans of street food, craft beer, and Italian street cuisine
• Families with children, thanks to the entertainment area and evening opening hours
• Tourists visiting Lake Bolsena and the Via Francigena, which passes directly through Montefiascone

A simple and popular event that has become one of the symbols of summer on the lake for the entire province of Viterbo.