Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival at Lake Smeraldo

The Lantern Festival is a summer event that brings the shores of Lake Smeraldo to life—a small, enchanting body of water nestled in the greenery of Fondo, a village in the municipality of Borgo d'Anaunia, in the heart of the Val di Non, Trentino-Alto Adige. Organized by the Pro Loco Fondo APS, the festival blends the magic of a collective ritual with the natural beauty of the Anaunia landscape, offering a deeply evocative evening for families, couples, and visitors alike.

A ritual of light and wishes

The highlight of the event is the release of biodegradable floating lanterns onto the lake. At sunset, the lanterns are lit simultaneously and set free on the surface of Lake Smeraldo as everyone makes a wish: a spectacle of lights reflecting on the water that creates unforgettable emotions. This popular tradition, reinterpreted here with a local touch, transforms the lake into a luminous carpet as night falls.

The day's program

The festival unfolds throughout the day with various activities designed for both adults and children:

• Afternoon (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM): A lantern-making workshop for children, guided step-by-step by our entertainers;
• From 6:00 PM: Aperitivo featuring local products accompanied by live music on the lake shore;
• At sunset (around 9:00 PM - 9:30 PM): Lighting and collective release of the lanterns on Lake Smeraldo.

Those who do not participate in the afternoon workshop can purchase lanterns directly on-site, while supplies last.

Environmental awareness

The Lantern Festival is deeply committed to protecting the delicate ecosystem of Lake Smeraldo. The lanterns used are entirely biodegradable, and at the end of the event, the Pro Loco Fondo ensures they are all retrieved: a net is positioned near the waterfall to catch the lanterns, allowing for their collection and ensuring no waste is left in the water.

Val di Non and Lake Smeraldo

Lake Smeraldo in Fondo owes its name to the intense green hues of its waters and is one of the most beloved natural destinations in the Val di Non, famous throughout Trentino for its apple orchards and alpine landscapes. The wide shores of the lake provide the ideal setting for an event that celebrates the territory and the traditions of the Borgo d'Anaunia community.