Monvalle Alborella Festival
Monvalle's most traditional festival, with lake fish and ballroom dancing by Lake Verbano
About Alborella Festival
The festival that opens the Monvalle summer
The Alborella Festival is the most traditional of the festivals in Monvalle, a town on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore in the province of Varese. With the aroma of fried alborella and the sounds of ballroom music, the season of village festivals by Lake Verbano opens every June at Camping Lido.
The alborella, queen of the lake
The absolute star is the alborella, a small freshwater fish typical of Lake Maggiore, which has been a staple of lakeside cuisine on these shores for centuries. The food stalls offer typical regional dishes, with fried alborella taking pride of place. The festival thus combines the flavours of Lake Verbano with the conviviality of a great community celebration.
Music, dancing, and culture by the lake
Alongside the food, the Alborella Festival is marked by evenings of dancing dedicated to ballroom music and lively music on the dance floor. The event, which local tradition traces back to the 1930s, is also enriched by cultural moments, such as painting exhibitions held at the Lido. Everything is managed by the volunteers of Pro Loco Monvalle, guardians of a tradition that combines local flavours, music, and culture on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
What to expect
- Fried alborella and typical lakeside dishes
- Evenings of dancing dedicated to ballroom music
- Food stalls at Camping Lido in Monvalle
- Cultural events and painting exhibitions
Alborella Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Alborella Festival takes place on June 13 and 14 at Camping Lido in Monvalle. With the aroma of alborella and the sounds of ballroom music, the most traditional of the town's festivals opens: two days of lakeside gastronomy, featuring fried alborella, evening dances, and music on the dance floor by Lake Verbano. Organized by Pro Loco Monvalle.
Programme Alborella Festival 2026
Two days at Camping Lido in Monvalle (program based on the established festival format):
- Saturday — from 7 PM: opening of food stalls with typical regional dishes; from 9 PM: dancing evening dedicated to ballroom music
- Sunday — from 12 PM to 7 PM: continuous food service; from 9 PM: music and dancing
The festival is enhanced by cultural events, such as painting exhibitions held at the Lido. The detailed program will be announced by Pro Loco Monvalle in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Alborella Festival 2026
Fried alborella, the signature dish of lakeside cuisine, and ballroom dancing evenings by Lake Maggiore.
Prices Alborella Festival 2026
Practical information — Alborella Festival
How to get there
Monvalle is located on the Lombard shore of Lake Maggiore, in the province of Varese. By car, it can be reached from the A8 motorway (Sesto Calende or Besozzo exit); Monvalle-Cellina station is on the Gallarate-Laveno line. The festival takes place at Camping Lido, by the lake.
Indicative times
Food stalls open from 7 PM (Saturdays) and kitchens are open from 12 PM to 7 PM (Sundays), with dancing evenings starting from 9 PM. Organized by Pro Loco Monvalle APS.
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Where does it take place — Alborella Festival
Camping Lido di Monvalle