Sagra dell'Alborella di Monvalle
Monvalle's most traditional festival, with lake fish and ballroom dancing by the Verbano
About Sagra dell'Alborella
The festival that opens the Monvalle summer
The Sagra dell'Alborella 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 on the shores of Lake Verbano opens every June at the 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 lake 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 large community celebration.
Music, dancing, and culture by the lake
Alongside the gastronomy, the Sagra dell'Alborella is marked by evenings of ballroom dancing and 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 lake cuisine dishes
- Evenings of ballroom dancing
- Food stalls at Camping Lido in Monvalle
- Cultural events and painting exhibitions
Sagra dell'Alborella — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Sagra dell'Alborella will take 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 lake gastronomy, with fried alborella as the star, ballroom dancing evenings, and dancing on the floor by the shores of Lake Verbano. The organisation is handled by Pro Loco Monvalle.
Programme Sagra dell'Alborella 2026
Two days at Camping Lido in Monvalle (programme based on the established festival model):
- Saturday — from 7 PM: opening of food stalls with typical regional dishes; from 9 PM: ballroom dancing evening
- Sunday — from 12 PM to 7 PM: kitchens open continuously; from 9 PM: music and dancing on the floor
The festival is enhanced by cultural events, such as painting exhibitions held at the Lido. The detailed programme will be announced by Pro Loco Monvalle in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Sagra dell'Alborella 2026
Fried alborella, the signature dish of lake cuisine, and ballroom dancing evenings on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Prices Sagra dell'Alborella 2026
Practical information — Sagra dell'Alborella
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, on the lake shore.
Indicative times
Food stalls open from 7 PM (Saturdays) and kitchens are open from 12 PM to 7 PM (Sundays), with dancing evenings starting at 9 PM. Organised by Pro Loco Monvalle APS.
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Where does it take place — Sagra dell'Alborella
Camping Lido di Monvalle