Sagra di San Giovanni Battista

The Patron Saint's Festival

In Lonato del Garda, in the province of Brescia, the patron saint is Saint John the Baptist, and his festival – which falls on June 24 – is the occasion for the town's big summer sagra. In 2026, the Sagra di San Giovanni Battista reaches its 19th edition, scheduled from June 19 to 23 at Parco delle Pozze (G. Papa park), in Località Pozze.

Five Days of Celebration

The sagra offers a rich and varied program, designed for all ages: live music, dancing with orchestras, a play area for children, and a funfair for young people. A tried-and-tested formula that makes the park the center of Lonato's evening life for almost a week, attracting families and visitors from the surrounding towns of the Brescia area of Lake Garda.

Gastronomy: Spiedo and Melonera

As with any self-respecting sagra, Lonato's also has its star dishes. The food stalls offer local specialties, with a signature dish: the spiedo bresciano, prepared by the Alpini on Saturdays. Every evening, the melonera is a must – a tasting of melon, a sweet summer tradition of the festival.

A Community Festival

The event is organized by the Parish of Lonato together with the Municipality, the NOI club, and the Alpini Association: an example of how, in the towns around Lake Garda, the patron saint's festival is still a moment of strong cohesion, built by local volunteer work and associations. For Lonato del Garda, the Sagra di San Giovanni Battista is one of the most cherished events of the summer.