Valsolda Castle Festival
Medieval re-enactment in the village of Castello, above Lake Lugano
About Castle Festival
A Village Transported to the Middle Ages
Once a year, at the end of September, the village of Castello — one of the hamlets of Valsolda, perched above Lake Lugano — dresses up in historical attire. The Castle Festival, organized by the Compagnia del Castello association, fills the alleys with costumed figures, encampments, a medieval market, and shows, in a re-enactment that has attracted several thousand people over the weekend in recent years.
Shows, Workshops, and Gastronomy
Along the village streets, there are performances by jesters and costumed figures, workshops for children, literary spaces, and cellars and courtyards open to the public. The gastronomic aspect is not forgotten, with dishes served in areas set up among the village houses. Some editions have had a central theme — from the knighting of a Templar knight to a grand chess game with costumed figures — developed throughout the two days of the festival.
Valsolda and Lake Lugano
Valsolda is a municipality in the province of Como, in Lombardy, spread across hamlets overlooking Lake Lugano (Ceresio) on the border with Switzerland. The village of Castello, with its historic layout and panoramic position, offers the ideal setting for a re-enactment that has become one of the most recognizable events of autumn in the lower Ceresio area.
Castle Festival — edition 2026
The Valsolda Castle Festival returns in 2026, following the tradition of being held on a weekend at the end of September in the village of Castello. The Compagnia del Castello usually publishes the final date, theme, and detailed program in the weeks preceding the event. The characteristic elements of the festival remain: medieval re-enactment with costumed figures, market, shows, workshops for children, and gastronomic areas among the village alleys.
Programme Castle Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including the year's theme if any, will be announced by the Compagnia del Castello closer to the event. Based on previous editions, the festival unfolds over two days with: entry of costumed figures, medieval market, jester shows, workshops for children, literary spaces, and gastronomy with cellars and courtyards open to the public.
Highlights Castle Festival 2026
Medieval re-enactment with costumed figures, market, and shows in the village of Castello.
Prices Castle Festival 2026
Practical information — Castle Festival
When
A weekend at the end of September (the 2025 edition was held on September 27-28). The 2026 date will be announced by the Compagnia del Castello closer to the event.
Where
Borgo di Castello, hamlet of Valsolda (CO), overlooking Lake Lugano.
Admission
Event organized by the Compagnia del Castello. Information and updates on the association's Facebook page.
How to get there
Valsolda can be reached by car along the road from Porlezza on Lake Lugano; the village of Castello is located in the upper part of the municipality.
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Where does it take place — Castle Festival
Borgo di Castello (frazione di Valsolda)
Borgo di Castello, 22010 Valsolda