There is a precise moment when Lake Garda sheds its purely beach-resort guise to transform into a vibrant, open-air stage, where the water mirrors the lights of artistry and the summer breeze fills with timeless melodies. If you are wondering what to do and see on Lake Garda during your holidays, the answer awaits you this year within the historic walls of Peschiera del Garda and the timeless elegance of Verona.
From 24 July to 1 August 2026, the fourth edition of the Garda Festival – Lake Garda International Festival promises to be the most captivating cultural experience of the summer, guided by an evocative theme that invites exploration: “Beyond the Surface”.
Organised by the prestigious Fondo Niccolò Piccinni under the expert artistic direction of Maximilien Seren-Piccinni, the festival features five special events, all with free entry, set in exceptional locations declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. This is a unique opportunity for tourists to experience great music and theatre within historical settings of rare beauty.
“This year’s theme stems from a specific desire: to go beyond appearances to look inside things, exploring the human soul in a deeper way,” explains Artistic Director Maximilien Seren-Piccinni. “By letting ourselves be guided by art, we will discover that those mysteries, once revealed, are by no means a threat, but a great, extraordinary discovery, capable of bringing wonder and making us finally feel closer to one another.”
The Garda Festival 2026 Programme: what to see and where to go
If you love the crossover of genres—from pop to jazz, all the way to grand opera—here are the events to include in your Lake Garda travel itinerary:
✨ Live Lake Garda: Unique Experiences Handpicked for You
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- Friday 24 July (21:15) | Peschiera del Garda, Teatro Estivo Caserma d’Artiglieria di Porta VeronaJacopo Taddei and Filippo Farinelli – Shaping the Curve: a special evening dedicated to the marriage of saxophone and piano, reinterpreting cinema’s greatest soundtracks with virtuosity, elegance, and jazz nuances. An unmissable concert that will also include an exclusive preview of their upcoming album.
- Saturday 25 July (19:15) | Peschiera del Garda, Teatro Estivo Caserma d’Artiglieria di Porta VeronaDonatella Rettore – Splendida-Mente: the provocative, anti-conformist pop icon of Italian music will share her story without filters in an exclusive talk. A journey through anecdotes, provocations, and her legendary hits (from Splendido Splendente and Kobra to tracks from her new album Antidiva Putiferio). During the evening, the artist will receive the prestigious 2026 Garda Swan Award (Premio Cigno del Garda).
- Sunday 26 July (21:15) | Peschiera del Garda, Teatro Estivo Caserma d’Artiglieria di Porta VeronaI Musici Piccinniani – The Mozart Wunderkammer: to celebrate 270 years since the birth of Mozart, an ensemble of extraordinarily talented young Italian musicians (violin, viola, and cello) will lead you into a musical “chamber of wonders”, exploring the early works of the Salzburg genius.
- Friday 31 July (21:15) | Peschiera del Garda, Chiesa di San MartinoVittorio Benaglia – Viola Nocturna: in the magnificent setting of the Church of San Martino, the talented violist born in 1999 (who has already been applauded at New York’s Carnegie Hall) will guide the audience on a twilight, immersive musical journey—perfect for savouring the charm of the night on the lake.
- Saturday 1 August (21:15) | Verona, Conservatorio “Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco”44th Piccinni Award – Pier Luigi Pizzi and Elena Moșuc: the grand finale moves to Verona. An evening of pure theatrical and operatic excellence featuring the award presentation to the legendary director and set designer Pier Luigi Pizzi, and the extraordinary Swiss-Romanian soprano Elena Moșuc, an international star of Belcanto, accompanied by rising stars of the opera world.
Territory, local excellence, and flavours: Garda DOC Brut
The Garda Festival is not just an event for the eyes and ears; it celebrates the identity of the region in its entirety, offering tourists the chance to discover the very best of local Made in Italy craftsmanship.
Wine lovers will be able to toast to the beauty of the lake thanks to Cantine Vitevis (the event’s main partner), which has created an exclusive limited-edition label dedicated to the festival for its bottles of Garda DOC Brut: the perfect way to indulge in a refined local aperitif before the performances begin.
Furthermore, art meets the centuries-old artisan tradition of Veronese marble: from this year, the Piccinni Award transforms into a splendid statue sculpted thanks to the Verona Stone District and the Marble School of the Istituto San Zeno in Verona, making the deep bond between culture and the local territory beautifully tangible.
Practical tips for visitors
| Detail | Information |
| Price | All 5 events are free of charge with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. |
| How to attend | As these are highly anticipated events with limited seating, it is advisable to arrive at the venues about 30–40 minutes early. This also offers the perfect opportunity to admire the sunset over the Habsburg fortifications in Peschiera or along the historic alleys of Verona. |
| Information | To browse the full details of the schedule, visit the official website: www.gardafestival.com. |
Let yourself be captivated by a different kind of summer on the Benaco: this year, Lake Garda invites you to look “Beyond the Surface”, where great music meets the wonder of travel.
Ciao dear Outdoors!
Silvia Turazza
