BARDOLINO’S 95TH GRAPE AND WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS FROM 1 TO 5 OCTOBER, WITH MORE THAN 30 FOOD AND WINE STALLS, 1,000 VOLUNTEERS, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND A SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY OVER LAKE GARDA


Bardolino is preparing to host one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the autumn on Lake Garda. From 1 to 5 October, the Grape and Wine Festival returns for its 95th edition, bringing five days of wine tastings, music, entertainment and long-standing local traditions to the lakeside town.

Organised by the Fondazione Bardolino Top and the Municipality of Bardolino, together with local associations, the festival will spread across the lakeside promenade, historic centre, squares and public parks. More than 30 food and wine stands will be set up, with around 1,000 volunteers involved in making the event happen.

“The Grape and Wine Festival tells the story of who we are, our history and our identity,” says Daniele Bertasi, Mayor of Bardolino, highlighting the event’s importance to the community and its enduring connection with wine and the surrounding countryside.

The festivities begin on Thursday 1 October, with the opening of the lakeside stands and the official ribbon-cutting ceremony at Villa Terzi. That evening, Parco Carrara Bottagisio will host the opening party, featuring Radio Pico Weekendance.

Among this year’s new attractions is a special commemorative dress for the Grape and Wine Festival, handmade and embroidered by members of the local Ucia e Pesseta association. Another new initiative is “Wine & Art”, which will bring videomapping and artistic projections to Villa Terzi.

Sustainability will also feature prominently, with water cartons replacing traditional single-use plastic bottles.

The weekend will see the festival move into full swing, with walks through vineyards and olive groves, live music, a creative crafts market, exhibitions and displays of vintage Landini tractors.

Sunday 4 October will be the most traditional day of the festival, featuring the parade, flag throwers and the historic grape-stomping ceremony, “Come se fasèa el vin”. The programme will also include the Corsa dei Pollicini and the presentation of prizes in the wine competition.

Then, at 10pm on Sunday, comes the event’s most eagerly awaited spectacle: a spectacular fireworks and music show over Lake Garda, which attracts thousands of spectators every year.

The festival will draw to a close on Monday 5 October with the “Concerto Divino” at the Sala della Disciplina, followed from 8pm by the dance evening “I Remember Yesterday” at Parco Carrara Bottagisio.

Wine, naturally, remains at the heart of the celebrations. Thirty-two wines have been awarded prizes in the 16th edition of the Municipality of Bardolino’s wine competition, representing 23 wineries from across the denomination’s production area. The awards ceremony will take place on Sunday at 6pm.

Visitors will also benefit from dedicated parking facilities, shuttle services and transport links. New this year is an evening return bus to the northern end of Lake Garda, running from Bardolino to Malcesine, allowing visitors to make their way home safely after the evening events.

As it approaches its centenary, Bardolino’s Grape and Wine Festival remains firmly rooted in the traditions that have defined it for generations: wine, heritage, community and hospitality. For five days, the lakeside town will once again become one of the focal points of autumn on Lake Garda.