Let me tell you, there is still a lot of things to do in Lake Como in September. The summer crowds thin out, the water’s still warm enough to swim in, and the lake’s cultural calendar is still busy. Lake Como events in September 2026 include design festivals, wine tastings, art exhibitions closing out their run, and local fairs, all within a short drive or boat ride of each other.
I went through every official source I could find (comune calendars, venue websites, and the festivals’ own pages), so every date and location below is confirmed directly from the event itself. Here’s exactly what’s on if you’re wondering what to do in Lake Como in September 2026.
Quick Navigation
Lake Como Events in September 2026: Como Town
Como’s old town packs the most into September of anywhere on the lake: three separate festivals overlap in the back half of the month, plus two art exhibitions that close before October.
Lake Como Design Festival 2026: September 12–20
Dates: September 12–20, 2026
Where: Villa del Grumello, Villa Saporiti, Serra del Grumello and other venues across Como, plus Cantiere Ernesto Riva in Laglio
More info: lakecomodesignfestival.com
Now in its eighth edition, this design and architecture festival brings exhibitions, installations and talks to historic villas and hidden spaces around the city. This year’s theme, “Confine” (Border), explores creative boundaries across nine days.
Insider tip: Villa del Grumello and Villa Saporiti are a 10-minute walk apart along the lakefront, so it’s easy to see both without a car. Pair the visit with my guide to Como’s Old Town for a full day out.
“Capolavori dalla Tate”: Turner’s Watercolours of Lake Como (Closing September 27)
Dates: Open now, closing September 27, 2026
Where: Palazzo del Broletto (Piazza Duomo), Pinacoteca Civica (Via Diaz 84) and San Pietro in Atrio (Via Odescalchi 3), Como
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30)
More info: comune.como.it
Seven J.M.W. Turner watercolours of Como and the lake, organized by the Comune di Como with Tate London, plus a contemporary companion show at San Pietro in Atrio. If you only have time for one exhibition this trip, this is the one. It’s a rare chance to see 19th-century depictions of the exact views you’ll be looking at from the shore.
“Como: Impressioni ad Acquerello” (Closing September 29)
Dates: Open now, closing September 29, 2026
Where: Pinacoteca Civica, Via Diaz 84, Como
More info: comune.como.it
About 30 watercolours of the lake landscape by three local artists (Anna Castiglioni, Pierantonio Lorini and Giuliana Valli), shown at the same venue as the Turner exhibition above, so it’s easy to see both in one visit.
Festival della Luce (Lake Como): September 24 – October 2
Dates: September 24 – October 2, 2026
Where: Como, centered on Piazza Verdi
More info: fondazionealessandrovolta.it
13th edition, themed “Fotonica: illuminare il futuro.” Piazza Verdi turns into a science village with a yurt and interactive pavilions, covering quantum tech, telecoms, medicine and astrophysics. Three Nobel laureates in Physics are confirmed as speakers.
Lake Como Creativity Week 2026: September 28 – October 4
Dates: September 28 – October 4, 2026
Where: Como plus towns across the Lario district: Cantù, Erba, Cernobbio, Torno and more
More info: lakecomocreativityweek.it
A district-wide week of design, craft and culture, including the Festival del Legno (furniture and woodworking) in Cantù, open days at the Silk Museum and historic mills, and the 35th Miniartextil textile-art exhibition. This overlaps with both the Design Festival and Festival della Luce above, so the last week of September is genuinely the single busiest cultural stretch of the year in Como.
🏰 Keep Reading
What to See in Como: 10 Amazing Things to See in the Old Town (2026 Guide)
The medieval walled town at the heart of the lake, worth pairing with any of the festivals above. Read more →
Events Around the Lake: Varenna, Bellagio & Tremezzina
Varenna Festival 2026: Classical Music Evenings
Confirmed date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 (first of three classical-music evenings at Chiesa di Santa Marta; confirmed by local press on August 28, 2026, though the other two dates hadn’t been announced yet at the time of writing)
Where: Chiesa di Santa Marta, Varenna
Source: claudiobottagisi.com
Full program (check closer to the date): varennaturismo.com
The classical-music leg of the seventh Varenna Festival, held inside the town’s atmospheric former church. Insider tip: the official Varenna Turismo events page hadn’t posted the individual concert listing yet as of this writing (it tends to go up just a week or two ahead, not months), so check back or watch local press for the full three-concert program.
🎨 Keep Reading
What to See in Varenna: 6 Best Sights on Lake Como
The quiet eastern shore, and the lake’s most photogenic waterfront. Read more →
Bellagio Wine Festival 2026: September 18
Dates: September 18, 2026
Where: Bellagio
More info: bellagiowinefestival.it
A one-day wine-tasting festival in the village, featuring regional and Italian producers.
Insider tip: The Bellagio ferry gets busy on weekends even outside festival days, so if you’re coming for the wine festival specifically, don’t stay until very late and expect to be able to get on the last boat out of Bellagio.
🌉 Keep Reading
What to See in Bellagio: Secrets, Scenery & Lakeside Beauty
The lake’s “Pearl”: silk history, views, and hidden corners. Read more →
Villa Carlotta: “Dinastie d’Europa sul Lago di Como” (Opens September 19)
Dates: Opens September 19, 2026, runs through December 8, 2026
Where: Villa Carlotta, Tremezzina
More info: villacarlotta.it
A new exhibition on the villa’s most international period, from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, with documents, photos and furnishings tied to the European royal figures who stayed there.
🌷 Keep Reading
What to See in Villa Carlotta: Botanical Gardens & Art 2026
Botanical gardens and world-class art on 70,000 square meters. Read more →
Things to Do Near Lecco in September 2026
The southeastern arm of the lake has its own packed municipal calendar for September. All four of these come straight from Lecco’s official events page.
- Runvinata Skyrace 2026: Saturday, September 5, 2026. Mountain running race starting/finishing at Oratorio Caleotto, Lecco.
- “Lecco Scapigliata” guided tours: September 19–20, 2026. Villa Gomes and Villa Ponchielli, exploring the Scapigliatura art movement’s ties to Lecco.
- Festival della Lingua Italiana: September 25–27, 2026. Palazzo delle Paure and Teatro della Società, an Italian-language festival organized with Fondazione Treccani.
- “Hokusai” guided tours: Sundays, September 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2026, at 16:00. Recurring guided tour of the Hokusai exhibition at Palazzo delle Paure.
More info for all four: comune.lecco.it
Events in Erba, a Short Drive From the Lake
LarioFiere in Erba, about 20 minutes south of Como, hosts two fairs worth knowing about if you’re staying nearby.
- Lariocreativa: September 18–20, 2026. A hobby and handmade-craft fair with courses, workshops and creative shopping. More info: lariocreativa.it
- Lario Sposi: September 26–27, 2026. A regional wedding-industry trade fair. More info: fieresposi.it
FAQ: Lake Como in September
What events are happening in Lake Como in September 2026?
The Lake Como Design Festival (Sept 12–20), Festival della Luce (Sept 24–Oct 2) and Lake Como Creativity Week (Sept 28–Oct 4) anchor Como town, while Varenna, Bellagio and Villa Carlotta each have their own September events on the eastern and western shores. See the full list above for exact dates and locations.
Is September a good time to visit Lake Como?
Yes, September is widely considered one of the best shoulder-season months: warm enough to swim, noticeably fewer tour groups than July and August, and this is when the lake’s cultural calendar is at its busiest. For a broader month-by-month breakdown of weather and crowds, see my guide to the best months to visit Lake Como.
Are Lake Como’s September festivals free to attend?
Most of them, yes: the Design Festival, Festival della Luce, Creativity Week and the Como art exhibitions are all free to enter. The Bellagio Wine Festival and Lariocreativa typically charge for tastings or workshops; check each event’s official site (linked above) for current pricing.
How do I get from Como to Bellagio or Varenna for these events?
The lake ferry is the cheapest, and sometimes easiest option and connects Como, Bellagio, Varenna and Tremezzina directly. For a faster or more flexible option, see my guide to the best boat tours on Lake Como.
That’s the full picture for Lake Como events in September 2026. I’ll keep this page updated if more dates are announced before the month arrives, so bookmark it and check back.
Ready to Explore More?
Best Months to Visit Lake Como: Weather & Travel Advice
When to go for fewer crowds, better light, and lower prices.
Where to Stay in Lake Como: Best Towns & Hotels (2026 Guide)
Our top picks for a home base, town by town.
Lake Como Summer Events 2026 You’ll Love
Concerts, markets, and lakeside traditions from earlier in the year.
Parking in Como: Avoid Fines & Find the Best Spots
Avoid fines: know the ZTL zones before you drive to any of these events.
How to Find a Taxi in Como: 2026 Tourist Guide & Best Apps
The apps and ranks that actually work when you need a ride to Erba or Lecco.