Lake Garda
Autumn brings with it warm colors, intense flavors, and a sense of calm that invites discovery. In the wonderful setting of Garda Trentino, this season is even more special thanks to the Mese del Gusto, an unmissable event for lovers of good food and wine. This festival, held between October and November, transforms the northern part of the lake into a gastronomic feast, with a series of fairs, markets, and festivals celebrating local cuisine and typical products.
Let’s explore together the most delicious events of Mese del Gusto.
Date: October 5, 2024
Location: Tiarno di Sotto
The San Francesco Fair opens the rich calendar of the Mese del Gusto. This traditional event, held every year in October, is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic flavors of Val di Ledro.
During the fair, local exhibitors offer agricultural and artisanal products, which you can taste or buy at the market, open from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Among the stalls, you’ll find fresh cheeses, cured meats, buckwheat and potato polenta, and typical Trentino desserts. The day will also feature music from the band “Vagabondi” starting at 1:00 PM.
Date: October 5-6, 2024
Location: Lasino
In Lasino, a small village in the Valle dei Laghi, the Pumpkin and Winter Vegetables Festival celebrates the flavors of the colder seasons. During this weekend, you can enjoy creative dishes made with pumpkins and other seasonal vegetables, and witness the awarding of the heaviest pumpkin, the most beautiful one, and the one with the most unusual shape.
In addition to tastings, there will be local product markets, educational activities for children, and culinary workshops. An ideal event for those who love simple yet genuine cuisine and want to explore the agricultural traditions of the valley.
Date: October 6, 2024
Location: Via Longa 86/92, Val di Gresta
The Val di Gresta Market Exhibition is a must for organic farming enthusiasts, now in its 54th edition. Famous for its high-quality vegetables, Val di Gresta celebrates its agricultural excellence with a day dedicated to healthy, natural food.
You can stroll among stalls filled with fresh vegetables, artisanal honey, and organic preserves, and visit the exhibition of vintage tractors. There will also be tastings and meetings with local producers, who will share the secrets of their land and their farming practices.
Date: October 4-6, 2024
Location:
If you love fish, the Freshwater Fish Festival is the event for you.
This festival takes place in three of the most picturesque locations in Garda Trentino: Riva del Garda, Torbole, and Arco.
Over three days, restaurateurs and chefs will offer creative dishes made from fish sourced from the fresh waters of the lake and the many streams flowing through the area. Tastings, cooking shows, and themed dinners will make this event an unforgettable experience for your palate and your eyes, thanks to the beautiful lake scenery.
Date: October 12, 2024
Location: Fiavè
The Milk Festival celebrates one of the most genuine and appreciated products of the Trentino mountains. In Fiavè, among farms, museums, and archaeological parks, you’ll have the opportunity to discover the milk production process, from milking to transforming it into cheeses and yogurt.
You can participate in educational workshops and tastings of fresh, genuine products from the mountain farms in the area. The Milk Festival in Fiavè is the perfect event for families with children who want to learn while having fun, as well as for those who appreciate the authentic flavors of Trentino’s alpine dairies.
Date: October 18-20, 2024
Location: Campo Lomaso
The Lomaso Potato Festival is dedicated to one of the most representative vegetables of Trentino. During the three days of the event, Campo Lomaso becomes the meeting point for those who want to discover the secrets of this precious tuber: typical dishes made with Lomaso potatoes, agricultural product markets, and culinary demonstrations are just some of the event’s attractions, focusing on a local variety of potatoes.
It’s a perfect occasion to discover new recipes and combinations.
Date: October 19-20, 2024
Location: Dro and Drena – Via Don Camillo Corradini 5
Autumn is also chestnut season, and Dro and Drena celebrate this fruit with the Chestnut Festival. During the weekend, the streets of the towns fill with stands where you can enjoy hot roasted chestnuts and chestnut-based dishes. You can also participate in local wine tastings, cooking shows, folkloric performances, and children’s workshops. An event that, with its circus performances, markets, and live music, offers two days of fun for the whole family.
Date: October 25-26, 2024
Location: Valle dei Laghi
Reboro and Cannonau: two very different wines, but both rich in history and tradition. Reboro is a symbolic wine of the Valle dei Laghi, and this event celebrates its production and the passion behind it. However, during Reboro, Territory & Passion, you will also have the opportunity to participate in guided tastings of Cannonau di Mamoiada, the iconic wine of Sardinia, hosted in this edition.
The tastings will be accompanied by typical local products. A perfect event for wine lovers who want to learn more about the vinicultural and gastronomic excellence of Valle dei Laghi.
Date: November 2-3, 2024
Location: Riva del Garda
For extra virgin olive oil enthusiasts, Open Oil Mills is a unique opportunity to discover the secrets of olive oil production. During this weekend, the oil mills of Garda Trentino open their doors to the public, offering guided tours and tastings of DOP extra virgin olive oil.
You can watch the olive pressing process and purchase this precious liquid gold directly from the producers, accompanying the experience with snacks, citrus liqueurs, and other local products.
Date: November 8-10, 2024
Location: Cavrasto
The Walnut Festival closes Mese del Gusto in style. In Cavrasto, this autumn fruit is the star of an event showcasing local culinary creativity. From cakes to creams, from preserves to roasted walnuts, the variety of walnut-based products is astonishing. There will also be local product markets, gastronomic workshops, and tastings to satisfy all tastes.
Mese del Gusto in Garda Trentino is a feast for all the senses, a celebration of local traditions and typical products that makes autumn a magical season in this splendid region.
The fairs in Riva del Garda and surrounding areas are perfect for those seeking a vacation filled with good food, relaxation, and the discovery of unique flavors. Don’t miss the chance to experience these events. If you’re looking for a special place to stay, Residence Centro Vela is the ideal choice for an unforgettable vacation, in any season!