Lake Garda events for the weekend of 6 to 8 November 2026 revolve around three major dates: the Garda Trentino Half Marathon between Arco and Riva del Garda, the San Martino festival in Peschiera del Garda and the Frantoi Aperti (Open Olive Mills) event in Garda Trentino. On Saturday evening, singer Iva Zanicchi performs at the theatre in Castiglione delle Stiviere, and Handel’s Messiah is staged in the Duomo of Desenzano. Sunday is also the day of the IV Novembre commemorations in many lakeside towns.
Weather forecast for the weekend
Friday 6 November brings light rain, with temperatures between 6 and 13 degrees Celsius, a chance of showers and light wind. Saturday 7 November is similar: light rain, 8 to 13 degrees, possible showers and light wind. Sunday 8 November is overcast, with 6 to 14 degrees and light wind.
Garda Trentino Half Marathon in Riva del Garda and Arco
The Garda Trentino Half Marathon reaches its 24th edition with 7,300 registered runners, and places sold out six months in advance. The programme opens on Friday 6 November at 3 pm with the inauguration of the Expo and the start of bib distribution. On Sunday 8 November the Run4Fun starts from Torbole, at the Casa del Dazio, while the 10K starts from the Palafiere exhibition centre in Riva del Garda, followed by the 21K.
Frantoi Aperti in Garda Trentino
On Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, Frantoi Aperti returns as part of the Mese del Gusto (Month of Taste) programme, with the new EVO Pass: a free passport available at info points and at the participating olive mills. On Sunday, the Sentiero dell’Olivo (Olive Tree Trail) in Arco hosts the guided walk “Lungo la via dell’oro verde” (Along the Green Gold Road).
Friday 6 November
Friday evening is dedicated to theatre. In Castelletto di Brenzone sul Garda, the Su il sipario season presents the comedy Le baruffe in famegia by the Prova company at the Garda Family House, at 8:30 pm, with free admission. In Soiano del Lago, the council hall at via Ciucani 5 hosts the show “Dov’è Nikolajewka?” at 8:30 pm, with free admission.
Books and talks take place in several towns. In Garda, Palazzo Pincini Carlotti welcomes author Veronica Santoro for the “Garda incontra l’autore” series, free from 6 pm. In Sirmione, the Biblioteca Comunale (town library) hosts a talk at 9 pm on the Brescian Renaissance of Romanino, Moretto and Savoldo, led by Fabio Larovere of the Università Cattolica. In Riva del Garda, the library offers yoga and books from 6 pm, free but booking is required, with a maximum of 15 places. In Gargnano, a board-game afternoon runs from 3:30 pm to 6 pm, with free admission.
Saturday 7 November
In Peschiera del Garda, the Festa di San Martino begins and runs until Wednesday 11 November. It features food stands at the Porto Centrale, the Palio di voga veneta (Venetian-style rowing race) in the Canale di Mezzo and, on the evening of the patron saint, the Incendio dei Voltoni, a fireworks and music show. On the first day the festival opens at 10 am.
Also from 7 November, Movieland park in Lazise (via Fossalta 58) starts Natale all’Improvviso, four weekends of shows, entertainment and festive atmosphere.
Events running all weekend
In Lazise, the 6th International Amadeus Competition continues until Sunday in Piazzetta Partenio. In Castelnuovo del Garda, the Antica Fiera di Cavalcaselle, a traditional fair, runs from Friday to Sunday in via San Lorenzo.
In Valeggio sul Mincio, the Parco Giardino Sigurtà hosts its Festival d’Autunno until 15 November, amid the colours of autumn foliage, along with Il Sigillo Spezzato (The Broken Seal), a game trail for children. In Bussolengo, Parco Natura Viva offers its Family Halloween until 8 November, with a roaming show, carved pumpkins and animals exploring them in their habitats.
In Lonato del Garda, the Rocca (castle) hosts the exhibition BENÀCUS by Giorgio Attilio Mutti in the Sala del Capitano. At the Santuario di San Martino, the series “Voci a San Martino”, with the Coro Anima Vocis and the Gruppo Corale Maranina, is scheduled at 5 pm until 15 November.
Filming on the water at Gargnano
Filming of Murder on Lake Garda, a new Disney+ series, takes place in the waters off Gargnano from 8 am to 7 pm every day until 7 November. In November, Gargnano also runs the Vivi Gargnano calendar, including a series of readings and workshops for children that continues from Halloween to Christmas, with free admission.
