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“There’s nothing like forgetting about your to-do lists and look up and watch the explosions. In that moment the only thoughts crossing your mind are: What color will the NEXT burst be? Will it be a big bang or the crispy crinkling kind? Will I be able to hear the echo? The pounding pop-corn bursts and the deep drum-like explosions reverberate right into your chest, your neck starts getting tired from looking up but you resist until the end. Mesmerized, the child inside you is awestruck by the beautiful colors and outrageously loud booms. Then it stops. The sky is dark again and everything goes back to normal.”
Last updated 2023.
LAKE COMO TOURS
We thought we’d do something different this year and go to Valmadrera and Malgrate to celebrate the Lecco Lake Festival. Going to another town to celebrate sounds funny eh? Well, there is some sense to this madness:
Festa del Lago Lecco, Last Sunday in June
Every year on the last Sunday in June the city of Lecco holds a festival. There are usually events like a market, music and a grand fireworks display.
The fireworks are set up on a flat barge and transported out to the middle of the lake. The best views are from the Lecco Lungo Lago promenade (in front of the Alberi Hotel) or from the promenade in Malgrate, the city on the opposite side of the Kennedy Bridge.
Our plan was to have cocktails at Parè 67 in Valmadrera and then go over to Malgrate after dark to see the firework display.
This year there was a torrential wind, rain and hail storm, so the event was postponed to the day after. We stayed for a drink at a local pub, but then had to get out. The wind swooped in and dark clouds hung low over the lake.
We called it a night, but then we heard the fireworks show would be held Monday night.
We headed over to the Canotieri, the local rowing club in Lecco which is one of the best vantage points of the lake.
The days are long in June and it doesn’t get dark until about 10 pm. The fireworks started about half an hour later at 10:30 PM.
LAKE COMO LUXURY TOURS
Towns on Lake Como with Fireworks Shows:
Menaggio Festival – mid May
Isola Comacina – Last weekend June (Sagra di San Giovanni)
Lecco – Last weekend June
Varenna- First weekend of July
Brienno – early August
Dongo – early August
Musso – mid August
Cremia – mid August
Menaggio – mid August
To find more, search in Google “Fuochi d’artificio “+ name of the city
There’s nothing like forgetting about to-do lists to look up and watch the explosions. In that moment, the only thoughts crossing your mind are: What color will the burst be? Will it be a big bang or the crispy crinkling kind? Will I be able to hear the echo? The pounding pop-corn bursts and the deep drum-like explosions reverberate right into your chest, your neck starts getting tired from looking up but you resist until the end. Mesmerized, the child inside you is awestruck by the beautiful colors and outrageously loud booms.
Then it stops. The sky is dark again and everything goes back to normal.
The calm before the storm, drinks at Parè 67 in Valmadrera
Selfie in the wind
We enjoyed the view from Valmadrera before going home
View from the Canotieri
Fireworks displays on Lake Como
Photos and article by Celia Abernethy
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Ciao, I’m Celia, your travel advisor in Italy! Ask a question or request a custom travel itinerary. I am also available as an assistant and translator for business, shopping and events. Contact me.
Originally from New York, Celia now spends her time between Milan and Lake Como sharing her discoveries and experiences living in Italy. Follow @CeliaAbernethy on Twitter