1st barbecue à la Lugano

The barbecue highlight in the Lugano region takes place at the end of August: "La Sagra della Costina". The pork ribs marinated in white wine and thyme get really crispy on an open fire. The Ticino specialty is celebrated from 30 August to 1 September 2019 at the Sagra della Costina in Lamone but also in all the better grotti and enjoys cult status among the younger generation in Ticino.

2. live music and drinks by the lake

On the same weekend, it's also worth making a detour to Lugano Marittima. Until September 1, people can meet at Lugano's harbour directly on the lakeshore at the open-air bar for a drink and live music.

3. chestnuts: the brown gold of Malcantone

The inhabitants of Malcantone are proud of their chestnuts - they are part of their cultural heritage. No wonder, as they were their staple food for a long time. They were boiled, roasted, dried and ground and turned into bread, pasta and other dishes. Chestnut time is therefore always a time of celebration. On September 29, the harvested chestnuts are roasted and served in the piazza on Chestnut Day Pro Caslano.

4. two tons of chestnuts in Arosio

An insider tip is also the chestnut festival in Arosio/Vezio on October 13. In the "Grà" of Vezio - a two-storey stone house - up to 2,000 kilos of chestnuts are roasted on the embers for several days and thus preserved over the winter period.

5th excursion to the origin of "chestnut beer"

This is also where the local brewery in Bioggio gets its roasted chestnuts from to brew its "Dragrà" beer (a seasonal brown ale). On September 14, Lugano Region offers a guided excursion.

6th "Merlot del Ticino" increasingly in the hands of women

On five Saturdays in the fall, Lugano Region is offering five visits to top wine producers in the region. The first of these will take place on September 21, 2019 at Cantina Monti in Cademario. Owner and winemaker Ivo Monti is a jack-of-all-trades and spent years traveling the world as a sailor before passionately starting to produce one of the best Merlots in the region. The Fattoria Moncucchetto winery - designed by star architect Mario Botta - will be presenting its outstanding wines under the direction of oenologist Christina Monico on October 12 and 19, 2019.

7th wine hike with goat cheese tasting

Monico also stands for a trend: more and more women are getting involved in wine production in the region. This includes Gaby Gianini from Winery Castello Morcote and the young Valentina Tamborini from the winery of the same name in Croglio. A special highlight is the guided hike on 29.9.19 at the foot of the spectacular mountain peaks "Denti della Vecchia" with a visit to the goat farm "Fattoria del Faggio". The tasting of goat's cheese with Merlot leaves nothing to be desired.

8th Lugano PasSteggia: a culinary journey on foot and by boat

This year's edition of Lugano PasSteggia on September 15 combines eight culinary stages not only on foot, but also by boat for the first time. The leisurely hike rides from Lugano to Gandria, across the lake to the Swiss Customs Museum and back to Lugano. Up to 500 participants embark on the gourmet journey in stages.

9th "Festa d'Autunno" - wine, cheese, polenta and much more

No less popular with the Luganesi is the "Festa d'Autunno" - the autumn festival. Numerous producers from the region meet in the center of Lugano from 4 to 6 October 2019 and sell wine, cheese, meat products, minestrone or polenta with Luganighetta. Free guided tours of the city will take place daily on October 5 and 6.

10th First Panettone World Championships: Only the best come to Lugano

Who will be the king of panettone? The first Panettone World Championships will take place in Lugano from November 8 to 10. Eleven finalists - bakeries and confectioners from Switzerland and Italy - made it through the pre-selection process and will have their panettone judged for the world championship title at the Lugano Exhibition Center (Centro Esposizioni). Numerous other exhibitors will be presenting their products. Around 10,000 visitors are expected.