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There is a very precise moment every summer when Bellano changes pace. The lights grow warmer, the lanes begin to smell of lake air and charcoal, and people naturally gather beneath the same lanterns. That moment has a name: Agoni in Contrada, one of the most authentic events on Lake Como.
It is not just a dinner, but a true local experience that lets you step into the soul of the village.
Every year, on the second Saturday of July from 7.30 pm, the historic centre comes alive.
For 2026, mark the date: Saturday 18 July.
Via Manzoni and the carruggi become the beating heart of the event: open-air tables, hanging lights, checked tablecloths and the unmistakable scent of traditional Larian cooking.
It is one of those Lake Como experiences where all you need to do is slow down.
The agone, in other words Lake Como’s small sardine-like fish, is the star of the evening. Traditionally it is dried in the sun, then cooked over charcoal or marinated in carpione. Our grandmothers used to say that “one dried agone a day keeps your worries away”. I cannot guarantee it works, but it certainly lifts the spirits. It is prepared using time-honoured methods:
This is where the famous missoltini come from, one of the most iconic dishes in the local food tradition.
It is exactly this kind of authentic cooking that makes events such as Agoni in Contrada so different from an ordinary village food festival.
During the evening, you can follow a genuine food trail through the different contrade.
The advice is simple: do not stop at the first stand, explore the whole route.
If you are wondering what to do in Bellano in summer, this is one of the most genuine experiences worth trying.
From 6.00 pm onwards you can already feel the atmosphere and avoid the queues.
Follow the aromas and let yourself be guided through the lanes.
Between the harbour and the piazzas, the sunset over the lake is part of the spectacle.
Asking for tips or recipes is the best way to experience the event properly.
To organise your trip, you may also find it useful to read the best way to get around Lake Como.
On the second Saturday of July every year.
No, entry is free.
Traditional Lake Como dishes, especially missoltini and other lake fish specialities.
In Bellano’s historic centre, between Via Manzoni and the carruggi lanes.
Agoni in Contrada is one of the best examples of an authentic experience on Lake Como. It is not staged for tourists, but open to anyone who wants to discover the truest side of the area: tradition, conviviality and local cooking. It is an evening that comes to life naturally and stays with you.
And if you want to stay overnight, I recommend spending a few days in Bellano in a Villa Vista Lago apartment (www.villavistalago.it).
If you would like to experience Bellano at a slower pace and make the most of the lake atmosphere, staying an extra night can make all the difference.