A festival that combines music, culture, landscape and Mediterranean lightness into a single experience
More than 4,500 spectators attended in 2025
Festival Warm Up Concert: Between Worlds – Zwischen Welten | Cornèr Bank Preview
Inaugural Concert | Julia Lezhneva I | For Constanze: Mozart Grand Mass
Next Generation I | Cello Ensemble of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
Program 2026
Concerts of excellence
These are the highlights of the festival: stars of the music scene perform in Ascona and Locarno: soloists, orchestras, choirs, and ensembles give the festival an international scope.
19 concerts in the Church of Collegio Papio in Ascona, San Francesco in Locarno and other churches in the region.
Land of Artists – Sehnsucht Ticino
For centuries, Ticino, and in particular Locarno, has attracted artists from all disciplines.In interdisciplinary events held at iconic locations in the region, we aim to explore this feeling of fascination by focusing on various themes.
7 side events, for a maximum of 50-70 spectators. Locations: Monte Verità, Brissago Islands, Castello Visconteo, Mario Botta Church in Mogno in Vallemaggia, Bordei in Centovalli.
classicAscona academy & Next Generation
Young professionals, ambitious amateurs, children and youth participate in the classicalAscona academy. In close cooperation with Ticino’s educational institutions, master classes and workshops are offered, the results of which are presented to the public as part of the Academy concerts.
14 Academy concerts: free admission (registration required), including Sala Sopracenerina, Chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo, Lungolago Ascona, Collegio Papio and many others.
About classicAscona
When the end of summer is tinged with gold, a special 80-year period begins in Ascona.
Young professionals, ambitious amateurs, children and youth participate in the classicAscona academy. In close cooperation with Ticino’s educational institutions, master classes and workshops are offered, the results of which are presented to the public as part of the academy’s concerts.
The Academy is not a secondary program. It is a cultural mission.
3
Artists in residence
14
Concerts of the classicAscona academy
19
Concerts of excellence
15+
Event venues
23
Days of music
International stars, orchestras and choirs
Music & Pleasure
Combine the festival experience with moments of pleasure, relaxation and discovery in the Ascona-Locarno region.
Locarno offers numerous museums, art galleries and historic buildings that reflect the cultural diversity of the region. Churches and monasteries are also worth a visit. Lake, valleys and mountains offer spectacular hiking destinations. For example, Cardada-Cimetta, the Brissago Islands, Monte Verità.
Yes, all master classes are open to the public.
There is no formal dress code for the festival, but elegant attire is recommended.
At our partner hotels you can enjoy a 20 percent discount on concert tickets for stays of two nights or more, as well as special offers and reduced prices for your overnight stay.
On the occasion of the concerts at the two main venues, St. Francis Church and Papio College Church, there will be a small food offering before the concerts and during the intermission.
