The venues for the 2026 events
Places in the Locarno area that are not just stages, but an integral part of the sound, emotions and magic of the festival.
- Meeting places:
Church of Santa Maria Assunta (New Church), Locarno
- Meeting places:
Church of San Martino, Ronco sopra Ascona
- Meeting places:
Sunshine Castle Beach, Pavilion
- Meeting places:
Piazza Lungolago, Ascona
- Meeting places:
Papio College Church, Ascona
- Meeting places:
Church of St. Mary of Ponte Brissago
- Meeting places:
Brissago Islands, Villa Emden
- Meeting places:
Church of Mogno, Vallemaggia
- Meeting places:
Teatro del Gatto Ascona
- Meeting places:
Visconti Castle Locarno
- Meeting places:
Church of St. Anthony Abbot
- Meeting places:
Church of St. Francis, Locarno
- Meeting places:
Bordei, Church and Garden Tavern
- Meeting places:
Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Ascona
- Meeting places:
Sopracenerina Hall Locarno
- Meeting places:
Monte Verità Ascona, swimming pool
- Meeting places:
Papio College, Ascona, Aula Magna
- Meeting places:
Cloister of Collegio Papio, Ascona [Cloister, Openair].
Six places where the magic of the festival resonates
Papio College Church, Ascona
Via delle Cappelle 1, 6612 Ascona
The church of Santa Maria della Misericordia at the Roman Catholic secondary school “Collegio Papio” is a Renaissance-era building and is also famous for its impressive altarpieces and wall paintings by Giovanni Serodine (17th century) and Marco D’Oggioni (16th century). Because of its size and excellent acoustics, the church is regularly used for concerts, such as some of the major concerts organized by classicAscona.
The College’s other premises are used for master classes and other side events.
Church of St. Francis, Locarno
Piazza San Francesco 19, 6600 Locarno
St. Francis Church in Locarno, whose origins date back to the 13th century, is much more than a historical monument: it is a living sounding board where history, art and music come together. It is one of ClassicAscona’s most fascinating venues and offers a worthy setting for orchestral and choral concerts. The special features of this monument of sacred art are the frescoes by the Locarnese Orelli family of painters from the 18th century and the wooden choir, carved in 1522.
The church has been extensively restored so that it still shines today as a cultural center. The last complete restoration of the interior was completed in 2012.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Ascona
Piazzetta San Pietro 1, 6612 Ascona
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Ascona, reopened in 2025 after extensive restoration work, is a building with roots in the 16th century and features frescoes, coffered ceiling and polygonal choir. With its atmospheric atmosphere and good acoustics, it is ideal for closing concerts of master classes and chamber music concerts.
Teatro del Gatto Ascona
Via Muraccio 21, 6612 Ascona
A multipurpose space in the town center, where classicAscona will meet JazzAscona.
Church of San Martino, Ronco sopra Ascona
Via Ronco 1, 6622 Ronco sopra Ascona, Switzerland
St. Martin’s Church, enlarged in the 16th century on the basis of a 15th-century oratory according to drawings attributable to Giovanni Beretta, has a remarkable variety of styles: medieval nave and chancel, 16th-century tower and Baroque elevation, and 19th-century facade. With its elevated position above Lake Maggiore, it makes an ideal venue for concerts in our Concerts of Excellence series.
Church of St. Mary of Ponte Brissago
6614 Brissago
Brissago’s idyllic church, which is located directly on the shores of the lake, was built between 1526 and 1585, designed by architect Giovanni Beretta and later by his son Pietro. It is one of the most important Renaissance buildings in the region and features an octagonal dome with surrounding loggias and a clear reference to the Lombard Bramante tradition. With its harmonious Latin cross shape, dominant bell tower, and elegant interplay of windows and granite pillars, it offers a unique cultural and acoustic environment in which music and architecture blend impressively.
Other locations besides the main stages
Castello del Sole Pavillon Spiaggia
A concert in a Mediterranean atmosphere: In the pavilion on the beach of Lake Maggiore, you can enjoy concerts and culinary delights in the vicinity of the Hotel Castello del Sole.
Chiesa del Collegio Papio, Ascona
The Church of Santa Maria della Misericordia, belonging to the Roman Catholic secondary school “Collegio Papio,” is a Renaissance-era building and, thanks to its size and excellent acoustics, is regularly used for concerts, such as some of the main concerts at classicAscona. The other rooms of the Collegio are used for masterclasses and other accompanying events.
Piazza Lungolago, Ascona
The Preludio Lungolago concerts are organized by ensembles from the Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana as pre-concerts on Ascona’s famous and legendary lakefront with breathtaking views of the lake and mountains.
Visconti Castle Locarno
In the courtyard of the historic Visconti Castle, guests can experience an evocative journey between music and literature.
Sunshine Castle Beach, Pavilion
A concert in a Mediterranean atmosphere: you can enjoy a concert and culinary delights in the surroundings of Hotel Castello del Sole at the beach pavilion on Lake Maggiore.
Bordei, Church and Garden Tavern
Nestled in the mountains above Palagnedra in the Centovalli, nestled in the tranquility of the village of Bordei, are the Church and Osteria Giardino. A place where award-winning and sought-after vegetarian cuisine meets magical sounds in a picturesque medieval sacred space.
Church of St. Anthony Abbot
The Church of St. Anthony Abbot in Arcegno (Losone) is a Baroque church with a rich interior and a portal of great historical value. It serves as the center of the local parish community and is culturally
significant in the region. It is known for its important stucco and frescoes and good acoustics.
Brissago Islands, Villa Emden
Reachable by boat from Ascona, Villa Emden with its elegant “Veranda Ascona” on Brissago Island is the ideal venue for the “Music and Literature” review: a combination of chamber music, aperitif and sunset in a unique atmosphere.
Monte Verità Ascona, swimming pool
The former pool on Monte Verità in Ascona was originally built by Baron Eduard von der Heydt as an outdoor pool for his hotel. Today it serves as a unique outdoor stage
for events, such as the “Music and Literature” series.
Church of Mogno, Vallemaggia
A musical excursion will take you to Mario Botta’s architectural masterpiece. The church was built between 1992 and 1996 on the site of the Baroque church destroyed by an avalanche in 1986 and symbolizes man’s resistance against the destructive force of nature.
Sopracenerina Hall Locarno
Located in the heart of Locarno, on the famous Piazza Grande, the neoclassical Sala Sopracenerina offers an ideal setting for pre-concerts as part of the “Constellation Youth” festival.
Church of Santa Maria Assunta (New Church), Locarno
The Chiesa Nuova in the historic center of Locarno is an important Baroque church dating from about 1630-1650, built by Cristoforo Orelli. It is known for its magnificent stucco decoration, the large image of St. Christopher on the facade, and the canons’ protected house. Concerts of the “Young Constellation” and the Academy series are held here and it is within walking distance of the main venue, St. Francis Church.
Papio College, Ascona, Aula Magna
Collegio Papio is located in the historic center of Ascona, opposite the church of Santa Maria della Misericordia, an elegant and famous Romanesque building from the 14th and 15th centuries. Also located in this harmonious environment is the Aula Magna, which hosts the concerts of our children’s and youth projects.
Cloister of Collegio Papio, Ascona [Cloister, Openair].
Collegio Papio is located in the historic center of Ascona, opposite the church of Santa Maria della Misericordia, an elegant and famous Romanesque building from the 14th and 15th centuries.