How to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Ticino

Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve

Welcome the new year in the right spirit in the enchanting Canton of Ticino, where Alpine elegance meets a Mediterranean soul. With sparkling cities, snow-covered mountains and memorable evenings, the regions of Bellinzona, Locarno, Lugano and Mendrisio offer tailored experiences for every taste.

For those who love to keep traditions alive

If New Year’s Eve means sharing moments and honouring traditions, these Ticino events are the perfect choice for an authentic experience. Live music, local specialities and collective toasts turn the squares into the ideal place to welcome 2026 together.

Winterland
- Winterland Locarno is a place where winter comes to life, even on New Year’s Eve. In addition to light projections and festive Christmas settings, the event in Piazza Grande offers a world of experiences: ice-skating, zipline, ice mini-golf, food stalls, markets, rides, and a rich programme of shows and concerts that enliven the city from late November to early January.
  
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Christmas in Lugano
- Even on New Year’s Eve, Lugano lights up with magic, traditions and a festive glow, with the grand Christmas tree in Piazza della Riforma as its beating heart.
  
  Among the market stalls, visitors discover quality crafts, refined decorations and local flavours. The gastronomic chalets turn into elegant open-air lounges: aperitifs, culinary specialities, live music and DJ sets create a stylish way to experience the city.
  
  In the enchanting Parco Ciani, an ice rink immersed in nature offers unforgettable moments for both adults and children.
  
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Natale in città
- During the festive season and on New Year’s Eve, Bellinzona lights up with magic thanks to Natale in Città: concerts, markets, cinema, competitions and the long-awaited Christmas Village in Piazza del Sole all take place against the scenic backdrop of the illuminated Castelgrande.
  
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Mendrisio sul ghiaccio
- Skate in the heart of Mendrisio in a sparkling winter atmosphere. Piazzale alla Valle transforms into a world of lights and colours, with almost 500 square metres of ice, becoming the ideal place to meet, exchange greetings and enjoy the festive season together.
  
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For mountain lovers

From high-altitude dinners to cosy evenings in mountain huts, New Year’s Eve in the Alps is all about unspoilt nature and breathtaking views. Discover where to raise a toast to the new year, surrounded by silence and the magic of our peaks.

New Year’s Eve at Capanna Gorda
- Spend a magical night at Capanna Gorda in the Blenio Valley, where the Alpine atmosphere lights up under a star-filled sky. Fresh snow, traditional dishes and the warmth of the stove will accompany your evening as you wait together for midnight.
  
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New Year’s Eve Menu in Cardada
- Welcome the new year with an exclusive dinner at Ristorante Colmanicchio, surrounded by Cardada’s enchanting winter scenery. A special menu for the occasion and a spectacular view will make your evening unforgettable.
  
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Dinner on Monte San Salvatore
- Enjoy an exclusive dinner on Monte San Salvatore, with views over Lake Lugano and its surroundings. Refined dishes, a festive atmosphere and breathtaking panoramas await you. Reach the summit by funicular and raise a toast to the future in a truly special place.
  
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Raclette at Buffet Bellavista
- Toast to a new journey around the sun with an elegant buffet, live music half way to the Monte Generoso. A perfect opportunity to experience an unforgettable New Year’s Eve in a cosy and festive setting, easily reachable with the cogwheel railway Monte Generoso.
  
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For unstoppable party lovers

If your New Year’s Eve wouldn’t be complete without music and nightlife, Ticino becomes your dance floor. From concerts to exclusive events in the trendiest venues, you can dance late into the night, surrounded by an irresistible energy.

Delta Beach Lounge
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve in an exclusive lakeside setting. A rich aperitif with Champagne and finger food, a five-course gala dinner and dancing late into the night await you at the Delta Beach Lounge in Ascona.
  
  You can find more information at this link
Splash & Spa Tamaro
- Slide into the new year with a spectacular swimsuit party full of fun and relaxation. Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Splash & Spa Tamaro, where music, a tropical atmosphere and water slides await you.
  
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Villa Principe Leopoldo
- New Year’s Eve 2026 at the elegant Villa Principe Leopoldo will be an unprecedented luxury experience, with the entire residence in celebration. An emotional journey through three eras, marked by scenic transformations that will turn the residence overlooking Lake Lugano into a stage of pure elegance and spectacle.
  
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Villa Sassa
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Hotel Villa Sassa with elegance: gourmet dinner, live music and DJ set late into the night, with brunch and entertainment also on January 1st. An exclusive event combining taste, art and conviviality in the heart of Lugano.
  
  You can find more information at this link

For those who prefer quiet moments

If you’d rather avoid crowds, loud music and fireworks, Ticino offers many places where time seems to slow down. Whether you prefer to stay at home or enjoy something more peaceful—like New Year’s Eve at the Kurhaus Cademario—here are some suggestions for spending the last night of the year in tranquillity.

Campsites open all year
- Whether for a short escape from everyday life or a longer holiday, these Ticino campsites offer a unique experience even between November and March. An invitation to listen to the silence of the valleys, admire the golden reflections on the lakes, and rediscover the beauty of a direct connection with nature.
  
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Recipes that warm the heart
- Those who prefer to spend New Year’s Eve at home or with friends will certainly appreciate one of these Ticino recipes to set the mood. Grab your ladles and aprons and get cooking.
  
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