About two months after the start, the Caslano Blues is preparing to return with its twelfth edition, scheduled for June 17 to 21, 2026. Founded in 2013, the festival has consolidated an increasingly significant presence on the summer music scene over the years, progressively transcending local borders to attract audiences from all over Switzerland and abroad.
The event, hosted in the village of caslano, stands out for a formula that combines artistic quality and accessibility: all concerts remain free, an element that has helped build a direct relationship between artists and audiences.
The Caslano Blues program between courtyards and Piazza Lago
The festival's structure follows a well-established model, divided into four distinct yet complementary events. The first two evenings, Wednesday and Thursday, take place in the courtyards of the historic center, where audiences can enjoy the concerts in an intimate and intimate setting.
The heart of the event then moves between Friday and Saturday to the suggestive Lake Square, where two main stages are set up for evening performances.
The closing event, as per tradition, is the jam session on Sunday at noon: an informal gathering that brings together many of the performers from previous evenings on the same stage, encouraging improvisation and musical collaboration.
Caslano Blues 2026: nearly 25 free concerts
The 2026 edition will feature a particularly rich lineup, with nearly 25 concerts spread across the five days. Around twenty bands are expected, from various European countries and the United States.
Among the first names announced are: Shari Puerto, Jane Jeresa e Acantha Lang: three performers united by a strong stage presence and different stylistic approaches, reflecting the variety of the festival's artistic offering.
Musical cruises on the lake
Alongside the concerts, one of the most popular side events returns in 2026: the blues cruises on the lake. The organization, curated by Lugano region in collaboration with Allegra Tours, includes two events on the evenings of Thursday 18th and Saturday 20th June.
The boats will depart from Lugano to reach caslano, offering live music on board or itineraries between Caslano and Bridge TresaThe evening return will be accompanied by the atmosphere of the illuminated lake.
Tickets start at 16 Swiss francs, with limited availability. Reservations can be made online.
The role of the Lugano Region in tourism development
The festival is part of the territorial promotion strategy implemented by the Lugano Region, which has always been among the event's sponsors along with Pro Caslano and the Municipality.
The tourism board aims to strengthen the area's positioning as a leading destination through four main areas: sports and nature, art and culture, food and wine, and conference tourism. In this context, events like Caslano Blues help expand the cultural offering and attract new visitors, while also promoting the area through sustainable development.
An event that marks the beginning of summer
Over the years, Caslano Blues has gradually become a symbolic opening of the summer season in the Lugano area. The combination of live music, urban spaces, and the lakeside landscape continues to be one of the event's defining features.
With a broad, accessible, and quality-focused program, the 2026 edition is poised to confirm the festival's role as one of the most recognizable events in Ticino's cultural calendar.
