With the arrival of spring, the city's events calendar kicks off with one of its most anticipated events. From April 3rd to 6th, the event Easter in the city transforms the center of Lugano in a space animated by markets, music, and initiatives designed for families and visitors.
The event traditionally marks the start of the region's outdoor events season. Stalls, musical entertainment, and children's activities will fill the city streets for four days, offering moments of entertainment in a festive atmosphere that attracts residents and tourists.
According to the Deputy Mayor and Head of the Department of Culture, Sport and Events Robert BadaraccoThe event is an invitation to experience the city in the first days of spring: an opportunity to meet, discover local offerings, and participate in numerous activities designed especially for children.
The Easter market in the city center
The heart of the event will be, as per tradition, the Easter Market, open every day from 10 am to 19 pm. Stroll through the streets of the center among stalls selling crafts, typical products, sweets, and gift ideas related to the holiday.
The market atmosphere will be complemented by various musical performances by folk groups and local artists. Guests include the Nostranello Duo, Tacalà, the Lorenza e Francesco Duo, and the Bandella di Bedano, who will perform traditional repertoire.
Il musical program It also includes specific events. On Saturday, April 4th, at 17 p.m. in the Town Hall patio, the Castagnola Philharmonic will present the concert “Best Wishes in Music”, with a repertoire designed to celebrate the arrival of spring.
On Monday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 15 p.m., the melodies of the alphorns will resound in various locations throughout the city thanks to the Friends of the Alphorn Festival, offering a typically Swiss soundscape.
Activities for children including treasure hunts and games
A central part of the program is dedicated to children. The main activities will take place in Piazza Manzoni, transformed into a play area with entertainment and games.
Among the most anticipated initiatives is the return of the Easter Treasure Hunt, held daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (last departure at 4:30 pm). The route, divided into stages, will guide participants through the city center with clues and small sweet surprises. Instructions will be available in four languages: Italian, German, French, and English.
The square will also host the Duck fishing in the fountain, a race against time to recover as many small floating ducks as possible.
Among the new features of the 2026 edition is the Big Sandbox, a play space where children can use mini-excavators and try their hand at construction and creative activities.
Artistic installations and participatory initiatives
There will be no shortage of cultural offerings. At Rivetta Tell, it will be possible to visit the participatory installation “I would like to know why…”, a project carried out in collaboration with the University of Svizzera Italiana.
The work invites visitors to write or draw a question, a "why" they'd like to find an answer to, making the public's contribution an integral part of the installation. The initiative is also connected to the treasure hunt.
Also in the same area there will be a pop-up dedicated to the famous Gold Bunny rabbit Lindt & Sprüngli, with tastings and themed activities.
On the afternoons of April 4th and 6th, from 13:30 PM to 17:30 PM, face painter Desirée Molnar – known as Desy Truccabimbi – will create colorful transformations for the little ones, including princesses, butterflies, and Easter characters.
Easter picnic at Ciani Park
Among the most significant innovations of this edition stands out the Easter picnic – Brunch edition, organized on the shores of the lake in the suggestive Ciani Park.
The initiative, proposed in collaboration with Sambì, will take place on April 3, 5 and 7 starting at 10 am. Participants will be able to collect a mystery box containing a sweet and savory brunch and sitting at the large social table set up in the Boschetto area.
The food boxes, curated by Grotto Grassi in Tremona, will be available in both adult and children's versions. During the event, it will also be possible to taste and purchase organic wines from Azienda Agricola Bianchi and other local beverages.
Participation is by reservation and the event will only take place in favorable weather conditions.
