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From 15–17 May 2026, the shores of Lake Como will once again host Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, one of the world’s most respected celebrations of historic automobiles and automotive design. First established in 1929, the event occupies a singular position within concours culture, bringing together exceptional collector cars, automotive houses, designers, historians, restorers, and long-established collectors within one of Italy’s most elegant lakeside settings.
For many attendees, the appeal extends beyond the concours lawn itself. The weekend unfolds through historic villas, collector gatherings, lakeside terraces, and the long-standing social rituals that have surrounded European concours culture for decades. While larger automotive events may attract greater crowds, Villa d’Este remains defined by curation, discretion, and atmosphere.
The Heritage Behind Villa d’Este
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este began in the late 1920s as a gathering for Europe’s leading coachbuilders and automotive marques to present their newest creations on Lake Como. The concours quickly became associated with craftsmanship, design innovation, and the elegance of early motoring culture.
Following a long post-war hiatus, the event was revived during the 1990s before entering a new chapter under BMW Group Classic in partnership with Villa d’Este. Today, it remains one of the world’s most important concours events, pairing historically significant collector cars with carefully selected concept unveilings and contemporary design studies.
Unlike many modern motoring festivals, Villa d’Este remains intentionally selective in scale. Vehicles are chosen for provenance, restoration quality, originality, rarity, and design significance rather than spectacle alone. The Coppa d’Oro Villa d’Este, voted for by attendees, remains one of the concours world’s most coveted honours.
Lake Como and the Concours Tradition
Few destinations complement the elegance of historic motoring quite like Lake Como. Winding lakeside roads, historic villas, manicured gardens, and alpine scenery create a setting naturally suited to the traditions of the concours world.
The event unfolds primarily between Villa d’Este and Villa Erba. Villa d’Este hosts the celebrated concours parade alongside many of the weekend’s invitation-led gatherings, while Villa Erba accommodates broader public programming, exhibitions, and festival activity.
Throughout the weekend, Cernobbio takes on a distinctive rhythm. Historic Ferraris move through the waterfront roads beside pre-war Bentleys and coachbuilt Alfa Romeos, while polished wooden boats carry guests between lakeside lunches, receptions, and evening dinners across the lake.
Understanding the 2026 Programme
The earlier part of the programme focuses on private arrivals, media previews, judging sessions, and invitation-led gatherings as participating collectors arrive in Lake Como with their vehicles.
Saturday, 16 May 2026, remains the defining day of the concours itself. The celebrated parade takes place on the terrace of Villa d’Este, where each automobile is formally presented before judges, invited guests, and attendees. Owners often accompany their vehicles, sharing details about provenance, restoration, preservation, and competition history throughout the presentations.
Sunday shifts towards the broader public-facing side of the weekend through Public Day – Il Festival at Villa Erba. Visitors can experience the parade atmosphere alongside manufacturer displays, special exhibitions, and wider entertainment programming.
The 2026 edition will also include Touring Car Legends, celebrating 40 years of the BMW M3, alongside world premieres from BMW Group and a BMW Motorrad vision vehicle presentation. Broad Arrow Auctions returns as the official auction partner, hosting collector-car sales at Villa Erba across 16–17 May, with preview activity beginning on 15 May.
Villa Erba will also host Amici & Automobili – Wheels & Weisswürscht on Saturday, bringing together around 120 additional vehicles within a more informal enthusiast setting that complements the concours itself.
The 2026 Classes and Automotive Highlights
One of the defining features of Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the level of curation behind each year’s vehicle classes.
The 2026 edition includes Automotive Tailoring: The Decade of Opulence, 1924–1934, celebrating the craftsmanship and extravagance of pre-war coachbuilding, alongside Viva Villa d’Este: Extravagant 1950s Style, focused on the glamour of post-war European touring culture.
Additional categories include They Earned Their Names: Enzo’s Endurance Legends, centred around Ferrari competition icons, and Every Scratch Tells A Story: Ageing Gracefully Without Restoration, highlighting preservation-class automobiles valued for originality rather than concours-level restoration.
These themes contribute significantly to the event’s intellectual appeal, offering even seasoned collectors new perspectives on automotive history, preservation philosophy, and coachbuilding heritage.
The Social Rhythm of the Weekend
Although automobiles remain central, Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is equally recognised as one of Europe’s most established gatherings for the international collector and automotive community.
Collectors, designers, luxury executives, auction specialists, historians, and long-standing automotive families all converge on Lake Como during the weekend, creating an atmosphere that feels polished without becoming performative. Tailored linen, vintage watches, silk scarves, and understated resortwear dominate the terraces and gardens throughout the event.
The pace of the weekend also shapes its character. Long lunches become aperitivi overlooking the lake, while dinners continue across historic villas and waterfront restaurants late into the evening. Much of Villa d’Este’s appeal lies in these quieter moments between the formal presentations and judging sessions.
Access, Tickets, and Hospitality
Access to Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este varies considerably depending on the level of attendance. Villa Erba accommodates much of the public-facing programme, including Public Day – Il Festival, Amici & Automobili, exhibitions, and broader event activity.
For 2026, select Villa d’Este entry tickets are also available for Saturday, 16 May, allowing guests access to the concours presentations within the hotel grounds during designated hours. These experiences remain considerably more limited than general public access and typically sell out well in advance.
The event also offers tailored hospitality packages associated with different ways of experiencing the weekend, including access to the Villa d’Este grounds and closer viewing positions for the concours presentations, judges, and collectors.
Many of the weekend’s most exclusive gatherings remain invitation-only, organized by manufacturers, collectors, sponsors, and hospitality partners. Official partners for the 2026 edition include A. Lange & Söhne, which will once again present a unique 1815 Chronograph to the Best of Show winner, alongside partners such as Vranken Pommery Monopole and Schedoni.
Where to Stay Around Lake Como
Accommodation around Lake Como becomes exceptionally sought-after during the concours weekend, with many of the region’s leading hotels booking out months in advance.
Naturally, Villa d’Este remains the most iconic address during the event itself, placing guests directly at the centre of the concours atmosphere. Its historic interiors, floating swimming pool, lakeside gardens, and longstanding association with European grand hotel culture make it one of the weekend’s most coveted stays.
Nearby, Passalacqua offers a quieter and more residential experience, pairing grand villa elegance with highly personalised service and privacy.
Further along the lake, Grand Hotel Tremezzo continues to attract concours guests with its classic glamour, expansive lake views, and direct boat access, while Il Sereno appeals to travellers seeking a more contemporary atmosphere.
For guests prioritising wellness and discretion slightly removed from the busiest concours areas, Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como remains a particularly strong option.
Evenings Along the Lake
Dining forms an essential part of the Villa d’Este weekend, with many attendees building itineraries around Lake Como’s terrace restaurants and lakeside hospitality.
At La Veranda, guests dine overlooking the lake within Villa d’Este’s celebrated setting, where polished service and refined Italian cuisine complement the atmosphere of the concours weekend itself.
Across the lake, Berton al Lago draws diners seeking a more contemporary culinary experience, while Mistral remains one of the lake’s most established fine-dining destinations, pairing panoramic views with elegant seasonal menus.
Many of the weekend’s most memorable moments, however, are remarkably understated: an espresso overlooking the marina, a late aperitivo after the concours presentations, or an evening boat ride across the lake as the crowds begin to disperse.
Dressing for Villa d’Este
Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este has developed its own understated sartorial rhythm over the years. The setting encourages elegant dressing, though daytime events rarely feel rigidly formal.
Lightweight tailoring, linen suiting, silk pocket squares, refined sunglasses, and classic leather loafers dominate throughout the weekend, often accompanied by vintage-inspired watches and discreet automotive references through accessories.
Historic villas, immaculate gardens, polished chrome, lake reflections, and beautifully preserved automobiles create a setting that feels remarkably cohesive from morning through late evening.
An Automotive Event with Enduring Appeal
What distinguishes Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is the restraint that runs through the entire experience. Despite attracting some of the world’s rarest automobiles and most influential collectors, the event rarely feels excessive. Its significance comes through curation, heritage, craftsmanship, and atmosphere rather than scale alone.
For many attendees, the enduring appeal lies in the way the concours blends automotive history with the long-standing traditions of Lake Como itself. The conversations, the setting, the preservation culture, and the rhythm of the weekend combine to create an atmosphere that remains deeply connected to a more enduring vision of European concours culture.
