Orticolario 2026 is officially underway. Until Sunday, 4 October, the historic park of Villa Erba in Cernobbio becomes one of the most fascinating places on Lake Como, filled with rare plants, gardens, art, design and installations.

Now in its 16th edition, the event is one of the most anticipated dates of the year for anyone with a passion for nature, gardening and landscape culture.

More than simply a flower and plant show, Orticolario brings together horticulture, creativity and garden culture. The indoor and outdoor spaces of Villa Erba welcome over 250 exhibitors, alongside themed gardens, art installations, craftsmanship, talks, workshops and activities for younger visitors.

Orticolario 2026: “en rêverie”

The title chosen for the 2026 edition is “en rêverie”, an invitation to wander between dreams, illusion and imagination.

This year’s theme explores the boundary between reality and fantasy through landscape and art, with “fantastic plants” taking centre stage.
The experience begins with the installations themselves. In the central pavilion, for example, Hypnos leads visitors into a suspended dimension somewhere between reality and imagination, while Phantasos is dedicated to fantastic plants, featuring a selection of specialist nurseries and unusual botanical varieties.

At Villa Erba, Les Imaginaires offers a poetic reinterpretation of nature through the eyes of artist Lau Cabantous.

Over 250 exhibitors: rare plants, design and craftsmanship

One of the main reasons to visit Orticolario is, of course, the opportunity to discover a remarkable variety of rare, unusual and collectible plants, while meeting specialist growers and horticultural professionals.

Alongside the botanical displays, visitors will find artisans, designers, artists and selected exhibitors connected to the worlds of gardening and contemporary lifestyle.

Orticolario is a place to find new ideas for your own garden, discover unusual varieties, talk to experts or simply wander among the stands and installations surrounded by the centuries-old park of Villa Erba.

The gardens of the International Creative Spaces Competition

One of the highlights for garden and landscape design enthusiasts is the International Creative Spaces Competition.

For the 2026 edition, seven finalist projects have been selected to create gardens and installations throughout the park. They will compete for the prestigious “La Foglia d’Oro del Lago di Como” award, as well as several other prizes.

Visitors can explore very different interpretations of this year’s theme and see how designers and landscape architects use plants, materials, shapes and spaces to create immersive environments.

The competition projects are joined by numerous additional installations, spread throughout the park, the dock, the wings of Villa Erba and the lakefront.

Workshops, talks and experiences

Orticolario is not just something to look at. Throughout the event, the cultural programme includes talks, performances, tastings, walks and workshops, inviting visitors to become part of the experience.

The 2026 programme ranges from artistic workshops and botanical activities to creative experiences and food tastings. One of this year’s new additions is “Le mirage”, a gastronomic experience that plays with perception through a series of small culinary trompe-l’œil creations.

There are also plenty of workshops and activities designed specifically for children and teenagers, making Orticolario a great option for families too.

Discover Villa Erba and the rooms of Luchino Visconti

The setting alone is a good reason to visit. Orticolario takes place between the exhibition centre, historic park and lakefront of Villa Erba, one of Cernobbio’s best-known historic residences.

During the event, visitors can also join guided tours of the rooms associated with Luchino Visconti, the celebrated Italian filmmaker who spent part of his summers here. Tours are available throughout the event and require an additional €5 contribution.

It is an opportunity to combine a visit to Orticolario with a glimpse into the cultural history of Lake Como.

Orticolario 2026: opening hours and useful information for the weekend

Orticolario 2026 continues until Sunday, 4 October at Villa Erba in Cernobbio.
From Friday, 2 October to Sunday, 4 October, the event is open from 9 am to 7 pm, with the ticket office closing one hour earlier.

Cernobbio can be reached by car via the Como Nord exit of the A9 motorway, or by public transport from Como.
Those planning a weekend visit also have a much more scenic option: on Saturday, 3 October and Sunday, 4 October, visitors can travel to Orticolario by boat from Como, departing from Pier 5. The boat journey is included in the event admission ticket.

With rare plants, gardens, art and landscapes to discover, Orticolario is an opportunity to experience Villa Erba from a completely different perspective and spend a day on Lake Como following the thread of imagination.

For the full programme, exhibitors, map and tickets, visit the official Orticolario website.