And the best news of all is ... they are all FREE!

I've been adding quite a few summer events to the blog calendar. So far all are annual events that have been taking place for many summers now in Stresa. Many are events that recur several times throughout the season. Many are not well known to the average tourist unless you are lucky enough to stumble onto them. And all of these are essentially free of cost. Take a look to see what's happening when you'll be here. When choosing where to have your evening aperitivo, or where to take your stroll, combining it with one of these free performances may really enhance your trip.

Jazz at Caffe Bar Verbanella: Jazz every Thursday evening in Willy's Cocktail Bar in Verbanella. A different group performs each week.

Anteprima for the Ascona Jazz Festival: This is only one evening, but what an evening... the preview performance of the Ascona Jazz Festival. Six bands in different locations throughout Stresa. Check the calendar for the list of performers.

12th Edition World Championship of Fireworks: From July 24 through August 22, seven special fireworks exhibitions in different locations in the area. Read the post and see the schedule here.

21st annual Festival Internazionali dell'Associazione Musicale Dino Ciani: Many, many free musical performances, most at the Regina Palace Hotel, all free. The entire schedule can be seen here.

XX Edition International Organ Festival: Already begun and continuing through June 12, a series of free performances on the historic organ inside la chiesa Parracchiale SS Ambrogio e Theodulo, Stresa's main church, featuring some of the best organists in the world. Read the post and see the schedule here.

This list is by no means complete. New events are added all the time, and this list does not include the Stresa Music Festival or other performances which require purchasing a ticket. I hope however, it gives you some options you may not have known about before.