Cortina d’Ampezzo’s events calendar follows two distinct seasons: winter sports competitions and summer cultural festivals. The 2026 Winter Olympics (February 6-22) will be the biggest event in the town’s modern history, sharing hosting duties with Milan for ice sports. In a normal year, the calendar includes World Cup ski races, vintage car rallies on snow, ultra-trail running, and a packed August arts programme. Most events are free to spectate.
Cortina Events and Festivals: Winter Season
Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti (Late January)
The Coppa d’Oro (Golden Cup) is a vintage car regularity race run on snow-covered roads through the Dolomites since 1947. About 100 pre-1970 cars Combine this with things to do in Cortina for your trip itinerary. , Alfa Romeos, Porsches, Lancias , tackle a 500km route over mountain passes including Falzarego, Giau, and Pordoi. The start and finish are on Corso Italia in Cortina, with the concours d’elegance display on Saturday afternoon before the Sunday race. Free to spectate along the course; the best photo spots are at Passo Giau (2,236m) around mid-morning. The 2026 edition is scheduled for January 22-25.
Cortina Snowkite Contest (January/February)
Held on the frozen surface of Lago di Misurina (1,754m, 15km north of Cortina), this weekend competition draws snowkiters from across Europe. Dates depend on ice thickness , typically the last weekend of January or first of February. Spectating is free, with food trucks and a DJ at the lake shore. The event includes freestyle and race categories. Check cortinasnowkite.it for confirmed dates each season.
Cortina Fashion Weekend (Early December)
The winter season launches with Cortina Fashion Weekend on the first or second weekend of December. Boutiques along Corso Italia stay open late with DJs, champagne, and in-store events. The weekend coincides with the Christmas market opening in Piazza Venezia (wooden stalls selling mulled wine, local crafts, and Alpine woollens). Hotels offer opening-weekend packages at pre-season rates.
Cortina Events and Festivals: Summer Season
Lavaredo Ultra Trail (Late June)
The Lavaredo Ultra Trail is a 120km mountain race through the Dolomites with 5,800m of elevation gain, part of the Ultra-Trail World Tour. The course starts and finishes in Cortina, circling the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Misurina, and the Cristallo group. Elite runners finish in around 12 hours; the 30-hour cutoff allows determined amateurs to complete it. About 1,500 runners participate. Registration opens in January and sells out within hours , the 2025 edition filled all slots in 4 hours. Shorter distances include the Cortina Trail (48km) and Cortina Skyrace (20km). Spectators line Corso Italia for the Friday evening start.
Ferragosto Fireworks (August 15)
Italy’s national summer holiday peaks in Cortina with a large fireworks display over the valley, launched from the slopes of Mount Faloria. Viewing is best from the town centre or the elevated terrace at the Faloria cable car base station. The evening includes live music in Piazza Venezia from 21:00, with fireworks at 22:30. Restaurants book out days in advance , reserve dinner by August 10 at the latest.
Cortina InConTra Festival (August)
A series of literary talks, interviews, and panel discussions held throughout August in venues around town, including the Alexander Girardi Hall and outdoor spaces in the centre. Past speakers have included Italian and international authors, journalists, and mountaineering figures. Most events are in Italian but some have English translation. Schedule published on cortinaincontra.it each July. All events are free. Stay nearby using our best neighborhoods in Cortina and where to stay in Cortina guides. Stay nearby using our best neighborhoods in Cortina and where to stay in Cortina guides.
Cortina Events and Festivals: Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
The 2026 Winter Olympics run from February 6 to 22, with Cortina hosting women’s alpine skiing (Tofane), curling (Olympic Ice Stadium), sliding sports (the rebuilt Eugenio Monti bobsleigh track), and the closing ceremony. The Paralympics follow from March 6-15. Expect extreme demand across the entire winter season , accommodation within Cortina during the Games will be allocated via an official hospitality programme, not public booking platforms. The surrounding towns (San Vito di Cadore, Auronzo, Dobbiaco) will have more availability but still book up 12-18 months ahead. Road access will be restricted during competition days; public transport and shuttle buses from hub towns in the Veneto will be the only way to reach venues. Check milanocortina2026.org for spectator ticket information and transport plans.
