Events In Lucca – The Best Cultural Activities, Traditions, Celebrations and Festivals

Santa Zita is the patron Saint of Lucca and every 27th of April she gets celebrated: for the occasion, the streets and squares of Lucca explode with colour and intense fragrance of flowers (especially narcissus, symbols of Santa Zita), candies and local food and wine which promise a cheerful atmosphere.
The celebration takes place mainly in Piazza San Frediano and the nearby Piazza Anfiteatro, as San Frediano Church is where the relics of the Saint are preserved.

Anteprima Vini Della Costa Toscana (Wine Tasting) - April

At Anteprima Vini Della Costa Toscana wines from the Tuscan coast will be presented for the first time, directly from their producers. The event takes place at the Real Collegio in Lucca city centre, usually during the last weekend of April. It is possible to taste over 600 wines, and to participate in masterclasses and workshops hosted by producers and experts in the sector.

This music festival has taken place every summer since 1998 in the beautiful surroundings of Piazza Napoleone, the main square in Lucca city centre. Over the years, many international stars performed at Lucca Summer Festival, such as The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Elton John, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Eagles, Santana and Leonard Cohen.

Lucca Biennale Cartasia (Biannual Paper Art Exhibition) - August and September

Lucca Biennale Cartasia (Lubica) is the biannual paper art exhibition that takes place during the summer between the squares and the streets of Lucca historic centre, as well as in the historic seat of Palazzo Ducale and Villa Bottini. Every program edition is packed full of exhibitions, performances, workshops, meetings and events.

September is one of the most vivid months in the city of Lucca. The whole month is dedicated to celebrating Settembre Lucchese and Santa Croce. During this period of the year, the city hosts special concerts, markets, shows, exhibitions and a luna park.
It takes root in Santa Croce’s (Holy Cross) religious celebrations, a devotional procession that happens on the night of the 13th of September. During the procession, the Volto Santo (or Holy Face), a wooden crucifix figure, is carried along the streets of Lucca from the Church of San Frediano to the Cathedral of San Martino.

On this occasion, the streets of Lucca are illuminated by thousands of small candles. For the event, participants are primarily dressed in period costumes, and there is music, the famous flag juggling, etc. Afterwards, there is a concert inside the cathedral and fireworks on the river bank.

Murabilia is a gardening exhibition and market held on the city walls during the month of September. Visitors can purchase a wide range of rare and unique plants and flowers; it hosts garden furniture, handcrafted pots, baskets, clothes, gardening equipment, specialised magazines and publications and organic food.
Verdemura is the (slightly smaller) spring edition.

Dedicated to industry insiders and enthusiasts, the Lucca Film Festival is held annually and hosts well-known cinema artists, exclusive screenings and masterclasses.
The programming combines international auteur cinema and contaminations of experimental research. During the festival, there is a special evening, “Effetto Cinema Notte'', where all the shops, bars, restaurants and public establishments pay homage to movie classics.
In addition, dance and acting performances are staged all over the city, and movies are projected in different locations.
Some of the movies are in their original language.

Lucca Comics & Games is the annual comic book and gaming convention in Lucca, traditionally held at the end of October, in conjunction with All Saints' Day. This is the largest comics festival in Europe, and every year thousands of people gather to celebrate their passions. During those days, Lucca becomes a playful land, full of colours and life, walked by creatures and characters from all over the comic world.
Here you can find gadgets and rare comics, which can be hard to find elsewhere. You also have the opportunity to meet artists from all over the world.

Photolux Festival is the international biennial of photography held in Lucca. Every two years, between November and December, the festival animates the city with more than twenty exhibitions and a packed program of events.
The festival has become one of the most exciting photo expositions on the European scene, and it also hosts the World Press Photo exhibition. 

Il Desco - literally “table for eating” -  is an event dedicated to agri-food products: a market and exhibition for those who love quality, traditions and culture related to food. The event takes place in the first two weekends of December, in the evocative location of the Real Collegio, in the historic centre of Lucca. Here you will find food and wine excellence from Lucca, Tuscany and other Italian regions.

From traditional and religious-related celebrations to music festivals and comics fairs, Lucca has lots of events and activities to offer throughout the year. So no matter what time of year you visit, it is worth ensuring you don’t miss out.
 
To learn more about this beautiful city, check out our ultimare travel guide to Lucca.
 
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