Lucca Comics & Games: a very different side of Tuscany
Every autumn, the beautiful walled city of Lucca hosts something extraordinary: Lucca Comics & Games, the largest and most important European festival dedicated to comics, video games, illustration, fantasy, and cosplay, and the second largest of its kind in the world after Comiket in Tokyo.
When I went, I was absolutely thrilled by it. And this year it's an extra special occasion: titled 'Legacy', 2026 sees the festival celebrating its 60th anniversary. It runs from 28 October to 1 November.
Even if, like me, you wouldn't normally attend a comic or video game convention, the scale, creativity, and atmosphere of this festival are extraordinary. The entire city transforms into an event in itself, with cosplayers in elaborate costumes parading through Lucca's historic streets and piazzas, alongside exhibitions, film screenings, meetings with artists, talks, collectors, and visitors from all over the world.
It's the atmosphere that makes the festival so memorable. Lucca is a wonderful city to visit any time of year, but during the festival there's a unique energy, unlike anything else you'll experience in Tuscany.
The city gets very crowded, but while Lucca Comics & Games is an unmissable event for collectors, illustrators, gamers, video game creators and fans of comics and animated films, it also welcomes and attracts curious travellers who enjoy combining historical, artistic, culinary and scenic discoveries with unusual experiences. That's why we're sharing it with you: it could be a fascinating addition to an autumn stay at Casalone.
The festival takes place throughout the historic centre, which is closed to traffic, making it easy to explore the many attractions on foot. If you enjoy dressing up, it's the perfect opportunity to become your favourite character for a day. You'll see an incredible variety of costumes, from classic and contemporary Disney heroes to film icons as diverse as A Clockwork Orange and Marvel superheroes. I even saw people dressed as David Bowie and Frida Kahlo!
I visited with my teenage children, and what I remember most, alongside the surprise and sheer spectacle of it all, was the joyful, creative atmosphere that seemed to permeate every corner of the city. I was also struck by how skillfully the huge crowds were managed and, above all, by the way the entire city came together to make the event a success—not just the traders and food vendors, but the wider community, too.
If you're thinking of visiting, I recommend planning well in advance. Parking in Lucca requires advance booking, and demand is so high that many residents rent out their garages and parking spaces. Driving time from Casalone is usually a little under 90 minutes.
Alternatively, you can easily reach Lucca by train. Just a few steps from the train station you'll find yourself at the entrance to the festival and a splendid city bathed in an absolutely magical atmosphere.
You can find dates, tickets and the full programme on the official Lucca Comics & Games website.
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