21/09/2026
Lucca Comics & Games is the largest comics and gaming festival in Europe and one of the biggest in the world, a joyous invasion of pop culture that takes over the beautiful walled city of Lucca in Tuscany every autumn. Founded in 1966, it brings together comics and graphic novels, video and tabletop games, fantasy and science fiction, film, cosplay and Japanese manga culture, with hundreds of exhibitors, guests and events packed inside the historic centre and its Renaissance ramparts. Each year it draws hundreds of thousands of fans, many in elaborate costume, turning the whole town into a living celebration of imagination. The 2026 edition — the festival’s 60th anniversary — runs from 28 October to 1 November.
What to See
During the festival, marquees and venues fill the squares within Lucca’s walls, each themed around a genre — comics, games, movies, fantasy, Japan — with stalls, publishers, artists’ signings, previews, tournaments and talks by international guests. The real spectacle, though, is the crowd itself: thousands of cosplayers in extraordinary hand-made costumes throng the streets, posing for photos against the medieval backdrop. Beyond the ticketed areas the atmosphere spills out across the whole town, with parades, performances, street food and events for families and hardcore fans alike. Even outside the festival, Lucca’s intact Renaissance walls — wide enough to walk or cycle around the entire city — and its churches and towers make it one of Tuscany’s loveliest towns.
How to Get There and Practical Information
Lucca lies in north-western Tuscany, easily reached by train from Florence and Pisa (whose airport is the nearest), with the historic centre a short walk from the station just outside the walls. In 2026 Lucca Comics & Games takes place from 28 October to 1 November. It is a ticketed event, with single-day passes and multi-day tickets sold in advance online — the days around the 1 November holiday and the weekend sell out early and the town becomes extremely busy — so booking tickets and accommodation well ahead is essential. Cars are best left outside the walls; wear comfortable shoes and expect big, good-natured crowds. Many visitors combine the festival with a day exploring Lucca’s walls and, nearby, Pisa and Florence.
Weather in location: Lucca Comics & Games 2026, Italy
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