Introduction — Lucca and the buzz around Lucca Comics
Lucca (Lucques in French) is a medieval-feeling town tucked into Tuscany, famous for its Renaissance walls, tree-topped towers and postcard-perfect squares. Each year during Lucca Comics & Games, the town turns into a sprawling urban stage where cosplayers, musicians, street markets and indie exhibitions mingle. Beyond the festival’s official program, the city swells with parallel happenings: street concerts, open-air screenings, DIY workshops, photo shows, vintage markets and board game nights. These events are often run by local associations, independent bookshops, historic cafés and museums, giving visitors a chance to see Lucca from unexpected, more authentic angles.
Strolling the narrow streets branching off Piazza Napoleone or Piazza San Michele during festival week is to witness a joyful cohabitation of ancient heritage and contemporary pop culture. The walls — the Mura di Lucca — become stages for impromptu concerts, while palace courtyards come alive with pop-up drawing or tattoo workshops. Comic and game shops along Via Fillungo often host signings, meet-and-greets with illustrators and fanzine launches.
In this guide I offer a detailed selection of side events and must-visit spots, with exact addresses, indicative prices, opening times and practical tips to get the most out of your stay. Each place delivers a sensory experience: climbing a tower to feel the Tuscan wind, the dim hush of a historic bookshop, the crackle of an impromptu music set in a paved square. Pack comfortable shoes, a light jacket for cool evenings and a bag for comics, prints and local souvenirs. Here are the alternative meet-ups to add to your calendar during Lucca Comics — the perfect complement to the official festival and a way to leave with truly unique memories.
1) Outdoor concerts and performances on the Mura di Lucca
The Mura di Lucca (Passeggiata delle Mura Urbane) are a green, pedestrian ribbon encircling the historic centre. During Lucca Comics, several collectives and music groups stage mini-festivals and acoustic sets on selected stretches of the walls. The vibe is special: people sit on benches or along the parapets, enjoying panoramic views of roofs and towers while listening to local bands or low-fi electro DJ sets.
Address: Passeggiata delle Mura Urbane, 55100 Lucca LU.
Times: concerts usually late afternoon and evening, between 17:00 and 23:00 depending on the schedule.
Price: most events are free; some special concerts may require a ticket costing between €5 and €15.
Immersive description: picture the sun dropping over tiled roofs, a gentle breeze carrying the notes of an accordion or electric guitar, and the outline of Torre Guinigi on the horizon. Organisers sometimes set up small modular stages, artisan street food stalls and string lights to keep the atmosphere going. These outdoor performances are also a great chance to chat with independent musicians and discover local acts before they move on to other festivals.
Practical tips: arrive 30–60 minutes early for the best view, bring a light blanket, and carry cash for street vendors. The easiest pedestrian access points to the walls are from Piazza Napoleone or Porta San Pietro.
Click here to book your guided walk of the Renaissance ramparts
Click here to experience Lucca by night on a magical tour
2) Bookshops and pop-up exhibitions around Via Fillungo
Via Fillungo is Lucca’s main shopping artery, lined with shops, cafés and bookshops. During the festival, many independent bookstores host openings, author talks and drawing workshops. Don’t miss Libreria Ubik Lucca (Via Fillungo, 180), which often runs signing sessions and discussions about the comics industry.
Address: Libreria Ubik Lucca, Via Fillungo, 180, 55100 Lucca LU.
Hours: Monday–Saturday 09:30–19:30, Sunday 10:00–13:00 (times may vary during the festival).
Price: most events are free; some workshops cost between €5 and €20.
Immersive description: step through the door of a historic bookshop and you’re wrapped in the smell of paper and ink. Shelves are dressed with themed displays, windows showcasing limited editions and author tables. Pop-up exhibitions sometimes spill into inner courtyards or annex rooms, where art prints, original pages and multimedia installations interact with visitors. It’s the perfect spot to find rare editions, limited prints and handmade zines.
Practical tips: ask for the programme posted in the window or at the counter, book popular workshops in advance and bring a tote bag to keep your purchases safe. Bookshops often stay open late during festival days.
Click here to join a walking tour of Lucca’s highlights
3) Vintage markets and craft stalls in Piazza San Michele and nearby
Piazza San Michele is one of Lucca’s liveliest squares, dominated by the church of San Michele in Foro. During Lucca Comics, the square and surrounding streets host vintage markets, local artisan stalls and vendors selling prints and posters. It’s a great place to wander, hunt for finds and meet independent creators.
Address: Piazza San Michele, 55100 Lucca LU.
Hours: typical market 10:00–20:00 during the festival period.
Price: strolling is free; purchases vary — prints between €5 and €50, crafts between €10 and €200.
Immersive description: the cobbled square, lit by stone façades, fills with colorful parasols and kiosks. Sellers offer vinyls, original pages, badges, handmade jewelry and screen-printed posters. Around a corner you might find an open-air silkscreen workshop printing T‑shirts before your eyes, or a cosy reading corner where storytellers share fantastic tales for both kids and adults.
Practical tips: haggle politely on small items, take photos with artists’ permission, and keep cash handy for quick buys. For a break, grab an espresso at the nearest bar before resuming your treasure hunt.
Click here to discover Lucca on a food tour with tastings
4) Workshops, board games and game nights in cafés and cultural venues
Beyond the official tournaments, Lucca fills with board game nights, role‑playing meetups and game design workshops in spaces like Teatro del Giglio (Via Fillungo, 139) or the Biblioteca Statale di Lucca (Borgo Giannotti, 34). Café‑coworking spots and local associations open their doors for long sessions where newcomers and veterans share a table.
Address: Teatro del Giglio, Via Fillungo, 139, 55100 Lucca LU.
Biblioteca Statale di Lucca, Borgo Giannotti, 34, 55100 Lucca LU.
Hours: game nights often 18:00–02:00; daytime workshops 10:00–17:00.
Price: free participation or recommended contribution between €3 and €10; specialist workshops €10–€30.
Immersive description: between signing sessions, slip into a quiet room to test a prototype or join a role‑playing table. Atmosphere is warm: dim lamps, game boards spread out, drinks and laughter. Hosts explain rules patiently — you’ll often learn a new mechanic or dive into an improvised campaign. These gatherings are perfect for networking and swapping contacts with fellow enthusiasts.
Practical tips: sign up online if possible to secure a spot, bring a compact game you’d like to showcase, and respect venue rules (some require a minimum purchase). For late nights, plan your return: local taxis or walking if you’re staying in the centre.
Conclusion — Making the most of Lucca Comics’ side events
Lucca Comics’ side events let you experience the town at a different pace than the official festival: more intimate, more local and often free. Walking the walls, pushing open the doors of historic bookshops, rummaging through the stalls at Piazza San Michele or spending a night gaming in a café will weave memories beyond a standard convention visit. Before you go, note the key addresses: Passeggiata delle Mura Urbane for concerts, Via Fillungo and Libreria Ubik for literary meetups, Piazza San Michele for markets and Teatro del Giglio or the Biblioteca Statale di Lucca for workshops and game nights.
Simple practicalities to get the most out of it: check updated schedules on local associations’ Facebook pages and at tourist offices (Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche, Piazza San Michele), always carry a water bottle and a little cash, and plan to explore on foot to savour every alley. If you travel with family, look up children’s events and stick to daytime activities. For photographers, sunrise and sunset cast exceptional light on towers and squares — remember to protect your gear.
Finally, keep an open mind: some of the best discoveries are spontaneous — a public reading in a courtyard, an impromptu sound performance on a stairwell, or a mini exhibition of illustrators set up in a café. These moments, often free or very cheap (between €0 and €15), are the true spice of a stay in Lucca during Lucca Comics. Combine the official program with the side events and you’ll come away with a rich, dense and unforgettable cultural experience in the heart of Tuscany.
