Badia Pozzeveri Cacciucco Festival

A gastronomic tradition spanning nearly fifty years

The Cacciucco Festival in Badia Pozzeveri, an ancient hamlet in the municipality of Altopascio in the province of Lucca, is one of the most beloved and long-standing food and wine events in the Lucca Plain. Now in its 48th edition in 2026, the event is organized by the Comitato Paesano Badia Pozzeveri Onlus, which mobilizes dozens of local volunteers every year to manage a kitchen capable of serving hundreds of diners each evening.

Cacciucco, king of the table

The festival's signature dish is naturally cacciucco, the historic, rich, savory, and fragrant fish stew of the Tuscan coast, prepared here according to traditional recipes. Alongside it, the Viareggio-style fish soup—another great classic of the Versilia coast—takes center stage, accompanied by a wide selection of seafood dishes from Tuscan cuisine. Everything is prepared by the chefs and volunteers of the village committee, who make the authenticity and generous portions the hallmark of the festival.

An inclusive festival: gluten-free and lactose-free

One of the aspects that makes the Cacciucco Festival special is its focus on inclusivity at the table. For several editions, the opening nights of the event have been dedicated to a gluten-free and lactose-free menu, created in collaboration with the volunteers of AIC Toscana (Italian Celiac Association). For those suffering from celiac disease or food intolerances, being able to enjoy a cacciucco in complete safety is a precious rarity, which has made this festival a reference point well beyond the municipal borders.

Music, dancing, and conviviality

The festival is not just about food: every evening, the party comes alive with live music and dancing, including ballroom orchestras, dance evenings, and shows that attract audiences of all ages. The square of Badia Pozzeveri thus becomes a place for meeting and socializing, where generations gather around good food and music in one of the most characteristic hamlets of Altopascio, also known for its famous Pieve di San Pietro and the medieval archaeological site linked to the Via Francigena.

Part of the Altopascio summer calendar

The Cacciucco Festival is a proud part of the rich program of the Luglio Altopascese, the summer series of events that enlivens the municipality of Altopascio (in the province of Lucca, Tuscany) throughout the summer season, featuring concerts, village festivals, and popular events. It is the perfect opportunity to discover this corner of the Lucca Plain by combining taste, tradition, and entertainment.