Fish & Chips Festival

The fish and chips festival in the most Scottish town in Italy

The Fish & Chips Festival is one of the most beloved summer gastronomic events in Barga, a village in the Garfagnana area of the province of Lucca, in the heart of Tuscany. For over two weeks, every evening in August, the Stadio Comunale Johnny Moscardini on Via Puccini transforms into a lively gathering spot where the aroma of fried fish and chips accompanies evenings of music and joy.

A story of emigration and return

The festival is rooted in an important chapter of local history: the emigration of Barga's residents to Scotland between the 19th and 20th centuries. Many families from the Barga area moved to Scottish cities, where they opened fish and chip shops. Upon returning home, these emigrants and their descendants brought this British culinary tradition back with them, so much so that Barga is now nicknamed "the most Scottish town in Italy". The festival is a living celebration of this bond between the Serchio Valley and Great Britain.

The star dish

The heart of the festival is, of course, the fish and chips: fish fillets wrapped in a crispy batter and fried, served with generous portions of chips, following the recipe passed down by Barga families who emigrated. Alongside the signature dish, the stands offer grilled meats and other specialties, with a menu designed to satisfy both adults and children.

Music, dancing, and charity evenings

• Food stands open every evening, generally starting at 7:30 PM
• Live music and a dance floor set up at the festival entrance
• Charity evenings, with proceeds donated to local associations and organizations
• Convivial and family-friendly atmosphere in one of the most beautiful corners of the Garfagnana

Barga and the Garfagnana

Visiting the festival is also an opportunity to discover Barga, one of the most charming villages in Tuscany, with its Romanesque cathedral overlooking the Apuan Alps and the Apennines. The Fish & Chips Festival is part of a rich summer calendar of events promoted by the Municipality of Barga together with the Pro Loco and local associations, representing one of the moments that best captures the identity of this corner of the Garfagnana.