Garfagnana Food & Music Festival

A festival of music and flavors in the heart of the Garfagnana

The Garfagnana Food & Music Festival is the major early May celebration in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, in the province of Lucca, nestled in the Tuscan mountains. For a few days, the central Piazza della Repubblica transforms into an open-air stage where live music meets street food in a convivial, festive atmosphere. Admission is free, and the event draws locals, curious visitors, and tourists traveling through the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.

Dozens of bands from all over Italy on one stage

The heart of the festival is live music: numerous bands from Tuscany, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy take turns on stage, featuring local Garfagnana groups alongside acts from Milan, Bologna, Savona, and Reggio Emilia. The repertoire spans from rock to pop, singer-songwriter tracks to alternative sounds, with a program designed to provide the perfect soundtrack from early afternoon until late at night.

Fiesta Loca street food

Alongside the music, the star of the show is the street food curated by the Fiesta Loca association from Marina di Massa. The stalls offer Italian specialties, starting with the must-try arrosticini, as well as Brazilian, Spanish, and Mexican dishes, accompanied by beers and other treats to enjoy in the square. This culinary variety makes the festival a true journey of flavors to savor while strolling between concerts.

A celebration for the whole town

Organized by the Associazione Compriamo a Castelnuovo, representing the local business community affiliated with Confcommercio, the Garfagnana Food & Music Festival is much more than a music showcase: it is a celebration for the entire community of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The evenings are hosted by radio presenters, including speaker Carlos Alfredo Bartolomei, and past editions have featured fire shows, stilt walkers, and entertainment for children. The event is part of the rich calendar of festivities that brings the Garfagnana and Serchio Valley to life between spring and summer, a land of villages, fortresses, and culinary traditions.