Lucca Classica Music Festival
Five days of world-class music across the churches, palaces, and squares of Lucca's historic center
About Lucca Classica
Lucca Classica Music Festival: Music brings the city to life
Every year in late April, Lucca transforms into a vast, open-air stage. The Lucca Classica Music Festival takes classical music out of traditional concert halls and spreads it across Romanesque churches, historic palaces, museums, and the squares of the city's old town in Tuscany. Promoted by the Associazione Musicale Lucchese, the festival is one of the most vibrant and original classical music events in the Tuscan landscape, attracting a wide and diverse audience.
A festival spread across Lucca's iconic landmarks
The formula that made Lucca Classica famous is the idea of music that inhabits the city: events take place in some of the most evocative spots in the center, from the Church of San Francesco to the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory Auditorium, from the Palazzo Ducale to Villa Bottini, as well as various historic churches and city museums. Dozens of events are packed into just a few days, from morning until late at night, including symphonic and chamber concerts, piano recitals, early music, talks, conferences, and workshops open to everyone.
Renowned soloists and young talents
The program alternates between internationally acclaimed performers and the new generation of musicians. Alongside big names on the concert scene, students and orchestras from the Luigi Boccherini Conservatory in Lucca take center stage, playing a key role in numerous events that give the festival a strong educational and community focus. There are also special social-impact projects and paths designed specifically for families and younger audiences.
Music, history, and thought
Lucca Classica is more than just a series of concerts: each edition builds a narrative thread that links music to history, art, and contemporary issues. Meetings with writers, philosophers, artists, and communicators accompany the performances in a continuous dialogue between sound and word. The festival also presents the Lucca Classica Award, a recognition bestowed annually upon a prominent figure in Italian culture.
Lucca, city of music
As the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini and Luigi Boccherini, Lucca boasts one of Italy's most significant musical traditions. Lucca Classica embraces this legacy and revitalizes it, offering citizens and visitors the chance to experience the city through music, strolling from one church to the next between concerts and talks. It has become an unmissable appointment in the Tuscan spring.
Lucca Classica — edition 2026
The twelfth edition of the Lucca Classica Music Festival took place from April 29 to May 3, 2026, with over 90 events spread across the churches, palaces, museums, and squares of Lucca's historic center. The program, presented in March by the Associazione Musicale Lucchese, intertwined music with history and the major anniversaries of 2026.
The edition dedicated significant space to the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, with over ten themed events, and to the anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's Turandot. Artistic director Simone Soldati curated a program that combined great international performers, young talents, and moments of reflection and outreach.
Programme Lucca Classica 2026
Wednesday, April 29
- 21:00 — Inauguration with a reflection by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi as part of the events dedicated to Saint Francis
Thursday, April 30
- 21:00, Church of San Francesco — Kian Soltani, cellist, in concert with the Stradivarius that belonged to Luigi Boccherini
Friday, May 1
- 21:00, Boccherini Conservatory Auditorium — piano recital by Pietro De Maria
Saturday, May 2
- Palazzo Ducale — Sandro Ivo Bartoli, «Liszt: half gypsy, half Franciscan»
- 21:00, Church of San Francesco — «Francesco», a show with Aldo Cazzullo and Angelo Branduardi
Sunday, May 3
- 12:00, San Paolino — concert by the Boccherini Conservatory choir
- 18:30, Church of San Francesco — Lucca Classica Award 2026 ceremony for Alessandro Baricco and final concert by the Boccherini Conservatory orchestra
Other highlights of the edition included pianist Gloria Campaner, the Ensemble Micrologus for medieval music, and meetings with Alessandro Bergonzoni and Daniela Lucangeli. The complete program of over 90 events is available at luccaclassica.it.
Highlights Lucca Classica 2026
Prices Lucca Classica 2026
Practical information — Lucca Classica
When
The festival takes place every year between late April and early May, spanning five days.
Where
Events are held in various locations throughout Lucca's historic center: the Church of San Francesco, the Boccherini Conservatory Auditorium, Palazzo Ducale, Villa Bottini, and other city churches and museums.
How to get there
Lucca is well-connected by train (Lucca station on the Florence-Viareggio line) and by car via the A11 Firenze-Mare motorway, taking the Lucca exit. The historic center, enclosed by its famous walls, is entirely pedestrianized and easy to explore on foot.
Tickets
Many events are free of charge; main concerts are ticketed and can be purchased via the Vivaticket network or at the festival box offices. Updated information is available at luccaclassica.it.
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Where does it take place — Lucca Classica
Centro storico di Lucca
Chiesa di San Francesco, 55100 Lucca