Ranocchiocciola Festival
Frogs and snails at the Parco degli Sterpeti in Massarosa
About Ranocchiocciola
A festival that tells the story of the Massaciuccoli plains
The Ranocchiocciola Festival is a beloved summer tradition in Massarosa, a town in the province of Lucca overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli, in the heart of inland Versilia. The name itself, a blend of rana (frog) and chiocciola (snail), captures the essence of the event: two humble, ancient ingredients traditionally linked to the wetlands and fields of the plains become the stars of a menu that smells of rural tradition.
Frogs, snails, and Versilia cuisine
The historical presence of these two creatures in the waters and lands around the lake has made them staples of the local popular cuisine. At the Parco degli Sterpeti stands, you can taste fried frogs and snails prepared according to local recipes, but the menu doesn't stop there: Versilia cuisine is well-represented with traditional dishes and wood-fired pizza, highly appreciated by those looking for an alternative to the two signature dishes.
A community celebration
The festival is organized by the Fratres Blood Donors Association of Massarosa, giving it a value that goes beyond the table: it is a gathering point for the town and an occasion for solidarity. The food stands open every evening for dinner, followed by the social side of the event with live music, ballroom orchestras, DJ sets, and a large dance floor that remains one of the highlights of the event.
For the whole family
- Food stands with frogs, snails, Versilia specialties, and wood-fired pizza
- Dance floor with orchestras and musical evenings
- Bingo (Tombola), a true classic of village festivals
- Playground and arcade for children
The setting of the Parco degli Sterpeti, surrounded by greenery, makes the Ranocchiocciola a pleasant and relaxed summer evening, ideal for discovering a piece of gastronomic culture in the most authentic Tuscany, far from the tourist circuits of the Versilia coast yet only a few kilometers away.
Massarosa and Lake Massaciuccoli
Visiting the festival is also a great excuse to discover Massarosa and the nearby Lake Massaciuccoli, a naturalistic area and a place synonymous with Puccini, located a short distance from Viareggio, Lucca, and the beaches of Versilia.
Ranocchiocciola — edition 2026
The 2026 Ranocchiocciola Festival is scheduled at the Parco degli Sterpeti in Massarosa over two distinct weekends in July: from July 16 to 19 and from July 23 to 26, 2026. Once again this year, the Fratres Blood Donors Association offers the festival's signature dishes, frogs and snails, along with Versilia cuisine specialties and wood-fired pizza.
Every evening, the food stands open for dinner, followed by live music, dance evenings, and the traditional bingo, with areas dedicated to children. The detailed evening program (orchestras, DJ sets, and guests) is generally released in the weeks leading up to the event: it will be updated here as soon as it is published by the organizers.
Programme Ranocchiocciola 2026
The detailed evening calendar for the 2026 edition (orchestras, dance evenings, and DJs) will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the festival. The usual format includes, every evening during the two weekends, the opening of food stands for dinner and, starting around 9:00 PM, live music and dancing on the large Parco degli Sterpeti dance floor, with bingo and spaces for children.
Highlights Ranocchiocciola 2026
- Frogs and snails, the festival's two signature dishes
- Versilia specialties and wood-fired pizza
- Live music and a large dance floor every evening
Prices Ranocchiocciola 2026
Practical information — Ranocchiocciola
Location
Parco degli Sterpeti, Massarosa (LU), in the province of Lucca, a few kilometers from Lake Massaciuccoli.
How to get there
By car: take the Versilia exit on the A11/A12 motorway, then follow signs for Massarosa. The Massarosa-Bozzano train station is on the Lucca-Viareggio line. Ample parking is available near the park.
Hours
Food stands open in the evening for dinner; live music and dancing start around 9:00 PM.
Information
Phone: +39 0584 938245 (Fratres Blood Donors Massarosa).
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Where does it take place — Ranocchiocciola
Parco degli Sterpeti
Parco degli Sterpeti, 55054 Massarosa