Saint John the Baptist Festival

The patronal feast of Villafranca in Lunigiana

In the heart of Lunigiana, along the ancient Via Francigena and overlooking the Magra River, the town of Villafranca in Lunigiana (Massa-Carrara province, Tuscany) celebrates its patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, every year on June 24th. For the occasion, the village dresses up for the celebration, and its squares—from Piazza dell'Aeronautica to Piazza San Giovanni, from Piazza della Repubblica to the historic center—become the stage for a week of events weaving together faith, culture, entertainment, and conviviality.

A tradition shared by the community

The festivities are organized by the SS. Giovanni e Nicolò Parish in collaboration with the Pro Loco Villafranchese 2011, VAB volunteers, and the municipal administration. It is an authentic local festival where regional associations, dance schools, and local gyms come together to offer citizens evenings of music, performances, and gatherings. The common thread remains popular devotion to the Baptist, a central figure in the religious identity of Lunigiana.

Between art, entertainment, and devotion

The artistic heart of the event is the "Il Menhir" nocturnal painting competition, which enlivens Piazza dell'Aeronautica every evening: painters at work under the stars, in a well-established appointment that attracts enthusiasts and curious onlookers. Evenings continue with performances by local gyms and dance schools, stilt-walker shows offered by the Pro Loco, and the notes of the marching band. The most solemn moment is the procession on June 24th, when the community parades through the town streets in honor of the patron saint.

The Saint John Fair

Closing the festivities is the historic Saint John Fair, a commercial and popular event that fills the streets with stalls, local products, and crowds. Throughout the festival, every evening, you can taste focaccette at the gastronomic village, a specialty that alone is worth the visit and tells the story of the simple, genuine cuisine of Lunigiana.

Why visit

The Saint John the Baptist Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover Villafranca in Lunigiana and its territory: the medieval village dominated by the ruins of the Malnido Castle, the Mills of Saint John along the Bagnone stream, and the network of hamlets—from Filetto to Virgoletta—that guard the most authentic soul of Lunigiana. An intimate and heartfelt festival, far from the major tourist circuits, perfect for those seeking a true Italy made of traditions and community.