Christmas Events in Lucca, Italy

Every year the city of Lucca becomes more alive during the Christmas holidays, with events, concerts and many other initiatives for adults and children!

The municipal administration has enriched the calendar with unmissable events involving the entire territory around Lucca to celebrate Christmas 2024 in the best possible way.

Tourists will love spending these days between the end of November 2024 to the beginning of January 2025: Lucca will be full of a lot of markets, lights, nativity scenes, concerts, and fantastic events to live and share, for a lovely and funny Christmas.

Lucca, between nativity scenes and markets

Once again this year, you cannot miss all the nativity scenes in Lucca! 

At the San Colombano bastion there will be a nativity scene set up by the managers of the Caffè San Colombano.

Under the loggia of Pretorio Palace, instead, the Francesco Zavattari’s nativity scene is ready to be experienced in an intense and immersive way.

A small traditional nativity scene is located in the gunnery of San Frediano, organized by the Historica Lucense association in a unique setting.

Lucca’s most beautiful churches also host many nativity scenes, giving to the visitors a great opportunity to visit them during this special time of year. For example, you cannot miss the artistic nativity scene of the Legnaioli confraternity in the small church of San Benedetto in Gottella, in Bernardini Square.

A special mention for the Living Nativity in Barga (December 23), the Living Nativity in Ruota (December 26) and the Living Nativity in Bagni di Lucca (January 1), three characteristic hillside villages transformed into a small Bethlehem for a day.

The National Museums of Lucca offer the opportunity to start a journey through four paintings of the Nativity from different eras at Villa Guinigi.

In addition, you can take a walk through the streets, walls, and squares of Lucca’s old town decorated with installations, trees, and wonderful Christmas markets and lights.

Christmas concerts 2024 in Lucca

The city of Puccini certainly cannot live the Christmas period without music and concerts! From November 28 to December 22 there will be the long-awaited Puccini Days, the festival that spreads the incredible works of the famous composer. And there will be no lack of events for New Year’s Eve. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most important concerts:

• December 8: Advent Concert, in the Church of San Michele in Foro 
• December 14: Christmas Concert by the Boccherini Conservatory, in the Conservatory auditorium 
• December 14: Christmas Concert “Sorridi sempre alla vita”, in the Church of San Francesco, by the Alice Benvenuti Onlus
• December 15: Christmas at the Palace, in the National Museum of Palazzo Mansi
• December 15: Christmas from the World, in the Cathedral of San Martino
• December 16: Atmospheres of Christmas, in the Basilica of San Paolino
• December 25: Organ concert with readings, in the Cathedral of San Martino
• January 1: Traditional concert at the Teatro del Giglio
• January 5: Epiphany singing through the city streets

In addition, on December 22 there will be a special Candlelight evening at the Istituto Musicale Luigi Boccherini, where the great Christmas classics will be played on the piano.

And on December 31 everyone in the square to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

Events for Epiphany 2025 in Lucca

Epiphany is a great time to celebrate too! 

The Valle dei Presepi (Valley of the Nativity scenes) is a special initiative that involves 5 municipalities to enhance the territory of the province of Lucca with music, theatre, and markets.

But above all, the Befana comes to Barga on January 5-6! Children wait for this old lady in the center of Barga on January 5, and they go together through the town singing traditional songs. The Befana brings them presents, and they celebrate with mulled wine, and typical cookies throughout the evening in the main square of the town. You can also visit the Befana’s house in Pegnana during the next day.

Other events in Lucca during the Christmas time

Other unmissable events await you during these holidays.

From December 7 to December 22, from Friday to Sunday, Piazzetta San Carlo is transformed into Santa Claus’ Factory: a magical village for adults and children where you can play, create and have fun with elves, the Christmas princess and Santa Claus.

Even in Capannori, in the province of Lucca, there is no shortage of events: concerts, nativity scenes and the Befana will enrich the area throughout the Christmas period.

And finally, you can also discover the Magical Christmas at Villa Reale in Marlia: games, animations, attractions, lights, decorations, and good food in Santa Claus’ village during the weekends of December 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

What are you waiting for? Let’s come to visit Lucca and Tuscany during the holiday season, the Antica Bifore Guest House is waiting for you in the old town of Lucca! Let’s be fascinated by all the events scheduled for Christmas 2023 and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere of this beautiful city.