Brand-new Rooms
April
Easter and Easter Monday in Lucca
Unmissable are the events that for Easter and Easter Monday animate the city and its surroundings. The Procession de 'Crocioni in Castiglione di Garfagnana, which takes place on Holy Thursday after the mass, is formed by the faithful who, after leaving the church, follow a man processionally dressed in Christ, with large chains on his feet and loaded with a heavy cross of wood. Nobody knows the identity of the penitent, with the exception of the prior of the local confraternity. The Tragedia dei Vagli takes place this year in Vagli di Sopra, a town that alternates every three years with Vagli di Sotto and Roggio. Planned for the evening of Good Friday, the streets of the town become the setting for a Tragedy, which represents the Passion and death of Christ, thanks to some costumed actors who recite a prose text taken directly from the Gospel source. On Easter Monday, the Egg Hunt, the treasure hunt for children organized by the ANIMAta...mente association, reaches its fourth edition. The big Easter bunny will hide the colored chocolate eggs in the garden of Villa Bottini in via Elisa or, in case of rain, at Happy Party in San Marco. The fun task of finding them for children. The reward? To be able to bring home everyone they find. The initiative will take place from 15.30 to 17.30 and, in addition to the egg hunt, there will be space for other fun activities such as the possibility for children to wear make-up, a snack, inflatables, photographs and balloons.
April
Lucca Tattoo Expo
The Polo Fiere di Lucca, in Sorbano del Giudice, hosts the tenth edition of the Lucca Tattoo Expo. The event, which has become internationally famous over the years, will be staged from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 April.
The event that embraces the art of tattooing at 360 degrees will host exceptional tattoo artists from all over the world. There will also be exhibitors and collateral initiatives, such as concerts and fashion shows. Some pavilions will host food stands with typical dishes of the Tuscan tradition. The cost of the entrance ticket is 10 euros.
Maggio
Lucca Bimbi
A big, joyful celebration for children and families: that's the most fitting definition of Lucca Bimbi. The event takes place in May at the Real Collegio in Lucca, a location steeped in magic in the historic center, just a few steps from Hotel Ilaria. Themed play areas, creative workshops, performances, fairy tales, and exciting attractions immerse children in a world of pure fantasy, while parents rediscover the unique feeling of seeing reality from the perspective of their little ones. The diverse weekend program of Lucca Bimbi is enriched with stalls, music, and dancing, as well as characters borrowed from the most beautiful fairy tales: from Disney princesses to brave superheroes to friendly animal kingdom characters.
June - July
Lucca Summer Festival
It is now one of the best known music events in Italy. Concerts are held in the city center, between the wonderful frames of Piazza Napoleone and the Walls of Lucca. Every year the event hosts the most famous artists on the Italian and international scene. It offers a schedule for all musical tastes: from rock to rap, from blues to pop music.
JULY
Versiliana Festival
The Versiliana Festival, organized every year in the homonymous pine woods of Viareggio, is one of the most prestigious events of the whole summer in Tuscany. Talks, concerts, book presentations and plays: the festival boasts a rich calendar with important local and national personalities.
In the midst of the pine woods is the Caffè della Versiliana, the place of choice for cultural evenings, political and sociological discussions with the presence of well-known names. A special stage hosts dancers and children ‘s entertainers, an interesting art exhibition is set up at the Park Villa every year.
JULY – AUGUST
The Puccini Festival
The Puccini Festival is a not to be missed event for opera lovers. In Torre del Lago, birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, every summer a rich calendar of musical performances, written by the great composer, goes on stage.
The mood featured in this occasion is truly suggestive: the notes of the Bohème and the famous Tosca resound in the sweet summer nights, between the starry sky and the Lake of Massaciuccoli. The main lyric festival in Italy takes place between mid-July and mid-August.
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER
Il Castello rivive
The Nozzano Castle is located in the Piana di Lucca, in a medieval village rich in history and magic. Of uncertain origins, the fortress comes back to life every year between late August and September, in three days of celebration and folklore.
An exciting medieval event animates the characteristic village of Nozzano, with artisans, knights, merchants and beautiful ladies. Among historical parades, games and amazing performances, remember to change your euros into Matildi, Matildini and Sercambi - coins of the time - for your medieval purchases. The event has an entrance ticket.
13th September
La luminara di Santa Croce
Each year on the 13th of September, Lucca celebrates the festival of the Holy Face, where a wooden crucifix is carried in procession from the Basilica di San Frediano to the cathedral of San Martino. What makes this procession special is the lights illuminating the town: everyone carries a candle, and all the windows lining the route are also lit up, recreating a magical scene.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER
Il Desco – Sapori e saperi in mostra
Visiting Lucca in fall is a pleasure, especially for lovers of quality food and wine. In fact, between the end of November and the beginning of December, takes place Il Desco, a free entrance market exhibition marked by moments of entertainment and foods for thought.
Many exhibitors participate as proud representatives of the delights of the Lucca area and of our local traditions. Alongside the gourmet products - from Garfagnana cold cuts to goat cheeses and IGP spelt, accompanied by excellent local wines - you can walk along an itinerary of flavours, that starts from Lucca and reaches the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, touching Versilia and the Serchio Valley.
February - March
Carnival of Viareggio
The Carnival of Viareggio, a few kilometres from our hotel in Lucca, is the largest parade of papier-mâché floats in the world and one of the most beloved Carnivals in Italy.
Born in 1873 by a group of young people at the famous Caffè Del Casinò, still today it attracts enthusiasts from all over the country. Every year the celebration repeats, but it amazes with innovative technologies and surprises. Among confetti, sounds and dances the allegorical floats streams through the main streets of the city: a grotesque procession representing famous people and events of politics. The preparation of the carts lasts a whole year and is entrusted to the expert Italian Masters of Viareggio, supported by volunteers and citizens.
FEBRUARY
CarnevalMarlia
In the hamlet of Marlia, a few kilometers from Lucca, a particular and evocative Carnival takes place every year. This is the CarnevalMarlia, which began at the beginning of the twentieth century, with authentic photos dating back to 1904. In the following decades, the event improved in quality more and more, but just in recent years the parades of large papier-mâché carts, emblems of this carnival, have become unmissable appointments.
Throughout the month of February, every Sunday, you can observe the Marlia masked courses parades, led by the cart of the clown Marillone, the symbol of the event: locals and tourists can only be drawn into this exciting local festival. Food stands, craft markets, games and entertainment for children complete the program of the event.
