Lucca Summer Festival
What are the best things to do in Lucca during the summer? We can relax in the countryside, have a little tour of the walls, go to the sea or hike the mountains during the day, but Lucca’s summer evenings are always full of events. The biggest and most desired is definitely the Lucca Summer Festival: a music festival in the middle of the old town that always attracts fans from all over Italy and the world.
Every year, the city of Puccini is transformed into an open-air stage for some of the biggest artists in the contemporary pop and rock music scene: Italian and international bands and musicians take turns on the big stage in Piazza Napoleone and on the one of the historic walls, performing under the stars in a truly unique setting.
Lucca Summer Festival 2026
In 2024, Lucca celebrated the centenary of the death of Giacomo Puccini, while 2025 brought exclusive performances from some of the world’s most beloved singers and bands.
So, what’s in store for summer 2026?
Never to be contradicted, the most anticipated music festival of the year includes a line-up of internationally renowned artists and a lot of unique events.
The dates for the Lucca Summer Festival 2026 have now almost all been revealed, although fans are still waiting for a few more announcements. We know that the event will take place from June 24 to July 29, 2026: a month packed with live performances featuring some of the biggest names in contemporary music.
As every year, the program has been carefully curated to offer a variety of musical genres. There will be world-famous artists such as Katy Perry and John Legend, but also many names from the most appreciated Italian music scene, such as Zucchero and Pooh. And there is no shortage of great classics: Riccardo Muti and Ludovico Einaudi will enchant the whole city.
One of the most anticipated performances is undoubtedly that of Katy Perry, who has chosen the historic city of Lucca as the only Italian stop on her tour on July 19.
In addition, there will be a special evening combining theater, music, and reflection: Paolo Ruffini and the Mayor von Frinzius theater company will perform the play Din Don Down – Alla ricerca di (D)io on Saturday, July 25.
The program of the Lucca Summer Festival 2026:
- June 24: Ludovico Einaudi
- June 25: David Byrne
- July 4: Jamiroquai
- July 5: John Legend
- July 7: Alabama Shakes and Matt Berninger
- July 16: Zucchero
- July 17: Ronnie Wood and his band
- July 19: Katy Perry
- July 20: Riccardo Muti
- July 21: Marcus Miller
- July 25: Paolo Ruffini and the Mayor von Frinzius theater company with Din Don Down
- July 28: Tom Jones
- July 29: Pooh
A History of Bringing Top Talent to Italy
Lucca Summer Festival has always been a popular event for internationally renowned artists. Among the most beloved Italian singers who have graced this stage, we mention Laura Pausini, Pino Daniele, Elisa, Mario Biondi, Giorgia, Francesco De Gregori, Ennio Morricone, and Zucchero Fornaciari. Notable foreign singers and successful bands include David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen, Elton John, Anastacia, Jennifer Lopez, and Green Day.
In addition, some editions of the festival have been particularly noteworthy. How can we forget the summer of 2017, when the Rolling Stones held their only Italian concert of the No Filter European tour in Lucca, recording a record attendance in the city of about 55,000? The festival stage was positioned outside the city walls for the first time for the occasion: a show that set the tone for many other concerts at the historic walls, such as Ed Sheeran’s 2024 double date.
2009 was certainly another memorable year, when the Dave Matthews Band gave a concert lasting more than three and a half hours, the longest performance of their career. The DMB Europe 2009 box set was taken from that concert.
This year the Festival promises to be just as spectacular, with a billboard so rich, curated and varied that will bring everyone together. You can visit the official website for tickets and for more information about the event schedule and how to get to the city.
If you are planning to attend one of these incredible events, L’Antica Bifore Guest House gives you the opportunity to stay in a historic 12th-century building in the heart of the old town of Lucca, in Tuscany. You can immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of this magnificent city and enjoy the experience of the Lucca Summer Festival 2026 at its best.
