I’d heard about Lucca Comics & Games for years, but I didn’t really get it until I saw the city walls lined with Stormtroopers and a group of Pikachu walking a very confused corgi. The 2025 edition runs from October 29 to November 1, and the city caps daily attendance at 80,000 people. That number sounds huge, but inside the walls it feels like a living, breathing pop-up world where every alley has a surprise. This guide is for anyone wondering if it’s worth traveling to Italy specifically for this event, especially if you’re bringing kids or just want to know how to survive the crowds.
Lucca Comics & Games 2025 caps daily attendance at 80,000 visitors, transforming a medieval Tuscan city into one of Europe’s largest pop culture festivals.
Yes, it’s worth it — but only if you plan your days around what you actually care about. This isn’t a casual stroll through a medieval town. It’s a full-on convention that takes over every piazza, church, and palace. Go for the spectacle, the cosplay, and the sheer energy. Skip it if you want a quiet Tuscan getaway.
Cosplay enthusiasts
Families with kids 7+
Gamers and comic collectors
I went with my husband Michael and our kids Lily (7) and Ethan (4). I’ll be honest — Ethan was overwhelmed by the noise and crowds by midday. Lily, on the other hand, was completely mesmerized by the cosplayers and asked to dress up as a Pokémon trainer the next day. The festival is huge, but it’s also surprisingly well-organized for something this chaotic.
Getting In & Getting Around
How the ticketing and entry system actually works
The ticketing system is straightforward, but the rules around bags and props caught me off guard.
Tickets are sold per day, and prices vary. For 2025, online prices are €26 for Wednesday, €29 for Thursday, €33 for Friday, €33 for Saturday, and €31 for Sunday. You can buy up to five tickets per transaction. Children born after January 1, 2016 get in free when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket and bracelet. That saved us a good chunk of change since Ethan qualified.
Security is strict. Bags larger than 20 liters are forbidden. So are spray cans, alcohol over 5%, glass bottles, tripods, poles, chains, drones, bicycles, skates, hoverboards, tents, sleeping bags, suitcases, and trolleys (though those are subject to checks). I saw people turned away at the gate with rolling suitcases. Leave them at your hotel.
Cosplay props have their own rules. Firearm replicas must have a red tip, and no sharp blades or cutting edges are allowed. I saw a few foam swords and cardboard axes that passed without issue. If you’re bringing a prop, make sure it’s obviously fake and not sharp.
Buy your tickets online and choose the skip-the-welcome-desk shipping option before October 16. That way your wristband arrives at home and you walk straight through the gate. We did this and skipped a 45-minute line on Saturday morning.
The Main Attractions
Comics, manga, and the international publishing village
The comics area expands beyond the city walls and hosts publishers from four continents.
Around 90 publishing companies set up stands. The international presence is strong — authors and artists came from Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Morocco, Egypt, and Tunisia. I spent most of my time in the French section, which made sense since the 2025 theme was “French Kiss,” a homage to France and French pop culture. The poster artist was Rébecca Dautremer, and she also served as Artist in Residence at the Limonaia of Palazzo Guinigi.
Ten Japanese manga artists attended, plus five guests from Taiwan, three from China, and three from South Korea. The variety was impressive. I picked up a limited-edition French graphic novel that I’d never find in Boston. Michael, who doesn’t read comics, still enjoyed browsing the original art on display.
Gaming: from indie hits to triple-A showcases
The games area is massive, with dedicated pavilions and a 400+ square meter space at the Palestra Ducale Maria Luisa.
Bandai Namco took over 400 square meters to showcase new titles, figures, and Gunpla. Riot Games premiered their fighter 2XKO exclusively at the Samsung booth, and they also had exclusive Valorant content. I’m not a competitive gamer, but I watched a few rounds of League of Legends from Kia’s altitude gaming experience — an 8-meter skybox that gave a bird’s-eye view of the action.
For tabletop fans, Chaosium celebrated the 50th anniversary of Call of Cthulhu, and Dungeons & Dragons marked the 40th anniversary of the Red Box with a special campaign called “Lucca Bacia il Cielo.” Games Workshop also had a 50th anniversary exhibit called “Forging the Myth.” I saw families playing quick demo games, which was a nice break from the crowds.
One of the most talked-about moments was Hideo Kojima’s Death Stranding World Strand Tour 2, which included panels, screenings, and insights into Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Kojima himself attended, and the line for his panel wrapped around the block.
The indie game scene is strong here. Luca “poncle” Galante, creator of Vampire Survivors, had an immersive experience at Casa del Boia. If you’re into smaller studios, skip the big booths and head to the indie area first — it’s less crowded and the developers are happy to chat.
Cosplay: the real heart of the festival
Over 80 cosplay events run across the four days, including rallies, parades, quizzes, games, street theater, contests, and awards.
The Lady Oscar Parade tied into the French theme, and the double Star Wars parade celebrated the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith. There was also a Hideo Kojima fan tribute that drew a huge crowd. The Lucca Cosplay Academy featured Gaia Giselle, Leon Chiro, and Yuriko Tiger as judges. Lily loved the Community Village, which had themed DJ sets, an Anime Vocal Contest, and a Party Dance Cosplay event.
I dressed up as a simple character from a Studio Ghibli film, and even my low-effort costume got compliments. People here are incredibly friendly and happy to pose for photos. Just be prepared to stop every few steps if you’re in a detailed costume.
Cosplay parades can get packed. The main parade routes through the historic center become impassable during peak times. If you’re with small kids, find a spot near the start or watch from a side street. We watched the Star Wars parade from a café balcony and had a much better view than the people on the ground.
Music, film, and special events
The festival isn’t just about comics and games — it has a full music and film program too.
Concerts and previews happened at Teatro del Giglio, San Francesco Auditorium, Piazzale Verdi, and the eSports Stadium. Yoko Shimomura, the composer behind Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy XV, performed with the Poncle Live Orchestra at Teatro del Giglio. That was a highlight for me — the music was emotional and the acoustics in that theater are excellent.
Netflix had a huge presence with a Stranger Things final season pavilion and exclusive store. Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp all attended, along with creators Matt and Ross Duffer. The line for the store was over two hours long, so we skipped it. Netflix also celebrated its 10th anniversary in Italy and hosted a Zerocalcare event.
Disney screened Twilight of the Republic of the Sith and previewed the Twisted Wonderland anime. Luc Besson presented Dracula: The Lost Love with Matilda De Angelis. The variety is staggering — you could spend the whole day just watching panels and never see a comic.
Lucca Comics vs. other European pop culture festivals
If you’re deciding between Lucca and something like Paris’s Japan Expo or London’s MCM Comic Con, here’s how they compare.
| Factor | Lucca Comics & Games | MCM Comic Con London | Japan Expo Paris |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | Medieval walled city | Convention center (ExCeL) | Convention center (Paris-Nord Villepinte) |
| Daily cap | 80,000 | ~60,000 | ~80,000 |
| Cosplay focus | Extreme — parades through streets | High — but indoor only | High — but indoor only |
| Kid-friendliness | Good for 7+, tough for under 5 | Good, quieter areas available | Good, family zones |
| Unique factor | City transforms entirely | Massive celebrity guest list | Deep manga/anime focus |
Lucca’s biggest advantage is the setting. You’re not in a sterile convention hall — you’re walking through a city that’s been hosting festivals since the Middle Ages. The downside is that it’s harder to find quiet spots. MCM London has dedicated quiet rooms and family zones. Lucca doesn’t. If you need a break, your best bet is to walk outside the walls to a park or café.
- Buy tickets online before October 16 and choose wristband shipping to skip the line.
- Bring a bag under 20 liters and leave all props that could be mistaken for weapons at home.
- If you’re bringing kids under 7, plan for breaks outside the walls — the noise and crowds are intense.
Before you go to Lucca Comics & Games
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes, but it’s difficult. The streets are cobblestone and packed. We brought a lightweight umbrella stroller for Ethan and it worked okay, but we had to carry it up stairs and through narrow alleys. A larger stroller would be a nightmare.
Is the festival worth it for someone who doesn’t read comics or play games?
Honestly, maybe not. The cosplay and atmosphere are fun, but the core of the event is the comics and gaming. If you’re not interested in either, you’ll spend a lot of money on entry and feel overwhelmed. Consider visiting Lucca on a non-festival weekend instead.
What’s the biggest disappointment about Lucca Comics?
The overcrowding. 80,000 people per day in a medieval city means you’ll spend a lot of time in lines and shuffling through crowds. Some pavilions had 45-minute waits just to enter. If you hate crowds, this isn’t for you.
Can I bring my dog?
Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The noise, crowds, and heat are stressful for animals. I saw a few dogs that looked miserable. Leave them at your accommodation or check out Italy’s best dog-friendly beaches for a quieter outing.
What should I eat while I’m there?
Lucca is famous for its street food during the festival. Look for tortelli lucchese (stuffed pasta) and cecina (chickpea flatbread). The Foodmetti area at Palazzo Guinigi had some excellent options. Avoid the generic food trucks near the main gates — the lines are long and the quality is lower.
Why Lucca Comics surprised me more than any Italian festival I’ve been to
I’ve been to a lot of Italian festivals — food festivals, historical reenactments, religious processions. None of them prepared me for Lucca Comics. It’s not a polished, curated experience. It’s messy, loud, and completely unapologetic about being a pop culture explosion inside a medieval shell. I went expecting a comic convention. I left realizing that Lucca, for four days, becomes something entirely its own — a city that lets its walls hold not just history, but also a giant inflatable Pikachu and a very serious Darth Vader. If you want to see a different side of Italy, one that’s geeky and joyful and a little bit chaotic, this is it. For more ideas on where to take the family in Tuscany, check out our guide to exploring Florence, Sardinia, Puglia, and Umbria.
Sources and further reading
Firenze Made in Tuscany. “Lucca Comics & Games 2025.” October 8, 2025. 🔗
Lucca Comics & Games. “Official Website — Tickets and Info.” 2025. 🔗
Visit Tuscany. “Lucca: The Walled City.” 2025. 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Rome’s Jubilee Year: How to Make Your Trip Smooth — Practical advice for visiting Rome during a major event year, including crowd management and booking tips.
Italy Joins 2026 Mediterranean Travel Hotspots — A look at emerging destinations in Italy and how to plan ahead for the next big travel season.
Explore Turin’s Museo Egizio: Egypt in Italy — A family-friendly guide to one of Italy’s best museums, perfect for a quieter cultural day trip.
Lake Como’s Glamorous Villas and Lakeside Charm — A relaxed alternative to the festival chaos, with villa tours and lake activities for all ages.