Lucca Comics & Games 2025 returns to the Tuscan walled city from Wednesday 29 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, with exhibitions already running from 18 October inside museums and palaces around town.

The official theme is “French Kiss”, a tribute to France and its tradition of bande dessinée, with the festival poster by French illustrator Rébecca Dautremer. Expect five packed days of comics, games, video games, fantasy literature, cosplay, screenings and live events spread across Lucca’s Renaissance center.

 

What’s new and who’s coming: program & guest highlights

The 2025 line-up blends household names and cult creators across media. Among the headline guests listed on the official site: authors Rick Riordan, Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, thriller writer Glenn Cooper; comics legends Kevin Eastman (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), John Romita Jr., illustrators Aleksi Briclot, Magali Villeneuve, Marie Cardouat; game designers and visual storytellers Johan Nohr, Thomas Koegler, and more. The guest list is still expanding, so check it frequently.

Big stage news includes Netflix choosing Lucca to celebrate the final season of Stranger Things, and Hideo Kojima’s stop in Lucca as part of DEATH STRANDING WORLD STRAND TOUR 2, both flagged in the festival’s latest updates. On the games side, look for areas curated with partners like Bandai Namco, Samsung and PalaEsport, while the Carducci pavilion remains the beating heart for tabletop & role-playing, with previews, tournaments and meet-ups. Music and game culture crossovers include marquee names such as Keiichirō Toyama, John Romero, Luca “poncle” Galante (Vampire Survivors) and Yoko Shimomura.

A few program picks already live in the schedule: a Maxi Showcase with Kevin Eastman (Oct 29), signing sessions with Akemi Takada (Oct 30), Rick Riordan on Oct 31, a Maxi Showcase with Tetsuo Hara (Fist of the North Star) on Oct 31, a Critical Role 10-Year celebration (Nov 1), and a special Dungeon Crawler Carl event (Nov 2). There’s even a “poncle Village” for Vampire Survivors running daily at Casa del Boia. Many of these require booking inside the official program/app.

Exhibitions run 18 Oct–2 Nov across venues and some are free access a great way to experience Lucca’s palazzi without the crowd peaks.

 

Tickets, bracelets, caps and upgrades: a practical guide 

  • Sale windows & caps. General public sales opened 2 September (11:00 CEST). The festival caps attendance at 80,000 tickets per day. Each buyer can purchase up to 5 tickets per transaction.
  • You need a ticket + a bracelet to access pavilions and controlled areas. If you choose e-ticket or print@home, you’ll collect the bracelet at the Welcome Desks in Lucca; if you add “Skip the Welcome Desk” (available until 09:00 on 16 Oct), tickets + bracelets are shipped to you, letting you enter directly. Shipments start 16 Sept.
  • Prices 2025 (online totals): Wed €26; Thu €29; Fri €33; Sat €33; Sun €31. Subscriptions range from 2-day combos (€40–€56) to 5-day (€95 onsite/€95 online total); Level Up premium passes are also available. Onsite prices mirror online totals. Always check the official price chart for the latest.
  • Kids & concessions. Children born after 1 Jan 2016 enter free when accompanied by an adult with valid ticket and bracelet. Dedicated procedures apply for people with disabilities and caregivers (consult the FAQ).

Pro tip: Wednesday and Thursday are cheaper and typically less crowded; pre-booking with shipping saves time in the morning queues.

 

Getting to Lucca Comics & Games: trains, buses, parking & shuttles

  • Train. Lucca station (Piazza Ricasoli) is a short walk from the walls, with direct connections from Florence SMN, Pisa Centrale and Viareggio. Buy tickets via Trenitalia.
  • Event bus. The Eventi in Bus option bundles a day ticket + round trip and includes the bracelet handy if you want to skip the Welcome Desk.
  • Car & parking. Parking near the center must be pre-booked online via Lucca Plus; onsite purchase is not available. Book early, especially for Fri–Sun.
  • Shuttles. A free shuttle connects the center with Japan Town / Polo Fiere during the event (timetable published closer to the dates).

How the city is laid out: The festival uses multiple districts, Carducci (tabletop), Japan Town at Polo Fiere, the Old Town squares for comics/video game pavilions, and bastions on the walls for communities and live shows. Use the interactive map & exhibitors page to plan your route.

 

What’s free, and what isn’t at Lucca Comics & Games 2025

You can walk the city and walls without a ticket (except where stands occupy bastions). Free-access areas include Family Palace, Self Area, Area Pro, IMT Library – Game Science, Giardino degli Osservanti (Community Village, Cosplay, fan groups) and some exhibitions. A ticket + bracelet is required for pavilions, signings, showcases and most indoor stages.

 

Rules you should actually read

Security checks are in place across entry points. Notably forbidden: bags >20L, spray cans, alcohol >5%, glass, tripods, poles/chains, drones, bicycles/skates/hoverboards, tents/sleeping bags, suitcases/trolleys (or subject to checks), and any weapons or explosives.

Cosplay props: firearm replicas must have a red tip; no sharp blades or cutting edges. Blunt, safe props aligned with your costume are fine. Always comply with staff requests.

 

Smart planning – checklist

  • Install the official app and star your events; many Maxi Showcases/signings require booking.
  • Choose your day (Wed–Sun) and buy early; consider a multi-day pass if you want exhibitions + pavilions + evening shows.
  • Decide arrival mode: train (easiest), Eventi in Bus (bracelet included), or car with pre-booked parking.
  • Travel light (≤20L), bring water/snacks (permitted; check food rules in FAQ), and plan a midday break in a quieter area or an exhibition venue.
  • Families: kids born after 1/1/2016 are free with an adult ticket holder.

 

Key facts at a glance

  • Dates: 29 Oct–2 Nov 2025; exhibitions 18 Oct–2 Nov.
  • Theme: French Kiss (France guest of honour; poster by Rébecca Dautremer).
  • Selected guests: Rick Riordan, Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Kevin Eastman, John Romita Jr., Aleksi Briclot, Magali Villeneuve, and more; Stranger Things showcase; Hideo Kojima appearance.
  • Tickets: from €26–€33 per day online totals; 5-day from €95; daily cap 80,000; max 5 tickets per buyer; bracelet required; Skip the Welcome Desk shipping until 16 Oct, 09:00.
  • Getting there: train (Florence/Pisa/Viareggio links), Eventi in Bus (ticket + bracelet), pre-booked parking, free shuttle to Japan Town/Polo Fiere.

• • Free areas: Family Palace, Self Area, Area Pro, IMT Library–Game Science, Giardino degli Osservanti, parts of the walls and some exhibitions.