Lucca - Luminara

Posted by Anne (Dutton, Virginia, USA) on 07/03/24 02:32 PM

I will be in Lucca in mid September during the Luminara weekend. I'm thinking I should make a dinner reservation for that evening. What area would you suggest I go to watch the procession and is there a restaurant you would recommend near that area?

Also, any idea of the schedule for that night. I think the procession starts at 8 and fireworks at midnight. Do you need to be on the wall to see the fireworks? I'm staying near the Anfiteatro but prefer to be near my homebase later at night. Thank you in advance!

Posted by hiredman

San Diego, California, USA

07/03/24 03:34 PM

1144 posts

Hello Anne, I wish I had more information since I'll be there too. I'll be there for a few days before so I'm hoping to get some more information ahead of time. I did hear that there is some construction so the route this year might be a little different.

Here is schedule from 2022 which might help some: https://luccanews.org/event/the-festival-of-santa-croce/
Here is a video that talks about the festival and in the middle shows the usual route on Google maps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EdJJpl_SE0
The map is a about 4:30.

I'm looking forward to it!
=Tod

Posted by S J

Western Canada

07/03/24 04:04 PM

3514 posts

We happened to be there in 2019 for this event.
I think we just ate in our apartment rental, then walked to the centre of town.
The parade went on for literally hours as there were groups from all over the world.
Also every civic and community group and organization was represented.
It was very solemn, and a couple of older ladies near us “shushed” some noisy kids.
Very interesting, and be sure to walk around the town during the day to see big groups of workers putting up the lights in preparation.
All the street lights on the parade route were turned off for the parade.
I don’t remember any fireworks.

Posted by Accidental Southerner

New England

07/04/24 06:22 PM

701 posts

I was in Lucca last September 13. The procession started at 8pm from San Frediano church and went down Via Fillungo through Piazza Napoleone to the Duomo.

Locals had recommended standing along Via Fillungo or booking an outdoor table for dinner at the restaurant Pult on the corner of Via Fillungo and Via Sant’Andrea. When I booked for dinner, the staff made sure I knew that silence would be expected as the procession passed, so it is indeed solemn and taken very seriously.

The fireworks started about 11pm. People gathered on the northern part of wall, by San Frediano church, to watch.

The centro storico is small and very safe even at night so you shouldn’t have any problem returning to your lodging. There will be people around too.

Enjoy!