Best time to visit Lunigiana
By the TravelCheap Editorial Team · Updated October 28, 2026
Go between late June and mid-August for the medieval festivals, or in October for the chestnut festivals and autumn colour. Summers are warm and mostly clear; winters are long and cold.
The 2027 festival dates aren't published yet. The dates below are from 2026 (and 2025 for some autumn events), and most festivals keep roughly the same weekend each year.
Lunigiana through the year
| Season | What happens | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April to June) | Green valleys, quieter villages | Walking the Via Francigena, castle visits |
| Summer (late June to August) | Medieval festivals and the Premio Bancarella | Evenings in the villages, mountain lakes |
| Autumn (September to November) | La Vaccareccia in Aulla, chestnut festivals every October Sunday | Food, especially chestnut dishes |
| Winter (December to March) | Christmas markets and nativity scenes | Short, quiet stays combined with Cinque Terre |
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Compare hotels in AullaFestivals and events
| Event | Where | Last dates |
|---|---|---|
| C'era Una Volta | Albiano Magra | 26 to 28 June 2026 |
| Medieval Festival | Fosdinovo | 4 to 5 July 2026 |
| Disfida degli Arcieri (archery contest) | Fivizzano | 10 to 12 July 2026 |
| Zùp'r e l'Borgo | Villafranca in Lunigiana | 11 to 12 July 2026 |
| Premio Bancarella (book prize) | Pontremoli, Piazza della Repubblica | July |
| Filetto Rinascimentale | Filetto | 12 to 16 August 2026 |
| Medievalis | Pontremoli | August |
| La Vaccareccia food festival | Aulla | Three weekends in September |
| Chestnut festivals (castagnate) | Filetto, Pontremoli, Licciana Nardi; Sassalbo around 1 November | October Sundays (2025 calendar) |
| Living nativity in the caves | Equi Terme | 25 to 28 December 2025 |
Sources: Historical events in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany), Disfida degli Arcieri, Fivizzano (Visit Tuscany), Premio Bancarella 2026 (La Nazione), Aulla (Visit Tuscany), Chestnut festivals in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany) and Christmas in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany). 2027 dates were not announced as of October 2026.
Which month to choose
- July: the busiest month for events, with the Disfida degli Arcieri, the Fosdinovo festival and the Premio Bancarella close together.
- October: chestnut festivals every Sunday and the best time for chestnut dishes.
- May or June: mild weather for walking and quieter roads before the summer festivals.
- December: Christmas markets in Pontremoli on weekends and the living nativity in the Equi caves.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Lunigiana?
July for festivals, October for chestnut festivals and food, and May or June for walking in mild weather.
When is the Premio Bancarella?
The book prize is awarded in July in Piazza della Repubblica, Pontremoli. The 74th edition was decided in July 2026.
Are there chestnut festivals in Lunigiana?
Yes. In the 2025 calendar they ran every Sunday in October in Filetto and Pontremoli, on mid-October weekends in Licciana Nardi, and around 1 November in Sassalbo.
Plan the trip
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More Lunigiana guides
Sources
- Historical events in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)
- Disfida degli Arcieri, Fivizzano (Visit Tuscany)
- Premio Bancarella 2026 (La Nazione)
- Aulla (Visit Tuscany)
- Chestnut festivals in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)
- Christmas in Lunigiana (Visit Tuscany)
Prices, timetables and trail status change. We checked the figures on this page on October 28, 2026. Found something out of date? Email contact@travelcheap.online.