5 Best Performing Arts in Tuscany, Italy

Throughout the summer there are jazz, pop, and rock concerts in conjunction with the Estate Musicale Lucchese music festival. It happens in the large, beautiful Piazza Napoleone. Ask the tourist information office for more information.

During the first weekend of November, the city's piazzas are filled with tents featuring exhibitions and games, and the streets are invaded with comic-book fans and gamers for Lucca Comics and Games. During the last week of October, and continuing through the Comics festival, a mostra mercato (market show) takes place as well.

Schedule and ticket information for many local events, including the Opera Theater and Estate Musicale Lucchese festivals, are available at the Lucca Tourist Office.

Sponsored by the Opera Theater of Lucca and the music college of the University of Cincinnati, the Opera Theater and Music Festival of Lucca runs from mid-June to mid-July; performances are staged in open-air venues. Call the Lucca tourist office or the Opera Theater of Lucca ( 0583/46531) for information.

From September through April you can see operas, plays, and concerts staged at the Teatro del Giglio.