There is lots going on in Bagni di Lucca for Christmas.
Christmas events
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Category Archives: Things to see and do
Decorate for Christmas
The Municipality of Bagni di Lucca and Pro Loco have launched a competition…The most beautiful window in Santa’s Valley 2025.
Shop owners are invited to decorate their windows. Then take a photo and send it to cultura@comunebagnidilucca.it by December 8, 2025.
Voting will take place exclusively online by “Liking” the photos.
The criteria for evaluation should be based on…
Coherence with the Christmas theme
Originality and creativity
Attention to lighting and details
Ability to create a festive atmosphere
The winner will be determined by the number of “Likes” registered by midnight on December 25, 2025.
The first three most voted shopfronts will win..
1st place…€100 local shopping voucher
2nd place…Christmas hamper €100
3rd place…€50 voucher
The winners will be awarded on 6th January 2026, during the closing ceremony of the Santa Claus Valley Lottery.
By participating, the contestants authorise the use of the photos for promotional purposes of the event. The organisation reserves the power to exclude exclude inappropriate or non-conforming images. In case of equal merit, a final draw may be made.
I think this is a great idea. Participants will help to make Bagni di Lucca look wonderful for the festive season. I hope there will be lots of fabulous Christmas windows.
Christmas arrives at Auser
Auser, the excellent shop for pre-loved items in Ponte a Serraglio has just been stocked with great things for Christmas.
There is also a new collection of household items to choose from.
You will find the shop in Ponte a Serraglio on the road towards Bagni di Lucca Villa, on the river side.
All proceeds from Auser go to charity.
The new opening hours for Auser are…
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10.00 – 12.00 and 15.00 – 18.00
Beautiful Burlamacchi Villas
Bagni di Lucca is lucky to be home to the stunning Burlamacchi Villas. Owned by the historical Burlamacchi family, the beautiful villas are now managed by Francesca Burlamacchi. The original Villa has gradually been renovated and the property next door has been acquired and restored. The result is a magnificent property with two villas set in landscaped gardens, with a tranquil pool and fabulous views.
I visited recently with a friend and met charming Francesca Burlamacchi. What she has done with the villas is amazing. Her touch can be seen everywhere. Everything has been designed and chosen with love and great style. Nothing has been left to chance, there is a delightful surprise at every turn.
The main house was being cleaned after an event so I could not see inside. Francesca took me instead to the latest addition next door. The gardens have been connected and the two properties complement each other while each one has its own personality.
The house was known as Villa Bettini, then Casa Del Chiapa. The Burlamacchi family has renamed it Villa Shelly, in honour of Mary and Percy Shelley, who stayed in the house in the summer of 1818, shortly after the publication of Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein. She is believed to have reworked the ending while sitting in a secluded area of the garden.
Mary Shelley’s garden retreat.
The rest of the garden is lovely too.
The interior of the house is gorgeous.
The view over the houses below.
One the way out I passed a crocodile who has been part of Burlamacchi Villas for a very long time.
Thank you Francesca and Paola for a delightful visit.
Burlamacchi Villas is available for holidays, weddings, corporate events, retreats. They also hold music events which the public is invited to attend.
Burlamacchi Villas…Via S Francesco, 6
Bagni di Lucca
Phone +39 3928903388
info@burlamacchivillas.it
Chocolate in Lucca
There is a small chocolate festival in Lucca this weekend. It opened today so I dropped by to see the chocolate delights on offer. The stands are in Piazza San Frediano, in front of the magnificent church.
For those of you who like chocolate…and who doesn’t?…head to Lucca this weekend.
A Roman bath at Bernabo Spa
Bernabo Spa or Bagno Bernabo, in Ponte a Serraglio has a fabulous Roman bath, among other things. I tried other things on a previous visit, but thought it was time I tried the walk in bath.
The marble bath is filled with warm thermal spring water. Walk in and settle on the seating shelf, lie back and drift off into peaceful relaxation. It is the perfect antidote to a busy life.
I followed the deep water bath with a hot stone massage. It was wonderful and I floated off down the hill to my apartment and felt calm and relaxed for the rest of the day.
There are also smaller marble baths and lots of different treatments.
The spa has a long history. It was named after a Florentine man named Bernabo. He arrived in Bagni di Lucca in the first half of the 16th century and was healed from a serious skin ailment after bathing in the mud of the spa. Fast forward to 1810 when Napoleon’s sister Elisa Baciocchi built the current establishment. It looks much the same today as it did then. It was restored on 2006, brought back to life for lucky local residents and visitors to Bagni di Lucca.
http://www.termebagnobernabo.it
The Bagno Bernabo is open Monday to Sunday 9.00 – 18.00
Via Bagni Caldi 36, Ponte a Serraglio…It is a short, uphill walk from Bar Italia. There are a few parking spots if you have a car.
phone +39 331 171 9014 for information and appointments.
info@termebagnobernabo.it
The first Bagni di Lucca games
Someone in Bagni di Lucca had a great idea to bring together the people of the villages that make up the town. Then an amazing group of people pulled it all together to create a wonderfully successful event for everyone to enjoy..
Four teams were organised to compete in a friendly and fun way against each other in a series of games over a few weeks…rafting, tug of war, trivia, padel ball and much more.
This is just one week’s events.
The four teams were created…Trota (Trout) with Benabbio, Lugliano, Val di Lima and Controneria. Granchio (Crab) with Ponte a Serraglio, Granaiola and Montefegatese. Vipera (Viper) with Villa, Corsena and Paretaio. Elk (Dell’Alce) with Fornoli and Fegana.
Here are some photos from the games. I was only here for the final event in Bagni di Lucca Villa. All other photos I have scavenged from Facebook.
And the winner was…
Actually the winner was Bagni di Lucca and the people who live in this beautiful town. There was something for everyone and as you can see from the happy faces of the audiences, fun was had by all. What a great way to bring the community together and encourage pride in the town.
Congratulations to the Comune and all of the people who made this happen, the amazing organisers, the participants and the audiences who cheered them on. I would expect it will become a much loved annual event.
Magic at Villa Aurora
Ristorante Villa Aurora, in Fabbriche di Casabasciana, is a much loved restaurant in Bagni di Lucca. The delightful owner and chef, Ferdinando, has been cooking up a storm for years.
Regular customer and friend, Richard Macrory, Professor of Environmental Law in the UK, and amateur magician, is going to put on a magic show in honour of Ferdinando to thank him for his friendship and all of the delicious meals he has eaten there over many years.
The event will take place on Monday 8th of September at 9.00pm. Come for dinner and enjoy a free magic and illusion show with Richard and his assistants, Christian Boscarino and Monica Paolinelli.
It promises be a fun and delicious evening and a chance to thank Ferdinando for his work.
Please call Ristorante Villa Aurora for more information and to book a table. There is limited seating so book early.
Phone (39) 0583 85600
Come Dancing…Northern Soul in Bagni di Lucca
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The Heart and Soul Weekender is the brain child of Catherine Clift, an enthusiastic resident of Bagni di Lucca.
Her love of Northern Soul, a British subculture centred on a particular style of fast-tempo, obscure American soul music, mostly from the 60s and early 70s, has inspired her to bring an event to Bagni di Lucca. Northern Soul dancing is energetic, with complex footwork and high kicks.
The movement emerged from the British Mod Scene, with venues in Northern England and the Midlands. Iconic venues like the Twisted Wheel, the Wigan Casino and the Blackpool Mecca were crucial to the Northern Soul scene.
Northern Soul has seen a resurgence in recent years and Catherine and a group of like minded friends are bringing it to Bagni di Lucca in September. It has taken more than a year to bring everything together for what is going be a wonderful weekend of music, dance and fun!
On Friday 12th, Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th of September a music festival will be held with DJs from England, Jersey, Ireland and Italy. They will play vinyl records from the 50s to the 80s…Motown, Reggae, Rhythm and Blues, Ska, Latin and Mod music. Expect to hear The Kinks, the Isley Brothers, PP Arnold and so much more.
Bar Italia, the casino in Ponte a Serraglio (the first purpose built casino in Europe) and the Piaza Jean Varraud in La Viila will host more than 200 people travelling from all over Europe for the first event of its kind in Bagni di Lucca.
On Friday 12th September the event will kick off at Bar Italia in Ponte a Serraglio from 4.00pm and move to the casino where the music and dancing will continue until 2.00am.
Saturday 13th September will see the same programme.
On Sunday September will see the fun move to La Villa to the Piazza, Antico Caffe del Sonno and Bar Roma. There will be live music with local performers Polly Haardon and Barbara.
Expect to see people dressed for the occasion. The original Northern Soul aficionados wore in Mod style, baggy trousers, long skirts, vest tops and leather brogues. The right footwear is essential so the dancer can slide with ease on the dance floor.
The Italian Mod scene became prominent in the mid 80s and was centred around Rimini. It involved a vibrant subculture focussed on fashion, music, scooters and social gathering. Vespa and Lambretta scooters became a symbol of Soul. Expect to see colourful scooters at the casino.
I’m sure the Heart and Soul Weekender is going to be a huge success…perhaps it will become an annual event.
People are coming to Bagni di Lucca from far and wide for the event. Please book if you wish to attend and make sure you book accommodation.
For more information please contact Catherine at cathymckee21@gmail.com or telephone 0044 7398208731
Poetry and sculpture in Montefegatesi
Montefegatesi is hosting an exhibition of poetry, sculpture and painting in collaboration with the Borgo Degli Artisti. The inauguration will be in the Ermete Zacconi Theatre on Monday 4th August at 6.00pm.
On the following Sunday, 10th August, also at the theatre, there will be a concert to honour Bagni di Lucca’s poet, Mario Lena. The event begins at 6.00pm. Thank you Morena Guarnaschelli for the information.
Bella Bagni di Lucca 