On Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August, from 17:00 to midnight, the Villa Comunale Traniello in Gaeta will be filled with dice, gaming tables, comic books, and latex swords. Gaeta Comics & Games is back, and this year it brings a fresh new look.
For years it was known as Gaeta Games and was an event dedicated purely to gaming. Starting with the 2026 edition, it opens its doors to the so-called ninth art—comics—and becomes something broader: two days where board games sit side by side with original artwork, illustrators, and cosplayers. Admission is free and the event is organized by Pro Loco Gaeta.
What to expect over the two days
The detailed schedule will be announced on the event’s official channels, but the five main areas are already set.
Comics and books
Exhibitors, stands, and catalogues: from graphic novels to newsstand series, creator-owned comics to manga. It is also the ideal place to hunt down out-of-print editions—the kind of find that rarely happens online amid algorithms.
Role-playing games
If you have never played before: a group of people gathers around a table, role-playing characters in a story guided by a narrator, with the roll of the dice deciding how events unfold. All you need is about an hour and no prior experience—at the demo tables you learn by playing, and it is the best way to understand why Dungeons & Dragons has become so popular again among adults.
Board games and wargames
Forget standard family board games: modern board game design is vast, ranging from twenty-minute casual titles to full-afternoon strategic sessions. Wargames bring in miniatures, where hand-painted armies clash across detailed terrain dioramas—fascinating to watch even just as a passerby.
LARP duels
LARP stands for Live Action Role-Playing: role-playing acted out live, in costume. Duels are fought with soft, padded weapons following precise combat rules. It is the most photographed part of the event and the easiest to enjoy for casual onlookers.
Artist Corner
A dedicated space for illustrators and crafters: art prints, commissioned portraits, and handmade creations. Here you can chat directly with the artists and often watch a piece come to life right before your eyes.
Cosplayers are welcome
The organizers have made it clear: cosplayers—anyone coming dressed as a character from comics, movies, series, or video games—are warmly welcomed. You don’t need championship-level armor: you can join in at Villa Comunale just as easily with a homemade costume.
Practical information
- When: Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026, from 17:00 to 24:00.
- Where: Villa Comunale Traniello, Lungomare Caboto, Gaeta.
- Admission: free, open entry throughout the event.
- Organized by: Pro Loco Gaeta. Official radio partner: Radio Spazio Blu.
Villa Comunale is the public garden along the seafront promenade, the one featuring the war memorial and cannons: offering shade, benches, and views across the gulf. It is also a very convenient location with children, as the area is entirely flat and enclosed.
How to get there and where to park
On summer evenings, the seafront is the busiest part of Gaeta, and even more so in late August: we recommend arriving early or parking a little further away and enjoying a short stroll along the water. In our guide to parking in Gaeta you will find updated blue-line pay-and-display rates, private car parks, and the town’s two free parking areas, along with walking times to the centre.
If you prefer to ask directly, Enea—the ScopriGaeta assistant—can help with questions on parking, opening hours, and ZTL (restricted traffic zones) at any time via the central button in the bottom bar.
Event details
Dates, times, map, and directions are available on the Gaeta Comics & Games 2026 event page, where you will also find a button to start navigation directly to Villa Comunale.
And if you are wondering what else is happening in town during these days, our Gaeta events page is updated every morning.
