One of Florence’s greatest qualities is its energy. Whether you are a local, a traveler, a student or a tourist, there is always an event and festival to participate in. A great way to immerse yourself in Florence’s culture is to embrace the traditions and celebrations that energize the city each season.
Winter in Florence
December
Florence begins the holiday season with a yearly Christmas tree lighting in front of the Duomo around the 8th of December. From the first week of December to January 15th, Cascine Park transforms into a Christmas village. Under the towering Ferris Wheel, displaying holiday-themed lights, is a large ice-skating rink surrounding a booming Christmas tree.
January
During this “off-season” from tourism, take advantage of Arriviano I Saldo (sales) in businesses and shops around the city. Sales begin on the 5th and last until the end of the month. For fashion lovers, Pitti Uomo is an important event celebrating men’s fashion, a novelty in Florence and worldwide. From the 9th to the 26th, held in Fortezza da Basso, vendors from all over the world will promote their clothing, as well as male models and guests dressed in stylish pieces. This affair holds significance in the trends and publishing forecast for the year ahead.
February
Venice isn’t the only place where Italians celebrate Carnivale. In the lead up to lent, Florence hosts a carnival parade filling the city with masks, confetti, face painting, and an overall feeling of excitement and preparation for Lent. This celebration continues into February, meaning popular carnival treats like fritelle, cenci, and schiacciata alla Fiorentina.
If you want to catch a more traditional and modern form of soccer, look out for the ACF Fiorentina team’s schedule. Games play in both February and March.
Spring in Florence
March
Celebrate the season of growth with the Florentine New Year on March 25th. Beginning at Paladin di Parte Guelfa, a historical procession will take you to the Basilica of SS. Annunziata. To kick off the beginning of the civic calendar year, you can honor your New Year’s resolution to stay active by joining the locals on “Walking Day” on the 28th. This gathering brings people together from all walks of life (no pun intended). Ranging from young to old, athletic and not, you can connect with a walk all around the city. The only rule is “no running.”
April
This is the month when flowers spring into life in Florence. Take advantage of the blossoms emerging in Boboli Gardens, Bardini Gardens, and the Rose Garden during business hours. You can also find a floral exhibition in the Corsini Garden on the 6th and 7th. Beginning on the 12th, enjoy Florence food trucks at this three-day event of quick, delicious tastings in Cascine Park behind the Florence Eye (Ferris Wheel). Easter Sunday holds the special, historical Scoppio del Carro or “explosion of the cart” event. This takes place in front of the Duomo Cathedral and involves a symbol of the Holy Spirit, a flying dove rocketing into a large cart equipped with fireworks. A successful ignition of flames indicates good luck.
May
Be sure to visit the Iris Gardens at the beginning of May, when the flowers are in full bloom. You’ll enjoy various Iris flowers’ lovely shapes and colors and their alluring floral scent. If you want an opportunity to move your body, sign up for the Deejay Ten race. It offers a 5k and 10k challenge, including a trek up the hills of Pizzelle Michelangelo. If you choose to participate, you will be cheered on by locals and hear live deejay music.
Summer in Florence
June
For an experience like no other, head to Piazza Santa Croce for the historic Calcio Storico match in mid June. There, you’ll find two teams representing different Florentine neighborhoods playing a sport with rugby, football, and soccer components. Celebrating the origins of this 16th-century game, members of two of the four teams, Santo Spirito (white), Santa Croce (blue), Santa Maria Novella (red), and San Giovanni (green), suit up in colorful Renaissance garb to play a 50-minute match.
Beginning mid-June and lasting until September, the historical ruins site in Fiesole hosts a music, cinema, and theatre festival. You can easily hop on a 30-minute bus ride and enjoy the archaeological amphitheater on a warm summer night. You can catch free showings of short films, documentaries, and movies in the courtyard of Piazzale degli Ufizzi.
July
There are many music festivals in and around Florence during the summer months. It’s the perfect time to be out with friends listening to your favorite bands. From mid to late July, the Florence Dance Festival from July 1st to August 5th. These shows will take place at the Church of Santa Maria Novella. Then, the “Florence Rocks” music festival will occur from the 21st to the 23rd at Manifattura Tabacchi (Via delle Cascine, 35).
August
On the third weekend of the month, the Fortezza da Basso hosts an antiques and flea market where you can find new summer treasures. To take advantage of the warm summer weather while it lasts, head down to “spiaggetta sull’Arno” (little beach on the Arno) for the Easy Living Beach event that runs until 14 September. Here, you can enjoy meeting new people, eating flavorful foods, and listening to live music. And don’t forget about the weekly sunset yoga on Wednesdays.
Fall in Florence
September
You won’t want to miss “Festa della Rificolona” or the Festival of the Paper Lanterns. On the 8th, to celebrate Mary’s birth, Florentines hold lanterns to light the way through the city from Piazza Santa Felicita to Piazza Santissima Annunziata. The 20th marks the beginning of the Forissimissimo Firenze Festival. Until October 5th, classical music performances will be held at the Cherubini Music Conservatory.
October
Enjoy handmade artisans at the Ceramic Fair in SS Annunziata Square on the 5th and 7th, from plates and bowls to lamps and tiles. This is an especially great time to visit museums or take in the last of the mild sunny days before the rain and cold comes.
November
As fall winds down, visit Piazza Santa Croce for the German-style holiday market, Weihnachtsmarkt, beginning on the 28th and ending on December 20th (10 am–10 pm). You can find many traditional-style beers, mulled wines, pretzels, and sausages here.
Written by Spring 2024 Student Ella Enright