Florence Events
Scoppio del Carro (The Explosion of The Cart)
On Easter Sunday, a large wagon is pulled by white oxen in front of Florence’s cathedral to commemorate the knight Pazzino de 'Pazzi, who planted the banner of the Cross on the battlements of Jerusalem during the First Crusade (1096-1099). As a gift he received some flint fragments from the Holy Sepulchre. Upon his return to Florence the stones were used to start the Sacred Fire of Holy Saturday and were paraded through the city as homage to it in a richly decorated chariot.
Date: 09 April 2023 - 09 April 2023Venue: Florence
Cost:
Free.
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Florence Musical Festival)
Along with Bayreuth and Salzburg, the Florence Music Festival ranks among the oldest and most important European music festivals. More than this, it incorporates annual concert, opera and ballet seasons. Today the festival resides at the centre of musical life in Florence, based in the 2,000-seat Teatro Comunale and neighbouring Piccolo Teatro, a small, modern theatre accommodating an audience of 600. Many great conductors - Vittorio Gui, Myung-Whun Chung, Zubin Mehta and Riccardo Muti - have graced the Comunale, as well as singers of such stature as the divine Maria Callas.
Date: 22 April 2023 - 08 July 2023Venue: Teatro Comunale, Piccolo Teatro and Teatro Goldoni.
Website: https://www.maggiofiorentino.com/en
Cost:
Various
Fiesole Summer Festival
Every summer, the Florence Dance Festival takes place at the Teatro Romano in Fiesole, as part of the wider Estate Fiesolana programme of music, poetry and cinema.
Date: 15 June 2023 - 03 August 2023Venue: Fiesole Roman theatre.
Website: https://www.bitconcerti.it/estate-fiesolana-2023.html
Cost:
Various.
Festa di San Giovanni (St John's Day)
Another aspect of celebrations for the saint's day, involving a ceremonial procession from Palazzo Vecchio, while there are large fireworks displays at night over the Arno river. A popular activity while watching the fireworks is eating gelato, which is similar to ice cream.
Date: 24 June 2023 - 24 June 2023Venue: Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Cost:
Free.
Fabbrica Europa
Avant garde artists and performers create performances and artworks in a former station on the western edge of Florence's historical centre.
Date: 01 September 2023 - 31 October 2023(Date to be confirmed)
Venue: Various venues around Florence.
Website: https://fabbricaeuropa.net/en/
Cost:
Various.
La Rificolona (Festival of the Lanterns)
A torchlight procession dating back to the days of religious pilgrimage to celebrate the Virgin's nativity, with children carrying lanterns all over the city. In Florence, the large basilica of Santissima Annunziata marks her birthday, which is a day of celebration. Today, a market is still held in the square in the form of a huge fair of organic produce preceding the festival. It is very common for most lanterns to be burned by the end of the night.
Date: 07 September 2023 - 07 September 2023Venue: Throughout Florence.
Cost:
Free.
Firenze Marathon (Florence Marathon)
Annual Florence marathon through the city centre, with over 10,000 runners taking part. Highlights along the route include the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio bridge and Stadia Comunale.
Date: 26 November 2023 - 26 November 2023Venue: Start and finish at Piazza Duomo.
Website: https://www.firenzemarathon.it/en/
Cost:
Free to spectate.
