All the big events in the Florence Area

The first few weeks of the year coincide with the last weeks for visiting great exhibitions about to end, such as Fra Angelico - between Palazzo Strozzi and the Museum of San Marco - open until January 26 and The Renaissance of Paolo Uccello at the Masaccio Museum of Sacred Art in Reggello, until January 25. 

It is also an interesting month for popular Florentine traditions, like the Celebration of Saint Zenobius on January 26, commemorating the miracle of the blossoming of the dead tree - which is the marble column in front of the Baptistery - and the romantic Festa dei Doni (Feast of Gifts) on January 31, when the Uffizi Gallery offers 2 for 1 tickets for all couples on this day. 

January is also the month of important international trade fairs: Pitti Immagine, an international point of reference for fashion, returns to Fortezza da Basso from January 13 to 23.

A short but full month! Staying on the subject of exhibitions, it's a good time to catch up and visit the Museo degli Innocenti, until February 22, to see Toulouse-Lautrec - a journey through Paris in the Belle Époque.

 Carnival is one of February's most important traditions: on February 1, it begins in Florence with the Grand Carnival Parade: an explosion of colors and masks in the heart of the historic center. Celebrations also carry on in neighboring municipalities: in San Mauro a Signa, for example, Carnival is experienced with floats, small trains and events for the whole family.

Also in Florence, there is the Partita dell’Assedio del Calcio Storico, a soccer match played for charity on Tuesday 17 February in Piazza Santa Croce. A symbolic event that evokes the spirit of the city during the siege by imperial troops, celebrating the historical "Florentine disregard".

Also this month, there will be lots of trade fair events: Taste , taking place at Fortezza da Basso from February 7 to 9, is dedicated to excellent foods and wines, as well as Danzainfiera, from February 20 to 22, a big international event dedicated to the world of dance, including shows, meetings and master classes.
Then there’s the program of events at Stazione Leopolda, including the Chianti Classico Collection on February 16 and 17 and Testo - Come si diventa un libro, February 27 to March 1, the fair narrating the world of publishing through authors, publishers and readers.

The month of March brings Mark Rothko (1903-1970) to Florence, a big Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi exhibition dedicated to the undisputed master of American modern art, from March 14 to August 23, 2026. 

Another nice tradition celebrated in March is Capodanno Fiorentino on March 25, a time of celebration and excitement for citizens and visitors alike. 
The month also comes alive with international fairs and festivals: Korea Film Festival from March 19 to 28, Europe Project Week at Fortezza da Basso from March 19 to 21 and the fun Florence Games Festival on March 21 and 22, combining gaming, innovation and culture. 

Athletes can participate in the Half Marathon on March 29, while those who love to discover local traditions and the area around Florence can take advantage of a captivating medieval carnival: that of Calenzano, in the Castle with a fortified appearance.

April is the month of flowers and Easter! The Easter float traditions are important, primarily the Explosion of the Cart on Sunday, April 5, a spectacular ceremony that lights up Piazza del Duomo, in Florence.

Other floats, similar but not the same, are also on parade in Figline Valdarno and Rufina during the evening of Holy Saturday or on Easter morning. 

Another Easter tradition that turns into a show is The Historical Reenactment of the Passion of Christ, staged outdoors in Grassina (Bagno a Ripoli) on Good Friday, April 3. 

On the flower front, there are two typical events during the month, opening simultaneously on April 25: The Iris Garden is a showcase of colors and varieties of the city’s symbolic plant, while the Spring Plant and Flower Market Fair in the beautiful Horticultural Garden is an opportunity to stock up on new plants. 
Also worth mentioning is MIDA, the international crafts exhibition, held from April 25 to May 3 at Fortezza da Basso.

The first event in this month's busy schedule is the Marzocco Trophy on May 1, an exciting flag-waving competition in Piazza della Signoria, celebrating the art and precision of a historical Florentine tradition. 

Also in Florence, May 23 commemorates the burning to which Fra' Girolamo Savonarola was condemned - a tradition with a historical procession and a tribute to the plaque that still commemorates the exact spot, in Piazza della Signoria.

The traditions of the past don't end there though: the very captivating 31st Medieval Festival takes place in Malmantile - Lastra a Signa - at the end of May. 

Identified by the name of the festival, this is the month of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the most ancient music festival in Italy and among the most prestigious internationally, which inaugurates its 88th season of operas and concerts in the theater of the same name.

Families and children can't miss Firenze dei Bambini, the city's big annual event dedicated to children, including workshops, shows and creative activities. 

While exploring the area, we want to point out a few events linked to typical products: Toscanello d'Oro, a festival of wine and good food in Pontassieve; Buongiorno Ceramica (in the towns with this craft tradition, especially Impruneta and Sesto Fiorentino); and the Antica Fiera del Bestiame in Rignano sull'Arno, an event based on animal husbandry and one that brings people closer to the world of agriculture.

Summer begins and Florence celebrates its history and its patron saint with fireworks on June 24 for St. John the Baptist; the three games of the Calcio Storico tournament are also played during this month. 

June's hallmark is also music: for those who love live events, the eagerly awaited Firenze Rocks takes place. From June 12 to 14, at the Visarno Arena, there’s a super international lineup: Lenny Kravitz on the 12th, also accompanied by Salmo, Robbie Williams on the 13th and The Cure on the 14th, as well as artists like Mogwai, The Twilight Sad and Just Mustard. 

The Estate Fiorentina and Estate Fiesolana, excellent summer festivals, also start in June, while Ville e Giardini Incantati (Enchanted Villas and Gardens) includes concerts by the Orchestra della Toscana at the Medici Villas in and around Florence. International dance also flourishes in the courtyard of Santa Maria Novella, with the 37th Florence Dance Festival. 
There are outdoor summer events in numerous local municipalities too, such as Lunaria, in Calenzano.

More music! Concert-lovers can experience the Musart festival in the Medici Park of Pratolino, where the scenery is also exceptional.
In July, it is always possible to participate in the Firenze dall’Alto (Florence from Above) special openings, when Florence's historical towers and walls are open for decidedly extraordinary visits. 

A great Florentine tradition taking place on July 26 is the Historical Costume Parade for St. Anne a celebration that takes citizens and visitors back through the history and colors of the past. 

There’s also a great tradition in Londa, with Ludorum Dies, a sort of medieval tournament involving the whole village.

August in Florence is very hot and relatively quiet and, while most people flock to the coasts, the city empties out. Everyone seeks some relief from the heat, moving to the lakes and rivers or, as a last resort, swimming pools. 

We want to mention August 10, the day of Saint Laurence, co-patron saint of the city, when shooting stars may be seen: this is the time when the San Lorenzo district is transformed into the stage of a true folk festival with free pasta with meat sauce and watermelon for all and DJ sets under the basilica. 

At the end of the month, two events are planned to take place around Florence: great participation for the Ancient Fair of Signa with the Burning of the Tower and an interesting program at the Festival of Sounds and Colors in Tuscany, with concerts in the villas and parish churches of Rignano sull'Arno.

Once the month of August is over, it's back to traditions, art and celebrations involving the entire city and its surroundings. 

In Florence, there is the Rificolona Festival on September 7: a magical atmosphere for adults and children, thanks to the colorful paper lanterns. 

The Carro Matto (Crazy Cart) comes to Florence, from Rufina, loaded with 1,500 wine flasks, a tradition dedicated to the arrival of the new wine, enlivening the city on the fourth Saturday of the month. 

However, there is folklore all across the territory: the spectacular 99th Grape Festival in Impruneta with the parade of floats and the Giostra della Stella (Joust of the Star), 48th edition of the Palio delle Contrade districts of Bagno a Ripoli. 

Art lovers cannot miss the 34th BIAF - Biennial Antiques Fair, from September 26 to October 4 at Palazzo Corsini, a prestigious event for collectors and connoisseurs, taking place every two years. 

Also taking place at a Corsini property is Crafts and Palace, an exhibition of top level artisans in a setting of rare beauty, the Giardino Corsini al Prato Garden, from September 11 to 13. 

Lastly, there is Corrilavita, the most important charity event in Italy that combines sports, culture and solidarity, taking place on the last Sunday of the month!

The 50 Days of Cinema, kicking off in Florence at the La Compagnia Cinema, is a series of nine top-notch international film festivals for film lovers. 

Trade Fairs flourish: the International Ceramics Fair takes place in Piazza Santa Croce on the first weekend of the month, while the Big Fair opens in Scandicci, filling the city center with commercial activities for about 10 days. 

Impruneta also celebrates one of the oldest market fairs, the Fair of San Luca, on October 18. ...and since this is the season, there are also plenty of chestnut festivals to look out for.

While November in Florence is the month of The Legacy of Women, an event dedicated to women's empowerment and skills, olive oil festivals also flourish throughout the area.

In fact, extra virgin olive oil is the protagonist in Calenzano, Bagno a Ripoli, Reggello and Fiesole. There are big events taking place in Figline Incisa with Autumnia, dedicated to agriculture, environment and food. 

With one eye already on Christmas: the traditional Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce starts around November 20, where you can enjoy "northern" foods and mulled wine or buy some original Christmas decorations. 

Lastly, the Florence Marathon, the nation's premier road running event, second only to the Rome Marathon, is among the top 20 most important marathons in the world for the beauty of the course: it is run on the last Sunday in November. 

Around December 8, all the local areas begin to focus on Christmas. In Florence, it begins when all the big Christmas trees are lit up, starting with the one in front of the Cathedral. 

Florence Lights Up, the festival of lights, also kicks off, with projections on some of the city's main monuments such as Ponte and Palazzo Vecchio, while the Ferris wheel and the skating rink at Fortezza da Basso make the Florence on Ice Village magical. 

Events, markets and Christmas lights are also regular events in Fiesole, Campi Bisenzio, Sesto Fiorentino and Impruneta. In the municipality of Pontassieve, we want to point out the beautiful living nativity scene of Santa Brigida. 

What happens on the 31st? Everyone flocks to the squares in Florence and elsewhere for a New Year's Eve with music!