Home / Events
Calcio Fiorentino or Calcio in Costume - better known in Florence as Calcio Storico - is a traditional football game dating back to the 15th century. A violent mix of football, soccer, wrestling and perhaps boxing, the tournament is played in medieval costume every year from mid to late June.
The final match is always held on June 24th, as a celebration of the city's patron saint, St. John the Ba... read more.
Carro Matto, which roughly translates to Crazy Cart in English, is the traditional Florentine festival held annually to celebrate the new wine harvest. The event is celebrated on September 29th, the feast day of Saint Michael, who is the patron saint of grocers and merchants. It has historical roots going back to the Middle Ages, and it's one of the many traditions that contribute to the rich cult... read more.
One of our favorite annual events in Florence is the Fiera della Ceramica (ceramics fair).
Historically this event was held in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, but for 2023 the 24th edition will take place in Piazza Santa Croce on October 7th and 8th. The event is organized by the Arte della Ceramica.
It is a wonderful market with so much unique work by a wide variety of European ceramists, with m... read more.
One of our favorite English language bookstores, The Paperback Exchange, is hosting children's English language theater every Saturday until Christmas. At the bookstore (located near the Duomo on Via delle Oche), The Florence International Theatre Company will be presenting "Merry Christmas, Strega Nona" - a dramatization of the children's book by Tomie de Paola, directed by Amy Folkes (... read more.
Here are some first photos from the 2010 edition of "Fiera del Cioccolato Artiginale" in Piazza Santa Croce:
... read more.
From ANSA:
"Starting Monday, city residents and visitors here will get a preview of Italy's first CowParade, the now world famous public art charity event .
Local artists worked throughout the summer preparing the life-sized, fiberglass cow replicas which will officially be on display from October 22 to January 20."
More from ANSA here, official CowParade.it site here.... read more.
I had a chance Sunday afternoon to see the new Desiderio Da Settignano exhibit (it opened last Thursday) at the Bargello so I took it. This is an important show, drawing on works from the Bargello's own collection, the Lourve, The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and the Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna among others.... read more.
Donna Donne is a traveling exhibition of contemporary art, curated by Adelina von Fürstenberg and conceived by the NGO ART for The World on the occaison of the tenth anniversary of the Declaration of Peking. After Florence it will go on to Brussels and San Paolo. The 33 artists taking part, men and women from Italy and other parts of the world, focus on the principal aspects of the femal perce... read more.
From AGI:
Florence, Italy, Sep 22 - A leap into the daily life of Nefertiti and Ramses III will be offered by "The Five Senses. The pleasure of life in Ancient Egypt," the cultural event sponsored by the National Archaeological Museum of Florence-the Egypt Section and the Aboca Musem in occasion of the "European Heritage Days," dedicated this year to the culture of living. Realised with the help ... read more.
St. Reparata has her own niche to the left of the main center door of the Duomo, just one indicator to her importance to Florentine religious history
Santa Reparata is celebrated as a saint of the Catholic Church and the co-patron saint of Florence annually on October 8th. The ancient Cathedral of Florence is dedicated to her worship due to the legend that she miraculously interceded on behalf of... read more.
Each year on March 8 International Women's Day is celebrated throughout the world. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day. Italian's call this day "Festa della Donna... read more.
Italy's Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) is a national Italian holiday commemorating the end of the World War II and the Nazi occupation of the country. There is usually a morning ceremony in Piazza dell'Unità with Carabinieri marching band, war veterans and city officials, and a concert in the afternoon in Piazza Signoria. Wreaths are set out in the city in various locations, similar to ... read more.
The Rificolona parade leaving Piazza Signoria
September is a time for many Florentine and Tuscan events and festivals. One of our favorite nights of the year in Florence is the Festa della Rificolona, an evening parade of sorts through the streets of Florence, with children carrying paper lanterns lit with candles, while other children shoot the lanterns with pea shooters! (In the modern version ... read more.
They are gearing up for the Florence Biennale already (it is six months away - so put it on your calendar!):
"The sixth edition of the Florence Biennale of Contemporary Art will take place at the historic Fortezza da Basso from 1st - 9th December, 2007. This year's edition will include, as honoured guests, the acclaimed artists Gilbert & George and from the White Cube Gallery London, Tim Marlow. ... read more.
More poor planning - the Florence Biennale is this week. We still have a few days to make it over there, it runs through December 11th.... read more.
Here is the official site of the 2016 Gelato Festival - the final event of the season is September 1st to 4th, at Piazzale Michelangelo:
THE FIRST TWO WINNERS FROM EACH STAGE OF THE TOUR WILL CHALLENGE ONE ANOTHER IN THE GRAND FINAL IN FLORENCE.
18 OF EUROPE'S MASTER GELATO MAKERS
WILL ENTER THEIR OWN UNIQUE FLAVOURS IN AN EFFORT TO BECOME
THE OUTRIGHT WINNER OF THE 2016 GELATO FESTIVAL
PURCHAS... read more.
This event usually takes place sometime during the second half of March. You can always check their website for the most up to date information: http://www.koreafilmfest.com
... read more.
From ANSA:
Washington, November 12 - A Washington exhibition of recently restored stone masterpieces from Florence's Orsanmichele church has been extended due to huge demand.
Visitors to the National Gallery of Art will now have until February 26 to admire the famed monumental sculptures by Lorenzo Ghiberti, Andrea del Verrocchio and Nanni di Banco.
The show, one of the highlights of the fall e... read more.
Florence's Maggio Musicale Opens With World Premiere of Fedele's Antigone
"Opening night at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale features the world premiere of Antigone, the first opera by Italian composer Ivan Fedele. Michel Tabachnik conducts the Orchestra and Choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, along with a cast drawn largely from Italy's baroque music specialists: mezzo Monica Bacelli in the t... read more.
Up until 1750 Florence began the civic year not in accordance with the modern solar calendar on January 1st, but on March 25th, marking the start of the year from the religious feast of the Incarnation (which also - surely not by coincidence - is near the first day of spring).
There is a plaque (above) in the Loggia dei Lanzi commemorating the event:
"Emperor Francis, Pious, Fortunate, Augustus
... read more.
Since Italians don't have Thanksgiving to interfere, they get right down to business and start thinking about Christmas in mid-November - the shops are already decorated and pushing their Christmas wares. By December the streets in the center will be draped with lights and Piazza Repubblica and Piazza Duomo will put up their annual Christmas trees. But you really know Christmas is coming when Piaz... read more.
From the NY Times:
"The early-Renaissance sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti spent 27 years creating the monumental gilded bronze doors for the eastern portal of the Baptistery in the Piazza del Duomo in Florence. And it has taken teams of conservators just about as long to restore them.
Their 10 panels depict scenes from the Old Testament, intricately illustrated in high and low relief. When the three... read more.
We are planning to go to the special Giambologna exhibit "Gods and Heroes" at the Bargello next week. I am very excited as this is supposed to be an excellent show from one of the greatest sculptors of the second half of the sixteenth century. The exhibit runs from March 2nd to June 15th. There is a very nice website set up in English and Italian. We will be reporting our impressions after we see ... read more.
Just a brief note about the Giambologna exhibit. We finally saw it last week - in a word, it is sublime. From a personal point of view I am not a huge fan of small bronzes, and there are many of them, but there are also many large works in marble which were amazing. My favorite piece was the medium size marble "Cesarini Venus" on loan from the US Embassy in Rome. The show looks great and is presen... read more.
ANSA is reporting:
"The hidden drawings which lie underneath one of Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous works were shown to the public for the first time in Florence this week .
A bloody battle scene, a clutch of figures rebuilding a ruin and even an elephant were all sketched by Leonardo in detail in the preparatory 'underdrawing' for his 'Adoration of the Magi' .
Yet in the version of the paintin... read more.
17th May 2007
7th Edition of Rare Wines, Stage Furnishings and Costumes Auction
to support Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Florence Opera)
MaggiodiVino Committee organizes the seventh edition of an auction of rare wines and scenery furnishings, that will will take place in Florence on the 17th of May at 7pm at Pagliere Medicee (an old medicean hay loft), Viale Machiavelli, 24.
More infor... read more.
This annual event of the first pressing of Olive Oil from the town of Reggello is a great opportunity to get the full flavor of the spicy, green and gold Tuscan olive oil (our favorite!). And of course it is all for sale. For years they had set up in Piazza Santa Croce - but the info on their website has the festival taking place this weekend in Reggello (about a 45 minute drive for the center of ... read more.
The special Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit was scheduled to open yesterday. I am not sure if it did - we were there just last week and it seemed like there was a lot of work still to be done:
Florence, March 27 - A famed study of the brain by Leonardo da Vinci is the star of a new show exploring the workings of the Renaissance genius' own mind .
The brain and skull studies, preserved on the so-called... read more.
Among all the treasures of the Renaissance in Florence we stumbled upon an exhibition of new paintings by a young artist from Bergamo, Margherita Leoni. She is currently showing her meticulous works of Brazilian plants at the Accademia Georgofili, which is in the Uffizi complex. The paintings are akin to scientific studies, and hold an austere beauty and tranquility. I plan on going back again bef... read more.
UPI is reporting a story they picked up from ANSA:
A new show in Florence, Italy, is set to offer a glimpse into the "poetic" architecture that Michelangelo created during his famed career.
The show is scheduled to open Dec. 16 at Florence's Casa Buonarroti, featuring original architectural sketches from the Italian Renaissance artist that represent Michelangelo's "poetic" style, said the news a... read more.
The official website of the 2015 Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia or the "thousand miles" has been called the "most beautiful race in the world". Initiated in 1927, the race was canceled for reasons of safety in 1957 and twenty years later was revived as a road rally.
Every May over the course of three days, more than three hundred of the most important vintage racing cars (and some contemporary m... read more.
MOSTRA INTERNAZIONALE DELL'ARTIGIANATO
2014 dates: April 24th to May 1st
Forezza da Basso

The "Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato" or "International Handicrafts Market" welcomes artisans from all over the world as well Italy. This is a great fair full of hand-made crafts from all over the world - clothing, furniture, carpets, jewelry, silverw... read more.
If you are an antique art lover, this is a can't miss event to put on your calendar if you are in Florence, or maybe even a reason to come in itself - the Mostra Mercato Internazionale dell'Antiquariato (Florence Antiques Biennial):
The International Biennial of Antiques in Florence is one of the most important events dedicated to Italian art on the international scene, with over 28,000 visitors ... read more.
This weekend Italy is taking part in "European Heritage Days" which is part of a European wide event organized in part by the Council Of Europe. What this means: state museums, galleries and monuments are free to visit this Saturday and Sunday. More here, in Italian.... read more.
At the Palazzo Pitti: Mythologica et Erotica (website in Italian only) (Mythology and Eroticism) at the Museo degli Argenti (Silver Museum) until May 15, 2006. The show features 213 works from Italian and foreign museums. The range of works on display is remarkably wide with paintings, murals, sculptures, ceramics, prints, jewellery, coins and various other precious items - all depicting erotic st... read more.
The Notte Bianca (check the link for up-to-date information) or "White Night" in Florence takes place on the evening of April 30th every year. The streets flow with people making rounds between food stalls, exhibitions, art installations, museums, dj sets, and live music and dance performances scattered throughout the center of Florence.... read more.
This weekend is the "Piante e Fiori" show at the agricultural garden (the Giardino dell'Orticultura - site is in Italian only). There will be around 35 exhibitors, and we expect to see some of our friends from the Thursday flower market.
October 7-8, 2006. From 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM - entrance is free. Giardino dell'Orticultura Via Vittorio Emanuele II 4, Villa Bolognese, 17 Firenze. Map... read more.
(ANSA) - Florence, Sept 13 - A rare collection of sketches and designs, including little known works by Renaissance masters, goes on display in Florence later this week.
Preparatory drawings by Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Lorenzo Costa and Filippino Lippi will be exhibited alongside a host of other names from 15th-century Italy.
The exhibition, which opens on Friday, will showcase s... read more.
Another of the big summer events in Tuscany is the Palio in Siena. We were there for it in 1998. This is an ancient horse race in the piazza and is quite a site - there is a great new article about the Palio here.... read more.
This information is out of date! A lot of people seem to find this page so we don't want to remove it, but there is nothing to suggest that this market has taken place in several years. There are several antiques markets in Florence, and throughout Tuscany.
One reliable market is at the Fortezza da Basso, which takes place on the third weekend of each month (except for July and August). We'... read more.
We heard that the state museums (The Uffizi, The Accademia, The Pitti Palace, etc.) were free this Sunday, the 18th (tomorrow) - but I have not been able to find anything about it on the web anywhere. The Italian/Florentine museum websites are pretty notorious for not being up to date unfortunately. We are going to go over to San Marco Sunday anyway to see if it is true.
Update: There is also a C... read more.
From russia-ic.com:
From January 19 to February 18 Florence will be hosting the photo exhibition "The Mirror of Memory" dedicated to the outstanding Russian film director Andrei Tarkovsky. The exhibition to be held in the premise of Tarkovsky archive dwells on the roots of creation of Tarkovsky's autobiographical film Zerkalo / The Mirror (1975), many images of which had been inspired by his fami... read more.
If you want to witness one of the more strange, interesting and exciting rituals of Easter than the "Explosion of The Cart" or "Scoppio del Carro" (also known as "il Brindellone" or the "Cart of St. John") is a must see event on Easter Sunday in Piazza Duomo.
It is an ancient tradition that dates all the way back to the crusades, and an elaborate event that has to be seen in person to be fully... read more.
The special Leonardo da Vinci exhibit "The Mind of Leonardo, The Universal Genius at Work" is open now at the Uffizi and will run until January, 2007. We have not been to see it yet but I plan to before we leave for the summer. You can read some more about the exhibit here and the official page from the Uffizi is here (looks like they still have it in Italian only). If anyone who reads this sees t... read more.
It took them a little while to get around to it but the NY Times has an article about Florence's Cow Parade:
Renaissance-era public art in this Medici stronghold gave the world Michelangelo's David and monumental sculptures by Donatello. These days, Florentines are sharing their cobbled streets with a colorful fiberglass herd that's part of CowParade, which is billed as the world's largest public... read more.
Events
Calcio Storico

Carro Matto

Ceramics Fair (Fiera della Ceramica)

Children's Christmas Theater
One of our favorite English language bookstores, The Paperback Exchange, is hosting children's English language theater every Saturday until Christmas. At the bookstore (located near the Duomo on Via delle Oche), The Florence International Theatre Company will be presenting "Merry Christmas, Strega Nona" - a dramatization of the children's book by Tomie de Paola, directed by Amy Folkes (... read more.
Chocolate Fair 2010
Here are some first photos from the 2010 edition of "Fiera del Cioccolato Artiginale" in Piazza Santa Croce:
... read more.
CowParade preview in Florence
From ANSA:
"Starting Monday, city residents and visitors here will get a preview of Italy's first CowParade, the now world famous public art charity event .
Local artists worked throughout the summer preparing the life-sized, fiberglass cow replicas which will officially be on display from October 22 to January 20."
More from ANSA here, official CowParade.it site here.... read more.
Desiderio da Settignano at the Bargello
I had a chance Sunday afternoon to see the new Desiderio Da Settignano exhibit (it opened last Thursday) at the Bargello so I took it. This is an important show, drawing on works from the Bargello's own collection, the Lourve, The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and the Kunsthistoriches Museum in Vienna among others.... read more.
Donna Donne Art Exhibit
Donna Donne is a traveling exhibition of contemporary art, curated by Adelina von Fürstenberg and conceived by the NGO ART for The World on the occaison of the tenth anniversary of the Declaration of Peking. After Florence it will go on to Brussels and San Paolo. The 33 artists taking part, men and women from Italy and other parts of the world, focus on the principal aspects of the femal perce... read more.
EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS: FLORENCE TO HOST ANCIENT EGYPT
From AGI:
Florence, Italy, Sep 22 - A leap into the daily life of Nefertiti and Ramses III will be offered by "The Five Senses. The pleasure of life in Ancient Egypt," the cultural event sponsored by the National Archaeological Museum of Florence-the Egypt Section and the Aboca Musem in occasion of the "European Heritage Days," dedicated this year to the culture of living. Realised with the help ... read more.
Feast of St. Reparata

Festa della Donna
Each year on March 8 International Women's Day is celebrated throughout the world. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day. Italian's call this day "Festa della Donna... read more.
Festa della Liberazione, Liberation Day
Italy's Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) is a national Italian holiday commemorating the end of the World War II and the Nazi occupation of the country. There is usually a morning ceremony in Piazza dell'Unità with Carabinieri marching band, war veterans and city officials, and a concert in the afternoon in Piazza Signoria. Wreaths are set out in the city in various locations, similar to ... read more.
Festa della Rificolona

Florence Biennale
They are gearing up for the Florence Biennale already (it is six months away - so put it on your calendar!):
"The sixth edition of the Florence Biennale of Contemporary Art will take place at the historic Fortezza da Basso from 1st - 9th December, 2007. This year's edition will include, as honoured guests, the acclaimed artists Gilbert & George and from the White Cube Gallery London, Tim Marlow. ... read more.
Florence Biennale
More poor planning - the Florence Biennale is this week. We still have a few days to make it over there, it runs through December 11th.... read more.
Florence Gelato Festival
Here is the official site of the 2016 Gelato Festival - the final event of the season is September 1st to 4th, at Piazzale Michelangelo:
THE FIRST TWO WINNERS FROM EACH STAGE OF THE TOUR WILL CHALLENGE ONE ANOTHER IN THE GRAND FINAL IN FLORENCE.
18 OF EUROPE'S MASTER GELATO MAKERS
WILL ENTER THEIR OWN UNIQUE FLAVOURS IN AN EFFORT TO BECOME
THE OUTRIGHT WINNER OF THE 2016 GELATO FESTIVAL
PURCHAS... read more.
Florence Korean Film Festival
This event usually takes place sometime during the second half of March. You can always check their website for the most up to date information: http://www.koreafilmfest.com
... read more.
Florence statues to stay on show
From ANSA:
Washington, November 12 - A Washington exhibition of recently restored stone masterpieces from Florence's Orsanmichele church has been extended due to huge demand.
Visitors to the National Gallery of Art will now have until February 26 to admire the famed monumental sculptures by Lorenzo Ghiberti, Andrea del Verrocchio and Nanni di Banco.
The show, one of the highlights of the fall e... read more.
Florence's Maggio Musicale
Florence's Maggio Musicale Opens With World Premiere of Fedele's Antigone
"Opening night at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale features the world premiere of Antigone, the first opera by Italian composer Ivan Fedele. Michel Tabachnik conducts the Orchestra and Choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, along with a cast drawn largely from Italy's baroque music specialists: mezzo Monica Bacelli in the t... read more.
Florentine New Year

German Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce
Since Italians don't have Thanksgiving to interfere, they get right down to business and start thinking about Christmas in mid-November - the shops are already decorated and pushing their Christmas wares. By December the streets in the center will be draped with lights and Piazza Repubblica and Piazza Duomo will put up their annual Christmas trees. But you really know Christmas is coming when Piaz... read more.
Ghiberti In America
From the NY Times:
"The early-Renaissance sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti spent 27 years creating the monumental gilded bronze doors for the eastern portal of the Baptistery in the Piazza del Duomo in Florence. And it has taken teams of conservators just about as long to restore them.
Their 10 panels depict scenes from the Old Testament, intricately illustrated in high and low relief. When the three... read more.
Giambologna Exhibit
We are planning to go to the special Giambologna exhibit "Gods and Heroes" at the Bargello next week. I am very excited as this is supposed to be an excellent show from one of the greatest sculptors of the second half of the sixteenth century. The exhibit runs from March 2nd to June 15th. There is a very nice website set up in English and Italian. We will be reporting our impressions after we see ... read more.
Giambologna exhibit "Gods and Heroes" at the Bargello
Just a brief note about the Giambologna exhibit. We finally saw it last week - in a word, it is sublime. From a personal point of view I am not a huge fan of small bronzes, and there are many of them, but there are also many large works in marble which were amazing. My favorite piece was the medium size marble "Cesarini Venus" on loan from the US Embassy in Rome. The show looks great and is presen... read more.
Hidden Leonardo drawings unveiled
ANSA is reporting:
"The hidden drawings which lie underneath one of Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous works were shown to the public for the first time in Florence this week .
A bloody battle scene, a clutch of figures rebuilding a ruin and even an elephant were all sketched by Leonardo in detail in the preparatory 'underdrawing' for his 'Adoration of the Magi' .
Yet in the version of the paintin... read more.
International Wine Auction
17th May 2007
7th Edition of Rare Wines, Stage Furnishings and Costumes Auction
to support Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Florence Opera)
MaggiodiVino Committee organizes the seventh edition of an auction of rare wines and scenery furnishings, that will will take place in Florence on the 17th of May at 7pm at Pagliere Medicee (an old medicean hay loft), Viale Machiavelli, 24.
More infor... read more.
La Rassegna dell'Olio di Reggello
This annual event of the first pressing of Olive Oil from the town of Reggello is a great opportunity to get the full flavor of the spicy, green and gold Tuscan olive oil (our favorite!). And of course it is all for sale. For years they had set up in Piazza Santa Croce - but the info on their website has the festival taking place this weekend in Reggello (about a 45 minute drive for the center of ... read more.
Leonardo da Vinci at the Uffizi
The special Leonardo da Vinci Exhibit was scheduled to open yesterday. I am not sure if it did - we were there just last week and it seemed like there was a lot of work still to be done:
Florence, March 27 - A famed study of the brain by Leonardo da Vinci is the star of a new show exploring the workings of the Renaissance genius' own mind .
The brain and skull studies, preserved on the so-called... read more.
Margherita Leoni Exhibit
Among all the treasures of the Renaissance in Florence we stumbled upon an exhibition of new paintings by a young artist from Bergamo, Margherita Leoni. She is currently showing her meticulous works of Brazilian plants at the Accademia Georgofili, which is in the Uffizi complex. The paintings are akin to scientific studies, and hold an austere beauty and tranquility. I plan on going back again bef... read more.
Michelangelo's architecture focus of show
UPI is reporting a story they picked up from ANSA:
A new show in Florence, Italy, is set to offer a glimpse into the "poetic" architecture that Michelangelo created during his famed career.
The show is scheduled to open Dec. 16 at Florence's Casa Buonarroti, featuring original architectural sketches from the Italian Renaissance artist that represent Michelangelo's "poetic" style, said the news a... read more.
Mille Miglia
The official website of the 2015 Mille Miglia
The Mille Miglia or the "thousand miles" has been called the "most beautiful race in the world". Initiated in 1927, the race was canceled for reasons of safety in 1957 and twenty years later was revived as a road rally.
Every May over the course of three days, more than three hundred of the most important vintage racing cars (and some contemporary m... read more.
Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato (International Handicrafts Market)
MOSTRA INTERNAZIONALE DELL'ARTIGIANATO
2014 dates: April 24th to May 1st
Forezza da Basso

The "Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato" or "International Handicrafts Market" welcomes artisans from all over the world as well Italy. This is a great fair full of hand-made crafts from all over the world - clothing, furniture, carpets, jewelry, silverw... read more.
Mostra Mercato Internazionale dell'Antiquariato
