May in Florence : Maggio a Firenze

The Duomo of Florence glistens after a May rain shower

Florence-On-Line is officially proclaiming May a transition month in the Florentine tourism calendar. It is a great time to visit Florence - the weather is warming up, outdoor vendors have returned to the piazzas, the flower gardens are in bloom, and the city is beginning to get ready for the major events of June, most notably the Calcio Storico and Feast of San Giovanni.

While there are a few timely exhibitions to see (details below), there really are no major events for tourists scheduled for May as there have been in the past. One of my favorites used to be the Mille Miglia, that would come right through the center of town - across the Ponte alla Carraia and through Piazza Signoria. This year the race goes around and not through Florence - bummer!

And then there is the mystery of the Gelato Festival - that was also a May event when it started in the mid-2000s, then moved to the fall, but now I don't see any events at all scheduled on their website.

But don't worry - you are in Florence, the sun is out, and there is still plenty to see if you need more beyond the usual riches of Florence's churches and museums.

Here are some exhibits to check out before they end:

• "Rothko in Florence" at the Palazzo Strozzi is a mesmerizing exhibit that really should be seen if you are visiting this spring (ends August 23)
• The Museo Novecento in Florence is presenting "Baselitz AVANTI!", a major exhibition dedicated to one of the undisputed protagonists of contemporary art, developed in close collaboration with the artist's studio.
• The Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino runs all month long and into the summer.
• Visit the Florence Iris Garden (open until May 20th! The Rose Garden is also open in May but we're having a hard time confirming the specific days)
• There is also the Plant & Flower Fair at the Giardino dell'Orticoltura from Saturday, 25 April to Sunday, 3 May 2026.

So take a stroll through centro storico, sit outside at a cafè, maybe take a walk up to San Miniato al Monte for the views and gardens, but most of all - enjoy Florence in the Spring!