Events calendar for Florence 2023: Take note!

Grab your diary and jot down the best events set for 2023: from exhibitions to Firenze Rocks, experience Florence to its fullest this year.

Hello 2023! Let's start the year by looking at the top events that lie ahead, including the Pitti fashion shows, high calibre exhibitions, sporting events and major music festivals. Keep this overview to hand so you’ll always know what to do and where to go in Florence. Let's go!

January 2023 events in Florence

The Florentine 2023 calendar kicks off with the world-famous fair dedicated to fashion: Pitti Uomo, Pitti Bimbo and Pitti Filati held at Fortezza da Basso from January 10 to 27. January is also your last chance to visit several major exhibitions before they close: Passione Novecento: From Paul Klee to Damien Hirst at Palazzo Medici Riccardi until January 8, and Olafur Eliasson at Palazzo Strozzi until January 22. Grab your skates for a whirl around the longest ice rink in Europe, while thrill seekers can take a ride on the Ferris wheel at the Florence Ice Village before it’s packed away after January 15.

February 2023 events in Florence

February is the month for flavours, books and dance. The Taste fair assembles gastronomic excellence, organized by Pitti Immagine from February 4 to 6 at Fortezza da Basso. Head to Testo – How to Become a Book at Stazione Leopolda from February 24-26, the annual event for literature lovers and publishing enthusiasts. The last weekend of February also sees Danzainfiera, the largest international dance event, held at Fortezza da Basso. 

March 2023 events in Florence

On March 4, there’s the inauguration of the highly anticipated exhibition Reaching for the stars at Palazzo Strozzi. Featuring works by some the most important contemporary international artists such as Maurizio Cattelan, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst, Lara Favaretto, Cindy Sherman, William Kentridge, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Josh Kline, Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and Rudolf Stingel, the display marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Collection, one of the most prestigious Italian collections of contemporary art. Don’t miss the exhibition dedicated to Escher at Museo degli Innocenti, with works by the renowned Dutch artist on show until March 26. 

April 2023 events in Florence

The month starts off with the Florence Half Marathon on April 2, a must for all runners who love to take part in marathons and engage in sports tourism. The 87th edition of MIDA - the Florence International Craft Show is an annual highlight. Held from April 25 to May 1 at the Fortezza da Basso, MIDA presents artisanal diversity in a wide-ranging crafts display.

May 2023 events in Florence

The historic Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival is held each May, with the opera and symphony season consisting of a top quality classical music programme. Don’t miss Deejay Ten in Florence on May 21, 2023: the popular Radio Deejay sporting event is a party for everyone!

June 2023 events in Florence

June means Firenze Rocks: the hugely popular rock festival is a highlight at this time of year. The question of Who’s performing? is on everyone’s lips. This year, headline acts include The Who and Maroon 5 who will take the stage at the Visarno Arena from June 15-18, 2023. You can also enjoy the Estate Fiorentina and Estate Fiesolana 2023 programmes which begin in June: their packed programmes of events, music and performances in Florence and Fiesole always draw crowds. You won’t want to miss the unique chance to see the traditional Calcio Storico tournament. The Florentine historic football games are often very physically intense, with the dramatic final held in Piazza Santa Croce on June 24 (the day honouring the patron saint of Florence, San Giovanni).

July 2023 events in Florence

This sunny month is the ideal chance to discover different art forms, enjoying performances under the stars at Piazza Santissima Annunziata as part of the fantastic MusArt Festival included in Estate Fiorentina line-up (the city’s annual summer events calendar). Consisting of various types of music and dance, the festival is held from July 15-25 and features both national and international performers like the remarkable show by Roberto Bolle & Friends.

August 2023 events in Florence

August in Florence is typically hot and quiet. Unlike the Tyrrhenian coasts, the city empties out, making room for cooling and relaxing activities like exploring the lakes, rivers and swimming pools. On August 10, locals (and more!) celebrate “the night of shooting stars” in honour of San Lorenzo, the co-patron saint of the city. The San Lorenzo area is filled with people for the festival that features pasta al ragù (pasta with meat sauce) and free watermelon for everyone, with a DJ set seeing you dance the night away beside the basilica.

September 2023 events in Florence

Off we go again! Just like when we were at school, September is the month when everything restarts following the summer as people return from their holidays and the city welcomes the newly arrived international students as they settle into the city. The perfect way to finish off the season is by sipping a glass of something special on a stunning terrace as part of Florence Cocktail Week, and watching the traditional parade that presents the new wine. Known as Carro Matto (the “crazy cart”), a pair of white oxen pull the wine-laden cart accompanied by drummers, flag throwers, and people dressed in historical costume. It’s also time to run for a good cause with the 21st edition of Corri La Vita, a charity run to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer. 

October 2023 events in Florence

In October, Florentines celebrate the arrival of new olive oil with plenty of fettunta (typical Tuscan snack consisting of a slice of toasted saltless bread with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil). The month also marks the annual Florence Queer Festival, with its screenings of international LGBT-themed films. L'Eredità delle Donne, on the other hand, is the events series dedicated to recognizing female artists, scientists, thinkers, academics, philosophers, architects and more.

November 2023 events in Florence

There’s nothing like a good, long run to get your spirits soaring! The Florence Marathon returns on November 26, 2023. The national road racing event is a grand-scale race that’s second only to that in Rome. It’s even ranked among the top 20 most important marathons in the world for the quantity of participants and the quality of the event.

December 2023 events in Florence

Each year, the Green Line Festival starts on December 8, the day the Christmas tree in front of the Duomo is lit up. The festival sets Florence and its monuments sparkling with light shows and colourful displays, making strolls through the city unforgettable. Continue your wandering to reach the historic Weihnachtsmarkt, the German Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce. Grab a cup of mulled wine and pick up some strudel, Frankfurt sausages and crafts. Florence finishes off the year with the many Christmas and New Year’s events that pop up all over the city!