This year, Carnival is set for February 11, and Florence will have its own parade in the historic center (date to be confirmed). Above all, however, in February we dedicate ourselves to love in all its forms. Our love for flavors is celebrated with Taste, a three-day event dedicated to a high-quality food lifestyle taking place from February 3-5 at Fortezza da Basso. Our love for literature is marked with Testo – Come si diventa un libro, the annual event for readers and publishing enthusiasts that will be held at Stazione Leopolda from February 23-25. Over the same weekend, we proclaim our love for dance with Danzainfiera, the international fair that hosts many guests, masterclasses and shows at Fortezza da Basso.

 

Did you know that the Florentine New Year is celebrated on March 25? It dates back to the Middle Ages, when the 25th marked the beginning of the civil calendar. It’s remembered with a historical procession that starts from Palagio di Parte Guelfa and winds through the city streets up to the Santissima Annunziata Basilica. Other dates to note: Palazzo Strozzi’s new exhibition, Fallen Angels by Anselm Kiefer, begins on March 22; the Korea Film Festival returns from March 21- 29; and Easter is celebrated with the traditional Scoppio del Carro on Sunday, March 31, 2024.

A month of colors and blossoms! April begins with the Firenze Flower Show, an exhibition of rare and unusual plants in the spectacular Corsini Gardens (dates to be confirmed). Then there’s the Florence Half Marathon on April 7, for all running-enthusiasts and those interested in sports tourism. We finish off the month with the 88th edition of MIDA - the International Crafts Exhibition of Florence at Fortezza da Basso, the opening of the Iris Garden at Piazzale Michelangelo, and the Flower Exhibition in Giardino dell’Orticoltura.

 

May means music! The prestigious Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival (the oldest in Italy!) inaugurates its season of operas, concerts and choirs, and the Deejay Ten race (date to be confirmed) fills the streets with energy and music. There’s not only that: the renowned annual summit for high-level reflection on the European agenda, The State of the Union, returns on May 23 and 24, with the participation of renowned scientific thinkers, academics, policymakers and journalists from various disciplines.

When we think June, we think Florence Rocks! The line-up and dates of the biggest rock festival in Italy are yet to be confirmed (it usually takes place in the middle of the month), but if you don't want to miss the big names performing, we suggest you keep an eye on our channels.

This year, however, June is marked by another very important event: on Saturday, June 29, the Grand Départ of the Tour de France will be from Piazzale Michelangelo, the first Italian starting point in the history of the Tour! It kicks off with the Florence-Rimini stage, which will pass in front of the Gino Bartali Museum in Ponte a Ema in honor of the great Florentine cyclist.

But hang on a minute, everyone! The true symbol of June, for us Florentines, is June 24; the day in which we celebrate San Giovanni, the patron saint of the city, honoured with fochi (fireworks) and the final of the Calcio Storico tournament in Piazza Santa Croce.

 

July is a sun-filled month to discover different forms of art and entertainment! Enjoy Piazza Santissima Annunziata under the stars with the beautiful MusArt Festival as part of Estate Fiorentina (dates to be confirmed). The music and dance festival features high-calibrer national and international guests, including the unmissable Roberto Bolle & Friends. All Star Game Florence (dates to be confirmed) at Piazzale Michelangelo is a sporting event dedicated to basketball and beach volleyball. And, for cosplay lovers, the iconic medieval-fantasy event, Vinci Unicorn Festival, will be held from July 26-28.

August in Florence is warm and tranquil. Unlike the Tyrrhenian coasts, the city empties, leaving room for fresh and relaxing activities such as the discovery of lakes, rivers and swimming pools. On August 10, we celebrate San Lorenzo, co-patron saint of the city, with the occasion called the day of the shooting stars. The San Lorenzo neighborhood is transformed into a popular festival where pasta with ragu and watermelon are free for everyone as a DJ gets everyone dancing under the basilica.

 

 

Off we go again! Just like when we were at school, September is the month in which everyone comes back together to restart. The city welcomes new students with a late summer events programme packed with traditional events and festivals such as the Rificolona Festival, a parade of colorful and creative traditional paper lanterns on September 7.

Another unmissable parade marks the arrival of the Carro Matto, a cart carrying 1,000 flasks of new wine, on the fourth Saturday of the month. We also welcome a new exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without rules, opening to the public on September 27, and the 33rd BIAF - Antiques Biennial from September 28-October 6 at Palazzo Corsini.

In October, we celebrate sustainability and new olive oil with fettunta (slices of bread with olive oil). It’s also a time for new ideas, with the 50 Days of Cinema opening with the Fan Hua Chinese Festival (dates to be confirmed). The series sees nine top-quality international film festivals held in the city, including the event dedicated to LGBT+ films, the Florence Queer Festival (dates to be confirmed).

 

Let yourself be inspired while undertaking a large-scale run! On November 24, 2024, the Florence Marathon makes its return. It’s one of the main national road running events, second only to the marathon in Rome, and it’s among the top 20 most noted marathons in the world in terms of both quantity of participants and quality.

Around December 8, the Green Line Festival starts from the day on which the Christmas tree is lit in front of the Duomo, illuminating Florence and its monuments with lights and color. It’s the perfect time of year for wandering the streets of Florence, ice skating, and taking a ride on the Ferris wheel in Cascine (from December 8-January 15). Don’t forget the historic Weihnachtsmarkt! The German-style Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce from November 18-December 17 features mulled wine, typical treats like strudel, and crafts.