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Pick a month
January
The New Year Concert
Teatro Communale, Florence
Tel: 055 597 851 (also for free tickets)
A small scale music concert put on by the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole
Sfilata dei Canottieri
Florence, along the River Arno
Date: 1 January
A traditional parade of boats on the Arno, all lit up with fireworks.
La Befana (Epiphany)
Date: 6 January
This is an Italian holiday, mainly for the kids, who open their stockings on la Befana. For more information on the legend of the witch. Needless to say, the well behaved children get presents, whereas the naughty maybe as lucky as to get a sack full of dirty coal!!! Many of the small towns around the region hold small street parties in celebration.
New Olive Oil
Villa Dianella Fucini, S.Lucia
Vinci, Florence
Tel: 0571 508 166
Date: 25th January
Olive oil tasting at Villa Dianella Fucini
St. Lucy' s feast and Christmas
Tavarnelle, Val di Pesa, Florence
Tel: 0558077832
Date: 1st - 6th January
Christmas Festivity – trade fairs (Christmas tree sale, sweets, bon-bon etc.)
Florence
Tel: 055 328 3550
Date: 1st - 5th January
Homemade Chocolate trade fair
Florence
Sachall Theatre, Lungarno Aldo Moro 1
Tel: 055 650 4112
Website: Chocolate trade fair
Date: 20th - 23rd January
Carnavale - Viareggio, January 6
During the period before Ash Wednesday, many towns stage carnivals and enjoy their last opportunity to indulge before Lent. The popular carnival celebrations held at Viareggio are among the best known in all of Italy, with masked pageants, fireworks, a flower show and parades along the Tuscan Riviera. Carnevale in San Gimignano and Florence are much smaller, with locals dressed up in colorful costumes marching through the streets. The biggest celebration is, of course, held in Venice.
Festa di San Biagio
Castiglione d'Orcia, Siena
Date: 3rd February
In Castiglione d'Orcia the Festa di San Biagio Vescovo (Feast of St.Blaise the Bishop) is celebrated with a mass as well as with special dinners.
Sagra della polenta (Polenta Festival)
San Quirico d'Vernia, Prato
Date: 1st Sunday of Lent (end of February)
During the first week of Lent, this small town, situated below a ruined castle holds its annual Sagra della Polenta. Held on the first Sunday of Lent ( February 29, 2004), this festival does not feature the cornmeal polenta that we are used to, but instead celebrates the chestnut meal polenta that is popular in northern Tuscany.
Sagra del bombolone (Cakes)
Montespertoli, Florence
Date: last weekend of March
La festa della pina (Pine Festival)
Montelaterone, Grosseto
Date: 18th April
Sagra della trota (Trout Festival)
Loro Ciuffenna, Arezzo
Date: last weekend in April
Festa della stagione buona (The Right Season Festival)
Greve in Chianti, Florence
Date: last weekend in April
Festa della Farina dolce (Sweet flour Festival)
Piteglio, Pistoia
Date: 1st April
Sagra del Tortello di patate (Potato Tortelli [pasta] Festival)
Ronta, Florence
Date: 1st April
Easter, Scoppio del Carro - Florence
The big event in Florence for Easter is the Scoppio del Carro, or the "explosion of the cart", an event which dates back 300 years. Today, an elaborate wagon built in 1622 and standing two to three stories high is dragged through Florence behind a fleet of white oxen decorated in garlands to the square between the Baptistry and Cathedral. The cart has been properly rigged with a suitable arsenal of fireworks so that when a dove-shaped rocket (symbolising the Holy Spirit) slides down a steel cable at full speed from the Cathedral altar, it will set off a ferocious dance of fire on impact. A big bang ensures a good harvest, and a parade in medieval costume follows. The Explosion of the Cart takes place around 11 a.m. so watch out for the cart on the streets of Florence an hour beforehand.
Maggio Danza
Teatro Comunale
Corso Italia 16
Tel: 055 213 535
Email: tickets@maggiofiorentino.com
Website: The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is the longest running (over 60 years) and most famous music festival in Italy and takes place from May to early July each year. With its own internationally recognised orchestra and dance company, MaggioDanza put on a variety of operas, ballet performances and concert each years, with a line-up that few other festivals can even come close to. During the last few days of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival there is always a free-for-all dance celebration, usually held in Piazza Signoria. Ballet performances also take place during the Maggio Fiorentino festival, at various venues, throughout the year
Fabbrica Europa
Borgo degli Albizi 15, Santa Croce
Tel: 055 248 0515
Website: Fabbrica Europa
Date: May/June
The former Stazione Leopolda forms a huge space perfect for this mainly dance and theatre' festival.
Sagra della Cipolla (Onion Festival)
Bagnone, Massa-Carrara
Date: 1st April - 1st May
Sagra delle ciliegie (Cherry Festival)
Lari, Pisa
Date: last weekend in May
Palio della Balestra - Sansepolcro
On the last Sunday in May, the crossbowmen of Sansepolcro travel to Gubbio (Umbria) for the Palio della Balestra, a crossbow contest between the men of of Gubbio and Sansepolcro who dress in medieval costume and use antique weapons. On the second Sunday in September, the crossbowmen of Gubbio visit Sansepolcro for a rematch.
Estate Fiesolana
Teatro Romano, Fiesole
Tel: 055 597 8308
Website: Estate Fiesolana
Date: mid June to mid Aug
It is a three week long programme of dance events combined with theatres and light operas, performed by the Florence Dance Company.
Intercity Festival
Teatro della Limonaia
Via Gramisci 426
Date: June
This festival represents one of those rare opportunities to see contemporary theatre performed in its mother tongue. Each year one European city is chosen as the guest country and performers and theatre companies etc from that country are invited to come over and participate, providing a totally unique and authentic event.
La Giostra del Saracino
Piazza Grande, Arezzo
Tel: 0575 377 262
Website: La Giostra del Saracino
Date: June and September
It takes place in the Piazza Grande, in the heart of the medieval city, of Arezzo the penultimate weekend of June June and the first Sunday in September. "La Giostra" is the ancient jousting tournament where the the four regions (quartiere) of Arezzo challenge each other with knights on horseback. The use of ancient spears and costume give it a real feel of authenticity. The Giostra del Saracino originated in the 13th Century and musicians and acrobatic flag throwers dress in period costumes in their teams colours. The first parade starts at about 10am, another at around 2.30pm and then at 5pm the procession of the horses, knights and their escort arrives in the Piazza and the tournament begins.
Calcio Storico- Historic Football
Piazza Santa Croce, Florence
Tel: 055 290 832
Website: (in italian only) Calcio Storico
Date: 24th June
Reintroduced in 1930, Florence's Calcio Storico is a violent and altogether 'zany' version of football as we know today!! Played in traditional costume in Piazza Santa Croce, four city teams of 27 bare chested players play each other with little in the way of refereeing. The four teams represent the four city's ancient quarters: Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito and San Giovanni. Just before the matches they parade through the streets accompanied by costumed dignitaries. Local pride is at stake and each district cheers on its own team and colours. Join in this unique spectacle and the matches every weekend in June with the final played on June 24th, feast day of the city’s patron saint San Giovanni Battista.
Festival of Saint John
Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence
Date: June (annual)
Every year on the 24 June Florence dresses up, and parades, dancing and singing fill the streets to remember the Patron Saint of Florence, Saint John. Apart from the Calcio Storico, Florence puts on boat races and celebratory masses, as well as lots and lots of costumed characters meandering through the city. Expect to be entertained!
Italian Moto GP
Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello
Tel: 055 849 9111
Website:Mugello Circuit
Date: mid June (annual)
The Italian Moto GP at the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello features as much passion and partisan support as any event on the Road Racing World Championships calendar. Italians love motorbikes as much as they do cars and, as in Formula 1, they are blessed with idols to worship. The Moto GP is one of the fastest, most thrilling sports in the world. The bikes reach speeds of up to 310kph (185mph) and the races are extremely competitive.
Mini Festival of the Hammond Organ
Piazza SS Annunziata, Florence
Cost: Free
Opening Hours: 9.15pm
Date: June (annual)
Part of the Jazz and Co festival, the Mini Festival of the Hammond Organ is a five-day gala dedicated to the electrical instrument which was born in the 1930s. Open-air concerts take place in Piazza Santa Maria Novella and Piazza Annunziata.
Estate Fiesolana
Teatro Romano, Fiesole
Tel: 055 597 8303
Website: Estate Fiesolana
Date: mid June- mid August
This is a festival of music, dance and theatre set in an atmospheric Roman ampitheatre. There are sometimes some top local artists, but bear in mind, that the standards aren't always the highest.
Sesto d'Estate
Parco Villa Solaria, Sesto Fiorentino, Florence
Tel: 055 4496 357 Opening Hours: 9.15pm
Date: June - July (annual)
The beautiful Sesto d'Estate music festival offers nine outdoor concerts in the beautiful gardens of the 16th-century Villa Solaria, part of a summer festival of culture, theatre, dance and music.
Flower Display
Piazza della Signoria, Florence
Date: June - July (annual)
Midsummer in Florence sees a veritable carpet of flowers covering the main square, the Piazza della Signoria. The blooms stretch down to the neighbouring Uffizi galleries. Perfectly arranged and meticulously tended you will be overwhelmed by the colour.
Tappeti di Segatura Colorata
Camaiore, near Lucca
Date: mid June
The day Sunday of Corpus Domini and the Saturday night beforehand, the central street of this town near Lucca is covered with patterns made from sprinkled coloured sawdust. Work starts the evening before and continues all night long, with the procession of Corpus Domini passing over (and destroying) them the next day.
Luminaria di San Ranieri
Pisa, along the Arno
Tel: 050 560 464
Date: 16th June
Thousands of candles are lit along the river Arno and then there are fireworks and a boat race the next day along the river. The event is held to celebrate Saint Ranieri of Pisa, the Patron Saint of the town.
Festa Internazionale della Ceramica
Montelupo, Florence
Tel: 0571 518 893
Date: 8 days in late June
Celebration of Tuscan ceramics with Renaissance music and costume, and demos of various techniques.
Florence Dance Festival
Teatro Romano, Fiesole
Tel: 055 289 276
Date: 2 weeks in July
An excellent dance festival featuring performers from all over Europe etc.
Estate Musicale Chigiana
Accademia Musicale Chigiana, Siena
For more information: 0577 22091
Website: Estate Musicale Chigiana
Date: July-August
Siena's summer concert season with performances in the city and nearby abbeys of San Galgano, Sant'Animo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore. The highlight is the Settimana Musicale Senese (usually mid July); a week of concerts in Siena's churches.
Giostra dell'Orso
Pistoia
Tel: 0573 21622
Date: 25 July
Pistoia's annual "Bear fight" culminates on 25th July in its main square after a month of concerts and pageantry. The Joust of the Bear dates back to the 14th Century: 12 knights are pitted against a bear (two wooden dummies) dressed in a checked cloak, there is normally traditional food served.
Incontri in Terra di Siena
La Foce, Chianciano Terme
For more information: 0578 69101
Date: 10 days in late July
These top-notch chamber music concerts are performed internationally renowned musicians in dramatic settings such as La Foce (the family estate of writer Iris Origo), Pienza, Cetona and Radicofana.
Batignano Opera Festival
Batignano, near Grosseto
Tel: 0564 462 611 (Grosseto tourist information office)
Date: July to August
Little known opera productions with well-known musicians in an idyliic hilltop village.
Puccini Opera Festival
Torre di Lago, Lucca
Tel: 0584 359 322
Website: Puccini Opera Festival
Date: last week of July
Standards of performance aren't always high, nevertheless Puccini's lakeside villa is certainly a magnificent setting for his operas. The stage is built over the lake while the audience sits on the shore.
Palio di Siena
Piazza del Campo, Siena
Information: 0577 280 551
Website: Palio di Siena
Date: 2 July and 16 August
This controversial, often Palio, or violent horse race, around Siena's main piazza is Tuscan pageantry at its best. Trial races run on three days leading to the two main dates. The last is at 9am on the big days. In the early afternoon qualifying horses and jockeys (both in traditional costume) are blessed in their team's church. At about 4.30pm the procession enters the Piazza del Campo and, after acrobatic flag throwing, the race runs at about 7pm. Its free to stand in the square, but get there early! Tickets for seats in balconies overlooking the Piazza are sold in bars and cafes around the Piazza. Be warned, however, they are hard to come by and quite expensive but it is worth it!
Effetto Venezia
Livorno
Tel: 0586 2046 11
Date: 10 dates in late July and August
Evening shows and concerts in Livorno's "Venetian Quarter"- so called because of its canals. Restaurants stay open late serving local delicacies.
Medieval Festival
Monteriggione, Arezzo
Tel: 0577 304 810
Date: mid July
The medieval festival is a re-enactment of Monteriggione medieval town life with food and drink and craft stalls, music and dancing, shops and performances typical of that era. Action focuses around the third weekend of July, but there are events during the ten days before. Torches are lit after dark and visitors must change their cash into medieval currency if they want to participate.
On the Road Festival
Pelago, Florence
Date: 1st weekend (Thursday-Sunday) mid to late July
This is a festival of street performers and action kicks off at around 6pm.
Palio di Siena
Piazza del Campo, Siena
Information: 0577 280 551
Website: Palio di Siena
Date: 2 July and 16 August
This controversial, often Palio, or violent horse race, around Siena's main piazza is Tuscan pageantry at its best. Trial races run on three days leading to the two main dates. The last is at 9am on the big days. In the early afternoon qualifying horses and jockeys (both in traditional costume) are blessed in their team's church. At about 4.30pm the procession enters the Piazza del Campo and, after acrobatic flag throwing, the race runs at about 7pm. Its free to stand in the square, but get there early! Tickets for seats in balconies overlooking the Piazza are sold in bars and cafes around the Piazza. Be warned, however, they are hard to come by and quite expensive but it is worth it!
Effetto Venezia
Livorno
Tel: 0586 2046 11
Date: 10 dates in late July and August
Evening shows and concerts in Livorno's "Venetian Quarter"- so called because of its canals. Restaurants stay open late serving local delicacies.
Bravio delle Botti - Montepulciano
The Bravio delle Botti, which takes place on the last Sunday in August, is a barrel rolling race between the eight Contradas (divisions) of Montepulciano competing for a Palio, a painted cloth banner. The barrels (which weigh 80 kilos) have to be rolled up about 1800 meters along the main street of the town of Montepulciano to end in the Piazza Grande. Costume processions precede the competition and a street banquet follows.
La Vendemmia
All around Chianti (Florence and Siena area)
La Vendemmia is the annual Tuscan grape harvest. Most picking is still done by hand, with only a few of the large estates using machines to pick. It is the tradition to have a communal feast once the grapes are in and it is definitely worth going along to one of the wine producers and either helping the picking or tasting the wines, both new and aged. Cheers!
Although, there is no specific start date for the Vendemmia, as it totally depends on the climate, generally it starts in September, signaling the awaited arrival of autumn. The harvests start early in the morning until the sun gets too hot in the mid-afternoon. Lunch is considered a serious affair and everyone is rewarded for all their hard work by the very best of the year's prosciutto ham, cheeses and of course wine! The Vendemmia however, is more than just grape picking. In Tuscany, it is a century old tradition, a true cultural event that is celebrated with great enthusiasm by the winegrowers, serving also as an excuse to meet others, eat too much and taste the wines, and bet on who has made the best wine.
Tourists can also participate in the event or simply go along and visit the estates during the harvest. Most of which are found in the outskirts of Florence, especially in the Chianti region. Greve, the popular wine producing town, holds an annual Market and Fair of Chianti Classico wine that is open to all. You can taste and buy vintage wines, novello or new wines and local rarities.
La festa dell'uva
Impruneta, Florence
Tel: 055 231 3729 (Tourist Office)
Date: last weekend in September
Impruneta has celebrated more than 76 editions of the Grape Festival (it has become the oldest wine festival in Italy), and each year around the end of September there are parades around the main squares with allegorical floats dedicated to grapes, wine and anything to do with living and working on the land, as well as singing and dancing and stalls selling traditional products.
In addition to the food and drink stalls in the main square, the four quarters of the region also parade through the town in a colourful historical procession. Rivalries between the different quarters simmer during the rest of the year, but are allowed to express themselves during the festival, making for some truly spectacular costumes and mischievous antics.
Settembre Musica
Teatro della Pergola and various other venues- Florence
Tel: 055 608 420
Date: throughout September
The Settembre Musica is a music festival performed by the Amici della Musica group. It gives young or relatively unknown ensembles and artists to get noticed and show off their talents.
Rassegna Internazionale Musica dei Popoli
Auditorium Flog, Florence
Via Mercati 24b
Tel: 055 422 0300
Date: October to November
An innovative world music festival held at one of Florence's main live music venues.
Luminaria di Santa Croce
Lucca
Date: 13 and 14th September
As in Pisa, the Luminaria di Santa Croce involves lots of candles. The centre of Lucca is lit by torch and candlelight and there is an enormous procession, largely in period costume, with music and flag-juggling.
Giostra del Saracino - Arezzo
Good old-fashioned medieval jousting in Arezzo on the first Sunday in September. This is the second tournament of the year, the first one already held in June. See above for more details.
Display of the Virgin's Girdle - Prato
Prato keeps the Virgin Mary's girdle under heavy lock and key year-round in the Duomo, but takes it out five times a year amid much religious pomp and some medieval drum rolling to show it to the crowds massed on the piazza. Two of these occassions include September 8 (celebration of the nativity of the Virgin Mary) and December 25 and 26. The rest of the time, Prato's most revered relic is housed in the beautiful "Pulpit of the Sacred Girdle" off the facade's right corner. The story of how the girdle arrived in Prato is detailed in the chapel immediately to the left of the entrance in Agnolo Gaddi's fresco cycle of "The Legend of the Holy Girdle (1392-95)".
FESTA DI SANTA REPARATA, October 8
Santa Reparata was Florence's ancient cathedral built on the site where Santa Maria del Fiore is located today. Thanks to archaeological digs carried out from 1971 to 1972 experts have been able to reconstruct the original floor plan, which can be visited. Generally, celebrations include guided visits of 'Roman Florence' and conferences on Roman Florence in the first centuries of the Christian era. A historical parade honoring the Florentine Republic is followed by a ceremony in Santa Reparata's crypt in the evening.
Florence Marathon
Tel: 055 5522 957
Website: Florence Marathon
Opening Hours: 9am in Piazza Michelangelo
Date: 28 November (annual)
One of the top 20 international marathons, Florence stages men's and women's events, as well as a non-competitive 10km fun-run and a special mini-run for kids. Half the course winds through the historical centre, starting at Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia near the National Library and going over the Ponte Vecchio. The race then follows a course past the Cascine Monument and the National Park, ending at Piazza Santa Croce just 200m from the starting gate in the centre of town. Surely one of the world's most picturesque marathon routes. Perhaps the sights of the beautiful city are intended to take the runners minds off of their aching legs - maybe! Runners come from all over the world to compete and normally there can be over 6000 professional runners in the men's marathon.
Florence Dance Festival- Winter Edition
Teatro Goldoni
Tel: 055 289 276
Website: Florence Dance Festival
Date: late November, early December
This winter session of the innovative festival organised by the Florence Dance Cultural Centre involves a range of contemporary dance performances throughtout the weeks leading up to Christmas.
International Motorshow
Bologna
Website: Bologna Motorshow
Date: 1st- 2nd week of December
Bologna holds the International Motorshow every year at the Fiera District to the north of the city. Go along and see the new ranges of cars and motorbikes, from Fiat to Ferrari, Honda to Yamaha, watch live car and motorbike stunts and even test drive some of the latest cars. A great day out for all the family.
--Christmas--
Italians love Christmas, not just because there is a lot of eating and drinking (the main reason), but it is a very special period in which people can all come together and have fun.
Christmas in Florence
Tel: 055 658 2847
Email: info@nataleafirenze.it
Like any other Italian city, Florence celebrates Christmas with an impressively wide-range of shows, events and spectacles planed by the city's Comune or town council, as well as readings, guided tours, parties, film screenings and all sorts of cultural activities that residents and tourists alike can take part in. The festivities provide a unique opportunity, not only to tour the many magnificent sights of this beautiful Renaissance city, but also to discover the hidden parts of the city, the elusive secret nooks and crannies, markets, stores and alleyways that tourists seldom have the know-how to find.
One of the highlights of the festival is a spectacular Christmas market around the main Santa Maria Novella square, with a huge Christmas tree, stalls and entertainment shows. Smaller international craft markets are also set up in the city's bigger piazzas, offering treats and delights from around the world. Furthermore, you will see nativity scenes and many churches set up cribs, some "viventi" (with live animals), the main ones being at Santa Croce, Chiesa di Dante and Santa Maria de'Ricci. Midnight mass is held in the Duomo.
Every year around Christmas time the city comes alive like never before: the streets are full of people late night shopping, enjoying the many events put on in the historical center, and stalls are set up along with decorations and illuminations creating a magical atmosphere. Among the many events planned to celebrate the Christmas season are special exhibitions of masterpieces by Tiziano, Boticcelli in the Uffizi Gallery, the palaces and trees are lit up and shops decorated with lights and tinsel, not forgetting Pinocchio, there to meet and greet the kids and finale celebrations with performances and treats for all.
The Christmas Concert
Teatro Verdi, Florence
Info line: 055 263 8777
Ticket line: 055 212 320
This is a special lengthy concert given by the Orchestra Regionale Toscana to prepare you for the Christmas season.
--New Year's Eve--
Many Florentines stay at home with their families for the New Year, however many restaurants do put on a special "Cena dell'Ultimo dell'Anno" menus involving endless courses and including, traditionally, stuffed pigs' trotters and lentils, for which you pay a considerable amount!! Alternatively, take to the streets and join one of the many official or more common "unofficial" streets parties that are tending to increase in popularity.
New Year's Eve Party at Tenax
Tenax nightclub, Via Pratese 46, Florence
Tel: 055 287 347
Tickets: around €80; concessions €70; advance tickets €60
Opening Hours:11pm-very late
Tenax in Florence holds a New Year's Eve Party every year, with a line-up to easily entertain you into the early hours of the New Year. with DJs including house music collective X-Press 2, aka Rocky, Diesel and Ashley Beedle, and resident Italian star DJ Alex Neri.