Even though many Florentines enjoy celebrating New Year’s Eve in a cozy, homey setting, some prefer outdoor activities, which are not to miss this year either. Exciting events and activities on the last day of 2024 may be a perfect choice for city residents and visitors. This New Year’s Eve will be filled with music throughout the streets and squares. The free events will be spread across the city center, with roaming bands [...]
Many Christmas Week activities have been organized for Florence residents and visitors; below are the highlights. CHRISTMAS EVE CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT Teatro Verdi (via Ghibellina 99) is hosting the traditional Christmas Eve performance (5 pm) by the Orchestra della Toscana conducted by Diego Ceretta. The musicians will interpret Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, first presented to the public on Christmas Day, 1870, in addition to the German composer’s Traume, followed by a rendition of Beethoven’s [...]
For this year’s Christmas season, the city of Florence is offering many exciting activities, perfectly complementing the magical winter atmosphere. As the city becomes even more beautiful, decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and garlands, various events and initiatives are set to begin. The Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce is taking place through December 23. Visitors can not only shop for a variety of crafts but also enjoy eating delicious food, including [...]
Friday, Dec. 6 (2 – 6 pm), Sat. 7 & Sun. 8 (10 am – 6 pm): AILO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR. Tepidarium, via Bolognese 17/A. This annual Christmas bazaar, organized by the non-profit American International League of Florence onlus offers a joyful holiday experience while supporting various local charitable associations. The Bazaar will feature live Christmas music and a special visit from Santa Claus and his elf helpers, who will treat children to [...]
Shortlisted for the 2024 Apollo Awards, The Madonna di Pietrapiana (c. 1450-1455) – a relatively recent purchase by the Ministry of Culture has found its home in Florence’s Bargello Museum. The terracotta by master Renaissance sculptor Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi, better known as Donatello, was only attributed to the artist in 1986. The original location of the relief was a tabernacle on the facade of a building at Via Pietrapiana 38 [...]
It’s rare to hear American residents of Florence say they miss home, but as the weather gets colder, and Thanksgiving is around the corner, it won’t be a surprise that some Americans may be in search of some extra comfort. One thing they can be grateful for is that Florence actually has many places to satisfy the Thanksgiving craving this week. Various establishments will offer a range of options, from more classic American [...]
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence on November 25 will be preceded in Florence by “In Step with Women,” (A Passo di Donna) an initiative open to everyone on Saturday, November 16. Organized by the Municipality of of Florence and city’s five neighborhoods (quartieri), “In Step with Women” is a free walk that will start from each district. Participants will pass by the permanent installations of benches, painted red to symbolize [...]
Sat. 2 – Sun. 10: FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL. Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r). Films are screened in their original languages with Italian and English subtitles, making it accessible for study abroad students and foreign residents alike. The 65th Festival dei Popoli will take place in Florence from November 2 to 10, 2024, showcasing over 90 documentary films that delve into pressing themes such as democracy, the courage of [...]
This year’s Halloween, celebrated on the eve of October 31, features a wide variety of activities suitable for people of all ages in Florence. Adults can take an interest in slightly spookier events, while the little ones can go to a pumpkin farm or go trick or treating, especially popular in the Santo Spirito, Sant’Ambrogio and via Gioberti neighborhoods. Although Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, more and more activities are emerging for [...]
Face to Face with Giotto is an initiative that allows residents of the 41 towns and cities that make up the greater Florence metropolitan area to visit the restoration site of the Bardi Chapel in Santa Croce, with Giotto di Bondone frescoes, for free. An important early Renaissance pioneer, Giotto (1267 – 1337) is acknowledged one of the most influential Florentine and Italian painters, known for his use of realism and rudimentary perspective, [...]