SEASONS AND DATES

Florence is an exciting city all year round, with street parades, contemporary art shows and fashion events to satisfy all tastes. Like all of Italy, Florence celebrates Catholic festivities, as well as historical ones. The city has become a destination for travellers all year round, the days of a quieter season a thing of the past. That said, early spring or late autumn is ideal for the blooms, harvest for foodies, and cooler temperatures.

January 6 – Epiphany

A parade performed in Florence since 1417, ‘Cavalcade of the Three Kings’ commemorates the three kings’ arrival in Bethlehem. It begins at Palazzo Pitti and winds through the city streets with a colourful procession in Renaissance costumes. It’s a public holiday, so many shops and offices will be closed.

Pitti Immagine

This bi-annual fashion spectacle in June and January (check website for dates: www.pittimmagine.com) means the city is inundated with fashion industry movers and shakers from around the world keen to spy on the latest menswear collections. The trade shows are ticketed; however, many events are open to the public, with pop-up shops, bars, and street parties taking place all week. Pitti Taste, a foodie version of the Festa, is hosted in March.

February 18 – Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici

Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici, credited with preserving Florence’s art and culture, an esteemed Fiorentina, is celebrated every February with free entrance to the civic museums throughout the city and an opportune day to explore Palazzo Vecchio or Bargello.

March 25 Florentine New Year

The Renaissance capital had its own New Year, celebrated nine months before Christ’s birth. The Feast of the Annunciation is when Angel Gabriel informed Mary she would soon be with a child. A morning parade from Piazza della Signoria to Piazza della Santissima Annunziata is a spectacle. Meanwhile, an outdoor food market runs in Annunziata until 5 pm.

Easter Scoppio del Carro

Easter Sunday is the biggest holiday in the Christian calendar, celebrated in Florence with an explosive spectacle in Piazza del Duomo at 11 am. The city’s celebrations date back 1000 years to the First Crusade. Since the 15th century, a richly decorated cart travels through the streets after mass. All before being lit with multi-coloured fireworks, which explode to symbolise the following year’s harvest.

May Maggio Musicale

One of Europe’s oldest and most influential music festivals was founded in Florence in 1933. Now, every year during May, shows are performed in theatres throughout the city. Including the state-of-the-art opera house Teatro dell’Opera di Firenze. Find performance and ticket details at www.maggiofiorentino.com

June 24 – Calcio Storico and St John’s Day

Celebrating Florence’s patron saint, San Giovanni (St John), coincides with the final of the historic soccer match, Calcio Storico. A mix of rugby, soccer, and boxing, Calcio Storico is played between the four old quartieres of the city in Piazza di Santa Croce. Afterwards, the winning team takes to the streets to celebrate their win. Come nightfall, the city sets off a fireworks display at 10 pm from Ponte Vecchio in honour of St John.

August holidays

Summertime sees a heatwave strike Florence, and the locals flock to the nearest beach. During August, many independent stores close for the whole month. It’s when you’ll find the quieter backstreets void of their usual buzz. The leading museums and galleries remain open, so the city hotspots are as vibrant as ever. Expect temperatures in the high 30°C range, and take advantage of a siesta to avoid the midday sun.

December 8 – Christmas lights

There is something serene and magical about the twinkle of soft white lights around Florence in December. Piazza Santa Croce hosts an annual Christmas market in traditional German style. Meanwhile, the annual Christmas tree in Piazza del Duomo is lit on December 8 to much city fanfare.

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