Florence celebrates its history and culture throughout the year with festivals ranging from medieval football matches to world-class opera. Some traditions, like the Scoppio del Carro at Easter, date back centuries and draw huge crowds to the city center. Others, like the Maggio Musicale, attract international performers and audiences for weeks at a time.
Many of these events affect hotel availability and accommodation prices, particularly during Pitti Immagine's fashion weeks and the major June festivals. It's worth knowing what's happening when you visit, whether you want to experience a particular celebration or prefer to avoid the busiest periods. This guide covers the major events in 2026.
Pitti Immagine
(January and June) Fortezza da Basso
These major international fashion trade shows bring buyers, designers, and industry professionals to Florence twice yearly. Pitti Uomo (menswear) is the largest, but the events also include Pitti Bimbo (childrenswear) and Pitti Filati (yarn). While these are trade events rather than public festivals, they significantly affect the city. Hotels book up months in advance, restaurants are busier, and you'll see more sharply dressed visitors than usual. If you're planning a trip to Florence in mid-January or mid-June, book accommodation early.
More info: Pitti Immagine
Scoppio del Carro
(Easter Sunday) Piazza del Duomo
The "Explosion of the Cart" is Florence's most theatrical Easter tradition. A tall antique cart filled with fireworks is drawn by white oxen to the Duomo, where at 11am a mechanical dove on a wire travels from the high altar to ignite the pyrotechnics. The resulting explosion is spectacular. The tradition dates to the First Crusade and is believed to ensure a good harvest. The square fills early, so arrive well before 11am if you want a good view.
More info: Visit Florence/Scoppio del Carro
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
(late April through June) Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and other venues
One of Italy's oldest and most prestigious music festivals, founded in 1933. The program includes opera, orchestral concerts, chamber music, and ballet performed by international artists and the festival's resident orchestra and chorus. Performances take place primarily at the purpose-built Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a modern venue south of the city center. The quality is consistently high, though ticket prices reflect that. Book well in advance for popular productions.
More info: Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Calcio Storico
(mid-June) Piazza Santa Croce
This 16th-century form of football combines the physicality of rugby with fairly relaxed rules. Four teams of 27 players (Santa Croce in blue, Santo Spirito in white, Santa Maria Novella in red, and San Giovanni in green) compete in a sand-filled arena in front of the Church of Santa Croce.
The square is covered in dirt to cushion the inevitable falls and blows, returning it to its original state when the game was first played centuries ago. Seating is set up for spectators around the makeshift pitch.
More info: Calcio Storico Guide
Festa di San Giovanni
(June 24) City center and Piazzale Michelangelo Florence celebrates its patron saint with a morning parade in historical costume from Piazza della Signoria to the Baptistery, where offerings are made. The highlight is the evening fireworks display over Piazzale Michelangelo, visible from many points across the city. Locals picnic on the hillsides and along the Arno to watch the fireworks. The riverside areas below Piazzale Michelangelo get crowded but offer the best views. Arrive early for a good spot.
More info: Visit Florence/San Giovanni
Estate Fiesolana in Fiesole
(21 June to 22 August) Teatro Romano This summer festival brings music, dance, theater, and comedy to Fiesole's ancient Roman theater in the hills above Florence. Performances under the stars in this 2,000-year-old setting are memorable, though parking is difficult. Take ATAF bus line 7 from central Florence instead.
More info: Estate Fiesolana
Festa della Rificolona
(Sept 7) Piazza Santissima Annunziata
This festival of large colourful paper lanterns in the square dedicated to Mary, Santissima Annunziata celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary. The trip into the city for this celebration was once taken as an opportunity to sell their goods by the local farmers and craftsmen - this tradition continues today and the celebration is also a market day in the square of Santissima Annunziata.
Today it is mainly aimed at children, who hold aloft the colourful paper lanterns while singing traditional songs like
"Ona ona ona, ma che bella rificolona\".
The procession starts from Piazza Santa Felicita and heads for Piazza SS. Annunziata passing through Piazza della Signoria.
More info: Visita Firenze/Rificolona
Festa dell'Uva in Impruneta
(mid-September) Impruneta
Impruneta’s autumnal grape celebration of the bounty of its vineyards fills its streets with allegorical wagons and the piazza with merriment.
Events begin early in September: the four districts (rioni) of the town, represented throughout the year by flags prominently displayed, compete in a culinary contest to determine which neighborhood makes the best peposo, Impruneta’s signature peppery beef stew, known as its signature dish. The stew was traditionally prepared by brickmakers in a terracotta pot, put into a kiln to slowly cook all morning.
The events continue over the weekend, with concerts, carnival floats and more food and of course, plenty of wine.
More Info: Festa dell'uva Impruneta
Florence Marathon
(November 29, 2026) City center route
The marathon route winds through Florence's historic center, crossing the Arno multiple times and passing major landmarks. It's scenic for runners, but road closures disrupt traffic and pedestrian access throughout the morning. If you're visiting during marathon weekend, expect detours and plan extra time for getting around the city. The atmosphere is festive, but practicality suffers.
More info: Florence Marathon
Author: Dan Wrightson
Dan Wrightson grew up in Tuscany, Italy and has been writing about, sketching and exploring Tuscany and Italy since 1983.
16th Jun 2020 4th Jan 2026