What is the best time to visit Florence for events?

The best time depends on your interests. Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October) offer pleasant weather and numerous festivals. Summer (June-August) is hot and crowded, but has many outdoor events. Winter (November-March) is quieter and cheaper, but some events are less frequent.

How far in advance should I book accommodation for events in Florence?

For major events like Easter, Calcio Storico, and New Year's Eve, book accommodation several months in advance. For smaller events, booking a few weeks in advance is usually sufficient.

How can I get tickets for Calcio Storico Fiorentino?

Tickets are difficult to obtain. The best way is to enter the official lottery. You can also try to find tickets through authorized resellers, but be wary of scalpers.

Are there any free events in Florence?

Yes, many events are free, including church services, street performances, and some outdoor concerts during Estate Fiorentina. The Festa della Rificolona and the Scoppio del Carro are also free to attend (although you might want to buy a lantern for the former).

What is the Firenze Card and is it worth it?

The Firenze Card is a pass that provides access to many of Florence's museums and attractions. It can save you money and time, especially if you plan to visit many museums. Consider purchasing one if you intend to see many of the city's main attractions.

What are some family-friendly events in Florence?

Carnevale, with its costumes and parades, is great for kids. The Festa della Rificolona, where children parade with paper lanterns, is another fun option. The Gelato Festival is a delicious treat for the whole family. During the summer, Estate Fiorentina offers many family-friendly outdoor performances.

Florence Festivals & Events 2026

Florence Festivals & Events Calendar 2026: A Month-by-Month Family Guide

Planning a family trip to Florence in 2026? Immerse yourselves in the city's vibrant culture by attending its many festivals and events. From historical celebrations to delicious food festivals, there's something for everyone. This month-by-month guide will help you plan the perfect Florentine adventure, maximizing fun while being mindful of the impact of events on hotel prices.

January

January in Florence is generally quieter, making it a good time for budget-conscious travelers. However, there are still events to enjoy.

New Year's Day Celebrations (January 1st)

While not as extravagant as in some cities, Florence celebrates New Year's Day with special church services and some restaurants offering celebratory meals. Many shops will be closed.

Where: City-wide, but focus on the Duomo area for services.
Cost: Free (church services), meal costs vary.
Tip: Book restaurant reservations well in advance.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate, expect slightly higher prices around New Year's.

Epiphany (January 6th)

A religious holiday celebrated throughout Italy, Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season. Expect some shops to be closed.

Where: Churches throughout Florence.
Cost: Free.
Tip: Check local church schedules for special Epiphany services.
Hotel Price Impact: Low.

February

February brings Carnevale celebrations and a generally cooler climate.

Carnevale (Variable, usually mid-February)

While not as famous as Venice's Carnevale, Florence has its own celebrations, especially for children. Expect costume parades, street performers, and sweet treats like cenci (fried dough).

Where: Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Repubblica, and various neighborhood squares.
Cost: Mostly free, some activities may have a small fee.
Tip: Check local listings for parade routes and children's events.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate, prices may increase slightly during Carnevale weekend.

Florence Cocktail Week (Late February/Early March)

For adults, Florence Cocktail Week offers tastings, masterclasses, and special menus at bars throughout the city.

Where: Participating bars city-wide.
Cost: Varies depending on the event, often €15-€30 per tasting.
Tip: Purchase a Cocktail Week pass for discounts and access to exclusive events.
Hotel Price Impact: Low.

March

March sees the arrival of spring and several exciting events.

Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday, usually late March)

This ancient tradition, meaning "Explosion of the Cart," is a spectacular Easter Sunday event. A cart filled with fireworks is set off in front of the Duomo.

Where: Piazza del Duomo.
Cost: Free to watch.
Tip: Arrive early (several hours) to secure a good viewing spot. It gets extremely crowded.
Hotel Price Impact: High, Easter weekend is a peak travel time. Book accommodation months in advance.

Florence Marathon (Late November, training runs in March)

While the actual marathon is in November, March often sees organized training runs and preparatory events. Check the official Florence Marathon website for details.

Where: Various locations around Florence.
Cost: Varies depending on the event.
Tip: Consider joining a training run to experience the city with local runners.
Hotel Price Impact: Low to moderate, depending on the specific training event dates.

April

April is a beautiful time to visit Florence, with pleasant weather and numerous outdoor events.

Florence Gelato Festival (Late April)

A delicious event for gelato lovers! Sample unique flavors from gelato makers from across Italy. Locations vary each year, so check the official Gelato Festival website closer to the date.

Where: Various locations, check the official website.
Cost: Around €20-€25 for a tasting card.
Tip: Try the “flavor of the year” and vote for your favorite gelato maker.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate to high, April is a popular travel month.

International Handicraft Fair (Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato) (Late April/Early May)

Discover unique handcrafted goods from artisans around the world. This fair takes place at the Fortezza da Basso, a historic fortress.

Where: Fortezza da Basso, Viale Filippo Strozzi, 1.
Cost: Around €7-€10 per person.
Tip: Bargain respectfully with vendors.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate.

May

May is another excellent month to visit, with warm weather and plenty of events.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (May-June)

Florence's most prestigious music festival, featuring opera, ballet, and concerts at various venues, including the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

Where: Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Piazzale Vittorio Gui, 1, and other venues.
Cost: Ticket prices vary widely depending on the performance, from €20 to €200+.
Tip: Book tickets well in advance, especially for popular performances.
Hotel Price Impact: High, especially during major performances.

Iris Garden Opening (May, exact dates vary)

The Iris Garden, located near Piazzale Michelangelo, opens for a limited time in May when the irises are in full bloom. It's a beautiful and fragrant experience.

Where: Viale Michelangelo, 82.
Cost: Free.
Tip: Check the exact opening dates online as they vary each year.
Hotel Price Impact: Low.

June

June is a vibrant month in Florence, with warm weather and several historical and cultural events.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino (June)

This is a historical Florentine football game played in costume in Piazza Santa Croce. It's a rough and tumble spectacle with roots in the 16th century.

Where: Piazza Santa Croce.
Cost: Tickets are difficult to obtain and can be expensive, ranging from €50 to €150+. They are usually sold through official channels and local vendors.
Tip: Enter a lottery for tickets, or try to find them through authorized resellers. Be wary of scalpers.
Hotel Price Impact: Very high, this is a major event. Book far in advance.

Festa di San Giovanni (June 24th)

The Feast of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence, is celebrated with a historical parade, fireworks over the Arno River, and the final match of Calcio Storico.

Where: City-wide, fireworks over the Arno River.
Cost: Free to watch the parade and fireworks.
Tip: Find a spot along the Arno River early for the best view of the fireworks.
Hotel Price Impact: High, due to the Festa and Calcio Storico.

July

July is hot and can be crowded, but there are still events to enjoy, especially open-air concerts and festivals.

Estate Fiorentina (July-September)

A series of outdoor concerts, film screenings, theater performances, and art exhibitions held throughout the summer in various locations, including parks and piazzas.

Where: Various locations, check the program online.
Cost: Varies depending on the event, many are free.
Tip: Take advantage of the cooler evening temperatures to enjoy outdoor performances.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate to high, July is peak tourist season.

August

August is the hottest month, and many locals take vacations, but the city is still bustling with tourists.

Ferragosto (August 15th)

A national holiday marking the Assumption of Mary. Many shops and restaurants may be closed, especially on August 15th itself. Some special church services are held.

Where: Churches throughout Florence.
Cost: Free.
Tip: Check opening hours of museums and attractions in advance.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate, some businesses close leading to less competition for lodging.

September

September is a wonderful time to visit, with pleasant weather and the start of the grape harvest season.

Festa della Rificolona (September 7th)

A unique Florentine tradition where children parade through the streets with paper lanterns (rificolone). The parade culminates in Piazza Santissima Annunziata.

Where: Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
Cost: Free.
Tip: Buy a rificolona lantern from a street vendor and join the fun.
Hotel Price Impact: Low to moderate.

Grape Harvest Festivals (Throughout September)

Various towns and villages around Florence celebrate the grape harvest with festivals featuring wine tastings, food stalls, and traditional music. Impruneta, known for its terracotta production, often has a large festival.

Where: Towns surrounding Florence, such as Impruneta.
Cost: Varies depending on the festival, wine tastings often cost €10-€20.
Tip: Rent a car to explore the Tuscan countryside and participate in these local festivals.
Hotel Price Impact: Low in Florence, but may be higher in the towns hosting the festivals.

October

October offers mild weather and fewer crowds than the summer months.

Florence Biennale (October, every other year - next in 2027)

An international contemporary art exhibition held at the Fortezza da Basso. Showcases works by artists from around the world (note: next event is in 2027).

Where: Fortezza da Basso, Viale Filippo Strozzi, 1.
Cost: Around €15-€20 per person.
Tip: Allocate several hours to explore the extensive exhibits.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate.

Boccaccesca Food and Wine Festival (Late October)

Located in Certaldo Alto (a medieval town near Florence), this festival celebrates Tuscan food and wine. Easily accessible by train or car.

Where: Certaldo Alto.
Cost: Varies depending on the tastings, typically €10-€25. Train tickets from Florence are around €6-€8 each way.
Tip: Take the funicular up to Certaldo Alto for stunning views.
Hotel Price Impact: Low in Florence, moderate in Certaldo.

November

November is a quieter month, with cooler weather and the Florence Marathon.

Florence Marathon (Late November)

One of Italy's most popular marathons, attracting runners from around the world. The route takes runners past many of Florence's famous landmarks.

Where: Starts and finishes in Piazza del Duomo.
Cost: Registration fee for runners, free to watch.
Tip: Book accommodation well in advance if you are participating in the marathon.
Hotel Price Impact: High, especially around the marathon weekend.

Festival dei Popoli (Late November/Early December)

An international documentary film festival showcasing films from around the world. Screenings and events are held at various venues throughout the city.

Where: Various cinemas and cultural centers.
Cost: Ticket prices vary, around €7-€10 per film.
Tip: Check the festival program online for films that interest you.
Hotel Price Impact: Low.

December

December brings festive cheer to Florence, with Christmas markets and holiday celebrations.

Christmas Markets (Throughout December)

Several Christmas markets pop up throughout Florence, selling handcrafted gifts, decorations, and festive food and drinks. The main market is usually in Piazza Santa Croce.

Where: Piazza Santa Croce and other locations.
Cost: Free to enter, cost of goods varies.
Tip: Enjoy a cup of mulled wine (vin brulé) while browsing the stalls.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate to high, especially during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24th and 25th)

Special church services are held throughout Florence. Many restaurants offer Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus. Expect some shops to be closed.

Where: Churches throughout Florence.
Cost: Free (church services), meal costs vary.
Tip: Book restaurant reservations well in advance for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Hotel Price Impact: High, especially around Christmas.

New Year's Eve (December 31st)

Florence celebrates New Year's Eve with concerts, street performances, and fireworks. Piazza della Signoria often hosts a free concert. Many restaurants offer special New Year's Eve dinners (cenone).

Where: Piazza della Signoria and other locations. Fireworks over the Arno.
Cost: Free (street performances), meal costs vary.
Tip: Book restaurant reservations well in advance for New Year's Eve. The fireworks display is best viewed from the Ponte Vecchio area.
Hotel Price Impact: Very high, book accommodation months in advance.

Don't Miss Events:

Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday): A truly unique and historical Florentine tradition.
Calcio Storico Fiorentino (June): A spectacle unlike any other, offering a glimpse into Florence's past.
Festa di San Giovanni (June 24th): Celebrate Florence's patron saint with a parade and fireworks.

Best Value Months:

Consider visiting Florence in January, February, or November. While the weather may be cooler, you'll find lower hotel prices and fewer crowds. Look for events like Florence Cocktail Week in February or the Festival dei Popoli in November for added entertainment.

Insider Tip:

Purchase a Firenze Card for access to many of Florence's museums and attractions. It can save you money and time, especially during peak season. Consider booking accommodation outside the city center (e.g., in the Oltrarno district or nearby towns) for lower prices and a more authentic experience.