Good to know
Good to Know
- Calcio Storico is genuinely violent—not a tourist show. Players suffer serious injuries every year. However, many local families bring children; check your comfort level in advance.
- June 24 is Florence's busiest cultural day of the year: the Calcio Storico final, St. John the Baptist feast day with parades, and nighttime fireworks from Piazzale Michelangelo all coincide.
- Most public processions and outdoor celebrations (Rificolona, Cavalcade of Three Kings, Carro Matto, San Lorenzo festival) are free and openly accessible—no tickets required.
- The Scoppio del Carro on Easter Sunday is historic and visually impressive, but arrives inside the Cathedral during Mass; public viewing from the piazza is free but crowded.
- March 25 (Capodanno Fiorentino/Feast of the Annunciation) remains officially observed in Florence as an unofficial second New Year, reflecting centuries-old local tradition.
- Many events cluster in spring and early summer (March–June), fewer in winter months (December–February).
- Calcio Storico tickets sell out in under 15 minutes and must be purchased online in advance. Plan your ticket strategy days ahead.
Events
Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Historic Florentine Football)
- Date
- Mid-to-late June (semifinal 1: Saturday June 13, 2026; semifinal 2: Sunday June 14, 2026; final: Wednesday June 24, 2026)
- Location
- Piazza Santa Croce
- Ticket Price
- €29
- Ticket Price Premium
- €80
- Notes
- Tickets for 2026 go on sale June 11 at ticketone.it. Sells out extremely fast (under 15 minutes). Range from €29 (standing/uncovered) to €80+ (covered grandstands). Genuinely violent sport with injuries every year—not theatrical.
- Description
- An ancient ball game dating back to the 16th century, combining elements of football, rugby, wrestling, and martial arts. Played in Renaissance costume by four historical neighborhood teams representing Santa Croce (Azzurri/Blues), Santo Spirito (Bianchi/Whites), Santa Maria Novella (Rossi/Reds), and San Giovanni (Verdi/Greens). The final is always held on June 24, the feast day of San Giovanni (St. John the Baptist), Florence's patron saint.
Scoppio Del Carro (Explosion of the Cart)
- Date
- Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026)
- Location
- Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)
- Notes
- Free to view. Historically significant tradition; publicly accessible.
- Description
- A spectacular ceremony dating back almost 400 years. An elaborate wagon built in 1622, pulled by white oxen decorated in garlands, is hauled from Porta a Prato to the Cathedral. At noon during Mass, a mechanical dove-shaped rocket descends from the high altar, igniting an impressive pyrotechnic display. Symbolizes a good harvest.
I Fochi Di San Giovanni (The Fires of Saint John)
- Date
- June 24 (St. John the Baptist feast day)
- Location
- Piazzale Michelangelo and along the Arno River
- Notes
- Free public event. Major civic holiday—much of the city participates and many shops may close.
- Description
- A traditional celebration honoring Florence's patron saint, San Giovanni. The city is festive from morning to night with parades, sports events, music, and fireworks. Evening culminates in a spectacular fireworks display from Piazzale Michelangelo visible along the Arno, coinciding with the Calcio Storico final.
Rificolona (Festival of Paper Lanterns)
- Date
- September 7 (evening, celebrating the Nativity of the Virgin Mary)
- Location
- Piazza Santissima Annunziata
- Notes
- Free public event. Strong local participation, especially among families and children.
- Description
- A traditional procession inspired by a pilgrimage of distant mountain travelers who illuminated Florence's dark streets with lanterns. Modern tradition involves children and families hanging paper lanterns from windows or carrying them on long poles. A procession forms toward the piazza.
Festival of the Annunciation (Capodanno Fiorentino)
- Date
- March 25
- Location
- Throughout the city, particularly Piazza della Signoria
- Notes
- Free public celebration. Reflects deep historical and religious roots unique to Florence.
- Description
- Florentines celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation—an unofficial Florentine New Year. For 168 years until 1750, Florence refused to adopt the January 1 Gregorian calendar year and instead observed New Year on March 25. This ancient devotion to the Madonna remains part of the city's culture. The day features processions and celebrations in Renaissance dress.
La Fiorita (Infiorata) — Commemoration of Savonarola
- Date
- May 23
- Location
- Piazza della Signoria
- Notes
- Free public event. Somber, contemplative tradition rather than festive.
- Description
- A quiet but meaningful ceremony marking the anniversary of the execution of Girolamo Savonarola (May 23, 1498). A procession of rose petals is thrown at the exact spot in Piazza della Signoria where he was burned at the stake, honoring his memory and significance to Florentine history.
Feast of San Lorenzo (San Lorenzo Festival)
- Date
- August 10
- Location
- Piazza San Lorenzo
- Notes
- Free public event. Authentic local tradition with food and community participation.
- Description
- A neighborhood celebration honoring the saint. After a celebratory Mass at 6 p.m. in the church of San Lorenzo, the surrounding market stalls are rolled away around 7 p.m., and an outdoor celebration begins. Free lasagna and watermelon are served at 9 p.m., with live music and festive atmosphere.
Festival of the Cricket (Festa Del Grillo) — Ascension Day Celebration
- Date
- Ascension Day (first Sunday after Easter; May 17, 2026)
- Location
- Parco delle Cascine (Cascine Park)
- Notes
- Free public event. Family-friendly spring tradition. Live cricket sales have been replaced with mechanical alternatives due to animal welfare concerns.
- Description
- A traditional spring festival derived from ancient pagan festivities. Historically, wooden cages with live crickets were sold; modern practice uses mechanical crickets instead. The park fills with picnickers and families celebrating the arrival of spring.
Cavalcade of the Three Kings (Epiphany Procession)
- Date
- January 6
- Location
- Downtown Florence, processional route from Palazzo Pitti
- Notes
- Free public event. Historically significant, with full Renaissance costume pageantry.
- Description
- A colorful parade in Renaissance costumes commemorating the arrival of the three kings to the manger. The tradition dates back to 1417 and remains one of Florence's most beloved civic ceremonies, reenacting an ancient celebration through the city center.
Carro Matto (Crazy Cart) — Wine Harvest Celebration
- Date
- Last weekend of September
- Location
- Through the center of Florence
- Notes
- Free to view public procession. Authentic Tuscan agricultural tradition adapted to urban celebration.
- Description
- A celebration of the wine harvest and new wine season in Tuscany. The procession passes through Florence's center, accompanied by the Corteo Storico (historical procession) and sbandieratori (traditional flag-throwers) in historical costume.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
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These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.