Lifestyle Calendar, December 31, 2022: Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance attracts about 10 million visitors every year. Florence is so rich in artistic and architectural wonders, but it is also a business metropolis. Global luxury brands like Salvatore Ferragamo and Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella hail from Florence, or showcase its rich heritage, like the Gucci Garden in Piazza della Signoria. Nowhere in the world can produce such excellent luxury goods as in Scandicci near Florence. Important business fairs await, such as, of course, the Pitti fairs, Mida Florence, dedicated to handicrafts, Preziosa Florence Jewellery Week, Fragranze Firenze, as well as important art and antiques fairs such as the Florence International Biennial of Antiques and Indipendenza Antiquaria.

Cultural travelers can enjoy festivals such as the Danzainfiera, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino or Sesto d'Estate, Villa Solaria. And Florence honors Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, patron saint of the arts, every year on February 17.

Visitors can participate in wonder at the historic religious fire days held at the most important sites or sanctuaries, and admire Florentines in their Renaissance costumes.

And yes, Florence is becoming more modern.

Not only are there palaces frozen in time to marvel at, but 2023 awaits with modern art exhibitions, such as the Henry Moore exhibition, which is meant to be a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the unforgettable show at Forte Belvedere in 1972. And since last year, even NFTS of Botticelli's masterpiece have been sold to art collectors (Cinello's DAW® Technology - Art, Creativity and Innovation from Italy Alethea reported).

Florence is always ready to reinvent itself and modernize. This is evident in the innovative restaurant scene, but also in the new markets, museums or hotels found behind the classic facades. Or enjoy the Green Line light show, always from December to January 2023, which illuminates the old palaces.

And sports play a big role in Florence, not only because of AS Fiorentina but there are marathons in the city and especially the really tough Calcio Storico, where all the national pride of the Florentines shows. And then in winter you can skate on the largest Italian ice rink.

Everything you need to know for your visit to Florence in 2023.

©Michelle Raponi

JANUARY

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Piazza del Duomo © Mike Kienle

Spectacle, Christmas

Green Line

At the light spectacle Green Line, formerly known as Firenze Light Festival, from December 7 to January 8, 2023, the four elements of air, water, earth and fire will spread light and color in the city. Under the artistic direction of Sergio Risaliti, the festival focuses on the relationship between man and nature. Due to the current situation, the number of light installations has been reduced and will be turned on from 5:30 to 10:00 pm. Installation locations are: Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Piazza Duomo, Piazza San Firenze as well as Piazzale Michelangelo.

Festivals, Tradition

Cavalcata dei Magi 2023

To celebrate Epiphany, a public holiday, on the afternoon of January 6, a "procession of the Magi" in beautiful Renaissance costumes takes place in downtown Florence, starting from Palazzo Pitti. This tradition comes from a feast in 1417, the arrival of the Magi at the manger where Jesus was born.

January 6 2023

Theater, Culture

Theatre Di Fiesole

Florence has one more attraction, and that is the Theatro di Fiesole, which opened on November 21. Fiesole has a rich past. Five kilometers northeast of Florence is Fiesole, founded 3,000 years ago as an Etruscan settlement. Eight hundred years, the Romans built the Teatro Romano in Fiesole, considered one of the oldest theaters in Tuscany. Today there are campuses here, even of Harvard and Georgetown Universities, so it is a culturally inspiring environment.

January 6 2023

Pitti Uomo ©Mariya Georgieva

Fair, Fashion

Pitti Uomo

Pitti Uomo is one of the most important international men's fashion fairs, held twice a year. The event has proven to be one of the most chosen for companies to present themselves on an international level and to promote themselves and their image on the international market.

After the fair, the elegantly dressed gentlemen pour into the Florentine nightlife.

10 to 13 January 2023

FEBRUARY

Galleria degli Uffizi ©Maggina Aburlacitei

Carnevale, tradition

Carnival parade

According to legend, Lorenzo de' Medici already celebrated carnival when he wrote the famous carnival song dedicated to Bacchus and Ariadne around 1490: chi vuol essere lieto, sia: di doman non c'è certezza.

The Carnival parade starts in Piazza Ognissanti and goes through the entire city, from Lungarno Vespucci and Lungarno Corsini to Via Tornabuoni, Via Strozzi, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Roma, Piazza Duomo and Via Calzaiuoli. The parade with with horsemen, bands and dancers ends in Piazza della Signoria. The Carnevale Firenze Committee is expected to hold its Gran Ballo Carnevale Firenze at Palazzo Vecchio.

Fair, Antiques

Indipendenza Antiquaria

Indipendenza Antiquaria is a fair in Florence specialized in antiques, held for almost 18 years every third Sunday and the previous Saturday of the month (except July and August).

Dealers and collectors from all over Tuscany travel to the fair, one of the most important antiques fairs in the public space in Tuscany. It takes place in Piazza Indipendenza.

Tradition, Anniversary

Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici

Every year on February 17, the city of Florence honors the last great figure of the House of Medici: Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, who held the title of Electress after her marriage to the Elector of Wittelsbach in 1691. She returned from Düsseldorf to Florence and, after the death of her brother Gian Gastone de' Medici, tried to keep the city's works of art in the hands of the Florentines. The celebrations in honor of the Electress include a memorial service in Palazzo Vecchio, followed by a procession from Piazza Signoria to the Prince's Chapel. In addition, many Florentine museums are open on this day with free admission.

17 February 2023

Sport, Tradition

Calcio Storico Fiorentino - Match of the Siege 2023

Calcio Storico is one of Florence's biggest attractions. The sports festival is a mixture of soccer, rugby and wrestling, based on a match played by Florentine soldiers in the city in 1530. Teams dressed in Renaissance costumes from four Florentine districts participate in this soccer match: Santa Croce (blue), Santo Spirito (white), Santa Maria Novella (red) and San Giovanni (green).

17 February 2023

MARCH

Mercato San Lorenzo ©Jeanbaptiste Terrazzoni

Exhibition, Art

Henry Moore

Until March 31, the great tribute Henry Moore in Florence can be seen in the most beautiful squares of the city. The exhibition is also meant to be a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the unforgettable show at Forte Belvedere in 1972. The current show has been made possible through a collaboration with the Henry Moore Foundation and BIAF - Biennale Internazionale dell'Antiquariato di Firenze. On view in Piazza della Signoria as well as Sagrato dell'Abbazia di San Miniato al Monte.

Until March 31 2023

Holidays, Pleasure

St Patricks Day

From March 17 through the weekend of St. Patrick's Day, you can indulge in Irish tradition and drink green beer. In Florence there are great Irish pubs like Finnegan's Irish Pub, the Florence Irish Pub and the Fiddler's Elbow Pub.

March 17 2023

Festivals, Tradition

SS Annunziata

The Florentine New Year celebration of SS Annunziata on the Feast of the Annunciation begins at Palazzo Vecchio with a morning parade that fills the streets with elaborate medieval costumes and music. The festivities continue in Piazza SS Annunziata, where Florentines and visitors can sample Italian specialties at an outdoor market, enjoy an evening concert (9 p.m.) and view the frescoes of the Annunciation in the church.

March 25 2023

APRIL

Ponte Vecchio ©Magluca Tacinelli

Festivals, Tradition

Scoppio del Carro

The explosion of the chariot is a special Eastern ritual that takes place every year on Easter Sunday in Florence in front of the Duomo. An elaborate chariot dating from 1622, two to three stories high, is pulled behind a fleet of white, garlanded oxen through Florence to the square between the Baptistery and Duomo. The chariot waits for a dove-shaped rocket (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) and begins to explode with colorful fireworks, which is supposed to ensure good harvests and general prosperity of Florentines

9 April 2023

Festivals, Tradition

Festa della Liberazione

The Day of the Liberation of Italy (Festa della Liberazione), also known as the Anniversary of the Liberation (Anniversario della liberazione d'Italia), is celebrated in Italy on April 25 each year. The day is a symbol of the end of World War II in the country, the occupation by Nazi Germany and the fascist government that began in 1943. Marches and parades are held in most Italian cities to commemorate the event.

25 April 2023

Bardini Gardens

Nature Recreation

Iris Garden

Culture can also be exhausting and where better to relax than in one of Florence's enchanting gardens and parks. Relax in places like the Boboli Gardens, the Rose Gardens at Piazzale Michelangelo or even the Botanical Gardens in the city center.

One of the most beautiful gardens of Florence is the Iris Garden, created in 1954 on the occasion of the international competition for the best varieties of irises and maintained until today. space. The event was organized in the city of Florence because the city has always been associated with this flower as its emblem: a red iris on a white field. The iris garden is located on the east side of Piazzale Michelangelo selected, the so-called: Podere dei Bastioni. Gates of the garden are usually opened at the end of April until May 20.

Classical Ferragamo handbag ©Arno Senoner

Museum, Fashion

Ferragamo Museo - Women in Balance

The Museo Salvatore Ferragamo is a company museum dedicated to the history of Merke and the life of its founder and his creations. It is located in the basement vaults and is probably one of the most extraordinary corporate museums in the world. The current Women in Balance exhibition is dedicated to Wanda Miletti Ferragamo. She headed the Salvatore Ferragamo brand from 1960 until her death on October 19, 2018. When her husband died in August 1960, she decided not to close the company, but to transform the artisanal atelier for women's shoes into a fashion house that is now one of the most important luxury brands in the world.

May 20, 2022 to Apri 18, 2023

Museum, Fashion

Costume Gallery Pitti Palace

Also worth a visit for fashionistas, is the Costume Gallery, located in Palazzo Pitti. It was begun under Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo in 1776 and finished in 1840. The Lorraine-Savoy Rooms display collections of historical clothing and accessories previously stored in the palace's storerooms. The ballroom serves exhibitions related to fashion.

Inside magical Gucci Garden ©Jackie Jabson Pexel

Fashion, Museum

Gucci Garden

Another museum is the Gucci Garden. It is located in the historic Palazzo della Mercanzia right next to Palazzo Vecchio. Designed by creative director Alessandro Michele, the place contains a boutique with objects you can only buy there, a restaurant by three-star chef Massimo Bottura and the Gucci Garden Galleria exhibition space, with changing art exhibitions.

Fair, Arts and crafts

Mida Florence

The Mida was one of the first art and craft fairs in Italy. It is still held in the medieval Fortezza Du Basso and shows the great craft and at the same time innovative heritage of Florentine artisans. The accompanying program will be ExtraMida, where performances and workshops will take place. 

April 25 - May 2023

Fair, Jewellery

Preziosa Florence Jewellery Week

This jewelry fair started in 2005 and became one of the most important in Italy. The director of Preziosa Florence Jewellery Week is Giò Carbone, founder of Le Arti Orafe Jewellery School. The 2022 edition was held at the Galleria delle Carrozze in Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

The dates for this extraordinary fair are not yet known.

Palazzo Pitti, where you can find the Costume Gallery ©Rob Menting

Florence has a huge offer of icesorts ©Michelle Raponi

Culinary, Festival

Gelato Festival in Florence

In spring, the city hosts the Firenze Gelato Festival, a challenge for Italian gelato artisans who present their latest creations. The Firenze Gelato Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the secrets of the world of gelato through tastings and workshops. Find the current dates on the website.

Caffe Gilli, Caffe Pazkowski

Alethea Mag editors are always guaranteed to spot in Florence's Caffè Gilli, located in Piazza della Repubblica. Its sister cafe, Caffe Concerto Paszkowski is also wonderful. The Gilli has been around since 1793 and has been a place of inspiration for famous writers and artists ever since.

The famous carousel on Piazza della Repubblica, favorite place of AM editor Rose Fedi, @Rosegossip ©Michelle Raponi

MAY

Calcio Storico Fiorentino

One of the many boutiques in Via Turnabuoni ©Mark Saxby

Festivals, Tradition

Il Trofeo Marzocco

The beating of medieval drummers echoes in Piazza Signoria and magnificent flags fly through the air. To celebrate the Florentine tradition of flag throwing, various Florentine teams come together. Be there to lend your support and you will be thrilled.

Festival, Culture

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

From the end of April to June, the Maggio Musicale takes place in Florence. It is a prestigious cultural event with an eventful program: operas, concerts, ballet performances and prose theater in the most beautiful theaters of the city of the city. It is considered the oldest music festival in Italy. 

JUNE

Piazza Santa Croce ©From Comune di Firenze

Piazza Santa Croce ©From Comune di Firenze

©David Hofmann

Festival, Music

Fiesolana Summer Festival

The multidisciplinary festival Estate Fiesolana, held at the Roman Theater in Fiesole, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022. It was the first ancient theater in Italy to host classical tragedy in 1962, thanks to the interest of the painter and then Councillor for Culture Fernando Farulli.

The festival takes place between June and September and offers a rich program of musical and theatrical events with different musical genres, comedy shows, theatrical performances, dance and one-man shows. And all this under the stars of the Tuscan sky.

The dates have not yet been announced.

June to September 2023

Festivals, Tradition

Festa Della Repubblica

This day commemorates the general institutional referendum of 1946, in which the Italian people were asked to vote on a new form of government after World War II and the fall of fascism. With a surplus of votes, the male descendants of the House of Savoy were sent into exile. Many stores will be closed and public transport will operate according to a festive timetable.

June 2, 2023

The great choice of leather accessoires in Mercato San Lorenzo

Fair, Fashion

Pitti Uomo

The summer edition of the most important international fair for menswear and accessories, as well as for the presentation of new projects in menswear. Launched in 1972, the fair has events throughout the city center over 4 days, to which only invited guests are admitted. June 22-24 is Pitti Bimbo's turn, and June 29-July 1 is Pitti Filati's turn.

June 14 - 17 2023

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio ©Magluca Tacinelli

Festival, Music, Culinary

Sesto d'Estate / Villa Solaria

Sesto d'Estate, Villa Solaria is a new festival in Florence that takes place between June and September in the Parco di Villa Solaria in Sesto Fiorentino. The festival features live music, wine tastings, culinary feasts and theatrical performances. The program is yet to be announced. 

JULY

©Paul Bill

Festival, Elves

Unicorn Festival

At the Unicorn Festival, immerse yourself in a world of magical creatures and meet fairies, elves and mermaids. It takes place twice a year - the winter edition at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence (Firenze Fantasy) and the summer edition in Vinci, about an hour from Florence. Even Hollywood legends have been guests here such as "Highlander" Christopher Lambert, Sean Austin, the star of "Lord of the Rings", or Isaac Hempstead-Wright, the star of "Game of Thrones".

July 21-23 2023

©Clement Souchet

AUGUST

Typical Florentine bar ©Michelle Raponi

Festivals, Tradition

Festa di San Lorenzo

August 10 is dedicated to Saint Lawrence, the martyr prince and Roman deacon. As every year, on August 10, Florence hosts the traditional dinner of pasta with meat sauce, watermelon, yogurt and cream. The festivities begin in the morning at 9:45 am with the parade of the Florentine Republic from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa to Palazzo Vecchio. At 10:15 am the procession will arrive in Piazza Signoria, from where it will proceed to the Basilica of San Lorenzo, where Holy Mass will be celebrated at 11 am. In the evening there will be a concert and dinner in Piazza San Lorenzo from 20.30. 

August 10 2023

Tiffany boutique in Via Tornabuoni ©Michelle Raponi

Fair, Craft

Artigianato e Palazzo, Corsini Gardens

Artigianato e Palazzo is an international craft fair created in 1995 and promoted by Princess Giorgiana Corsini to promote the tradition of handicraft.

Visitors can discover how artisans make their objects by hand by watching them at work in the small workshops in the garden and orangeries. The event will take place in the 16th century Corsini Gardens, designed by Gherardo Silvani, which are open to the public especially for the occasion.

Festivals, Tradition

La Festa delle Rificolone

On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Florentines parade through the city with paper lanterns. This tradition dates back to the Renaissance, when pilgrims gathered with lanterns in front of the Church of Santissima Annunziata on this day. Many came from outside the city after sunset and needed a lantern to light the way. The main procession begins around 8 p.m. in Piazza Santa Croce and proceeds through Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo through Via dei Servi to Piazza S. S. Annunziata.

September 7 2023

SEPTEMBER

©William Bout

Fair, Perfume

Fragranze Firenze

Let's move on to perfume. It is said that the history of perfume is actually in Italy. It is known that Catherine de Medici brought her personal perfumer Renato Bianco to the French court. Of course, perfume lovers know that every autumn Fragranze Firenze is held, an important international fair for perfume.

September 15 - 17 2023

Museum, Perfume,

Museo Villoresi, Florence

Speaking of perfume. The name Lorenzo Villoresi is a household name on the international perfume scene. His perfume creations can be found in his Lorenzo Villoresi Boutique in Florence. A perfume museum has also recently opened in the century-old family estate.

Shopping, Perfume

It's not just art and culture that makes a Florence trip memorable, but also the enchanting shopping streets. A treasure is of course Officina Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, the oldest perfumery in Europe since 1621. Other highlights are Jo Malone Boutique, Dr. Paolo Vranjes, pharmacist, chemist and perfumer, with no less than 3 boutiques in Florence, as well as Master Perfumer Sileno Cheloni.

©Jakob Rubner

OCTOBER

Galleria dell'Accademia ©Will Pantaleo

Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo, united all the Florentine drawing schools in an "Academy" in 1784. He also founded a gallery to make it easier for the students to study the paintings. Since then, the Accademia Gallery has been located in the "Hospital of St. Matthew". In 1873, Michelangelo's David, which had previously stood in Piazza Signoria for four centuries, was exhibited for the first time on a specially designed tribune.

Galleria degli Uffizzi ©Tzenik

Festivals, Tradition

Festa di Santa Reparata

Santa Reparata was the ancient cathedral of Florence, built on the site where Santa Maria del Fiore now stands. Thanks to archaeological excavations carried out from 1971 to 1972, experts were able to reconstruct the original floor plan, which can be visited. The celebrations usually include guided tours of "Roman Florence" and lectures on Roman Florence in the first centuries of the Christian era. A historical parade honoring the Florentine Republic is followed in the evening by a ceremony in the crypt of Santa Reparata.

October 8 2023

Fair, Art

BIAF - Florence International Biennial of Antiques

The Biennale di Firenze, also known as the Biennale Internazionale dell'Arte Contemporanea has been held in Fortezza da Basso since 1997. There are presented the novelties of Italian and international galleries of contemporary art, modern art and multimedia art.

October 14 to 22 2023

DECEMBER

Sports, Entertainment

Florence Ice Village and Florence Winter Park

Throughout Italy, Florence ice skating opportunities are well known and popular. The best places to skate in are the Florence Ice Village - the longest in Europe! It is a 300-meter ice ring located around the Poggi Basin, the "Swan Lake," in the gardens of the Fortezza Da Basso.

And there is the Florence Winter Park with ice skating school, ice stick rink and restaurants.

ALETHEA recommends

31 December 2022

Medieval city of Bruges, 1 hour from Brussels ©Azamat Esmurziyev

Lifestyle Calendar, 26 December 2022

Discover Europe's cities and their New Year's Eve spectacles at the end of 2022. If you couldn't plan a trip, we show you recommendations for spontaneous trips on a budget that you can reach by train. Free concerts in Piazza Duomo, Milan, Rome and Vienna. The most bombastic New Year's Eve street party in Europe at the Brandenburger Tor, Berlin. Fireworks in Brussels for the first time again. An illuminated cathedral in Lausanne. New Year's parades in Paris, London, or start the New Year at the Vatican, Rome. Or enjoy empty dreamy beaches in Deauville, Normandy on New Year's morning.

Read more