be.ready! unmissable events in florence, 2024 (2024)

Welcome 2024! Be.Ready for the year ahead with an exciting list ofthings to do in Florence, from traditional festivals and new exhibitions to major sporting events such as Florence being made the starting point of the most important cycling competition in the world, theTour de France.

Get your pens and paper at the ready and jot down the dates to take a trip to Florence! And remember, Destination Florence has a different Florence-related theme each month, granting you new points of view as well as experiences, events and areas to discover.

January: Be.Ready!

Ready to start? The Florentine events programme, as always, begins with its world-famous fashion fair,Pitti Immagine, at the Fortezza da Basso fromJanuary 9-26.For over seventy years, the event has taken over the city with fashion, design, food and wine fairs, and social events. Its headline event isPitti Uomo(January 9-12). Also in January, you can take the opportunity to visit incredible exhibitions before they close, includingAnish Kaapor’s Untrue, Unrealuntil February 4and Artemisia in the Michelangelo Museum. Of course, you’ll also want to grab your skates for the last of theice skating at Cascine Park(until January 15)!

February: Be.Love

This year,Carnivalis set for February 11, and Florence will have its ownparade in the historic center(date to be confirmed). Above all, however, in February we dedicate ourselves to love in all its forms. Our love for flavors is celebrated withTaste, a three-day event dedicated to a high-quality food lifestyle taking place fromFebruary 3-5at Fortezza da Basso. Our love for literature is marked withTesto – Come si diventa un libro, the annual event for readers and publishing enthusiasts that will be held at Stazione Leopolda fromFebruary 23-25.Over the same weekend, we proclaim our love for dance withDanzainfiera, the international fair that hosts many guests, masterclasses and shows at Fortezza da Basso.

March: Be.Free

Did you know that theFlorentine New Yearis celebrated on March 25? It dates back to the Middle Ages, when the 25th marked the beginning of the civil calendar. It’s remembered with ahistorical processionthat starts from Palagio di Parte Guelfa and winds through the city streets up to the Santissima Annunziata Basilica. Other dates to note:Palazzo Strozzi’s new exhibition,Fallen Angels by Anselm Kiefer, begins on March 22; the Korea Film Festival returns from March 21- 29; andEasteris celebrated with the traditionalScoppio del Carroon Sunday, March 31, 2024.

April: Be.Colorful

A month of colors and blossoms! April begins with theFirenze Flower Show, an exhibition of rare and unusual plants in the spectacular Corsini Gardens (dates to be confirmed). Then there’s theFlorence Half MarathononApril 7, for all running-enthusiasts and those interested in sports tourism. We finish off the month with the 88th edition ofMIDA - the International Crafts Exhibitionof Florence at Fortezza da Basso, the opening of the Iris Garden at Piazzale Michelangelo, and the Flower Exhibition in Giardino dell’Orticoltura.

May: Be.Rock

May means music! The prestigiousMaggio Musicale Fiorentino Festival(the oldest in Italy!) inaugurates its season of operas, concerts and choirs, and theDeejay Ten race(date to be confirmed) fills the streets with energy and music. There’s not only that: the renowned annual summit for high-level reflection on the European agenda,The State of the Union, returnson May 23 and 24, with the participation of renowned scientific thinkers, academics, policymakers and journalists from various disciplines.

June: Be.Yourself

When we think June, we thinkFlorence Rocks! The line-up and dates of the biggest rock festival in Italy are yet to be confirmed (it usually takes place in the middle of the month), but if you don't want to miss the big names performing, we suggest you keep an eye on our channels.

This year, however, June is marked by another very important event: on Saturday,June 29, theGrand Départ of the Tour de Francewill be from Piazzale Michelangelo, the first Italian starting point in the history of the Tour! It kicks off with the Florence-Rimini stage, which will pass in front of theGino Bartali Museumin Ponte a Ema in honor of the great Florentine cyclist.

But hang on a minute, everyone! Thetrue symbol of June, for us Florentines, isJune 24; the day in which we celebrate San Giovanni, the patron saint of the city, honoured with fochi (fireworks) and the final of theCalcio Storico tournamentin Piazza Santa Croce.

July: Be.Modern

July is a sun-filled month to discover different forms of art and entertainment! EnjoyPiazza Santissima Annunziata under the starswith the beautifulMusArt Festivalas part ofEstate Fiorentina(dates to be confirmed). The music and dance festival features high-calibrer national and international guests, including the unmissableRoberto Bolle & Friends.All Star Game Florence(dates to be confirmed) at Piazzale Michelangelo is a sporting event dedicated to basketball and beach volleyball. And, for cosplay lovers, the iconic medieval-fantasy event,Vinci Unicorn Festival, will be held fromJuly 26-28.

August: Be.Cool

August in Florence is warm and tranquil. Unlike the Tyrrhenian coasts, the city empties, leaving room for fresh and relaxing activities such as the discovery oflakes, rivers and swimming pools.OnAugust 10, we celebrateSan Lorenzo, co-patron saint of the city, with the occasion called the day of the shooting stars. The San Lorenzo neighborhood is transformed into apopular festivalwhere pasta with ragu and watermelon are free for everyone as a DJ gets everyone dancing under the basilica.

September: Be.Happy & Belong

Off we go again! Just like when we were at school, September is the month in which everyone comes back together to restart. The city welcomes new students with a late summer events programme packed with traditional events and festivals such as theRificolona Festival, a parade of colorful and creative traditional paper lanterns onSeptember 7.

Another unmissable parade marks the arrival of theCarro Matto, a cart carrying 1,000 flasks of new wine, on the fourth Saturday of the month. We also welcome a new exhibition atPalazzo Strozzi, Helen Frankenthaler:Painting without rules, opening to the public on September 27, and the 33rdBIAF - Antiques Biennialfrom September 28-October 6 at Palazzo Corsini.

October: Be.Green

In October, we celebrate sustainability and newolive oil with fettunta(slices of bread with olive oil). It’s also a time for new ideas, with the50 Days of Cinemaopening with the Fan Hua Chinese Festival (dates to be confirmed). The series sees nine top-quality international film festivals held in the city, including the event dedicated toLGBT+films, theFlorence Queer Festival(dates to be confirmed).

November: Be.Inspired

Let yourself be inspired while undertaking a large-scale run! OnNovember 24, 2024, theFlorence Marathonmakes its return. It’s one of the main national road running events, second only to the marathon in Rome, and it’s among the top 20 most noted marathons in the world in terms of both quantity of participants and quality.

December: Be.Human

Around December 8, theGreen Line Festivalstarts from the day on which theChristmas treeis lit in front of theDuomo, illuminating Florence and its monuments with lights and color. It’s the perfect time of year for wandering the streets of Florence,ice skating, and taking a ride on theFerris wheelin Cascine (from December 8-January 15).Don’t forget the historicWeihnachtsmarkt! The German-style Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce fromNovember 18-December 17features mulled wine, typical treats like strudel, and crafts.

It’s the month that reminds us to be respectful of everyone and everything around us, including the city!