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Events in Florence
Annual Events in Florence, Italy
Among the many museums, exhibits and festivals that are open annually in Florence, here is a short list of special events that take place each year. The Scoppio del Carro and the Calcio Storico are probably the two most important and charateristic events that Florence has to offer. Both events personify and bring to life the Renaissance history and atmosphere for which Florence is so famous.
January
La Cavalcata dei Re Magi – The Ride of the Three Kings
January 6 -Historic Center in Florence
Spring
Lo Scoppio del Carro -The Burst of the Carriage
Easter
Each Easter Sunday a carriage is drawn to Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, by four oxen. Just before noon, a rocket is shot from the top of the Cathedral directed towards the carriage in order to set off the fireworks.
May
Public Opening of the Rose and Iris Garden
La Fiorita – for Girolamo Savonarola
A Mass is celebrated for the infamous Friar and then in the beautiful Piazza della Signoria, flowers are spread around the pyre where Savonarola was burnt.
June
Calcio Storico – Historical Soccer Game
During the month of June, in Piazza Santa Croce, more than 500 actors and soccer players dressed in traditional Renaissance costumes meet to play three intense soccer matches under the summer sun. For three days four different “squadre” or city teams represent four different city neighborhoods on the sand-filled Piazza.
San Giovanni – Saint John, the Patron Saint of Florence
On June 24th, Florence celebrates its patron saint, San Giovanni by a candlelit procession ending in a spectacular fireworks display from Piazziale Michelangelo.
August
La Festa del Grillo – The Cricket’s Festival
Acension Day – August 15
Cascine Park
Each year a lively market takes place in the Cascine Park where sellers offer their wares in brightly decorated cages. Tradition has it that men would buy the creatures and decorate their loved one’s doors and windows with flowers in addition to giving them a cricket in the brightly colored cage.
September
La Festa Rificolona – September 7
This annual children’s festival celebrates the lantern carrying tradition in Florence. Groups of children parade around Florence with “rificolone” or lanterns on sticks.
Shopping Neighborhoods
See also Dan Hostetler's Event Data Base for events in Italy
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On
2011/12/09
John Brade said:
cooking class
I took the Cooking Class and Market tour (in San Lorenzo Market). It was awesome! The market had the most incredible fresh ingredients, and the most amazing seafood selection I have ever seen. The cooking class was extremely professional, and the lunch afterwards was great! I recommend this class for anyone.Mark
On
2011/12/07
Aurelija Dugnaite said:
A truly life changing experience
Absolutely amazing.Words can hardly express how much we enjoyed our experience with ArtViva! From the minute we stepped in their lovely office, we felt attended, looked after and taken care of. The friendly staff advised us in detail of what would suit our tastes and knowledge best, and as they have so many beautiful tours to choose from, that help was very appreciated. Florence's cultural richness can be overwhelming, but relying on ArtViva made everything easy and utterly enjoyable for us.The small group walking tour of Florence exceeded all expectations. Our guide Paul was tremedous: a true Florence insider, with amazing knowledge of arts and culture, engaging story telling and great local tips you won't find in a guide book. The memories of the tour will stay with me and my sister for many many years. Booking with ArtViva is the best single thing you could do to have the ultimate Florence experience.Thank you, ArtViva.
On
2011/11/29
Sepideh Emami said:
On
2011/11/24
Eddi Frantz said:
Friendly and Knowledgable.
An essential part of visiting such an historical city as Florence is a smart, knowledgeable tour guide. Artvivas guides are fun, friendly and really know their stuff. Plus they know all those great places not on most guidebooks that only a passionate local world know. Dont even contemplate a visit to the Uffizi or Michaelangelos David without one!
On
2011/11/24
Kathleen Marriott said:
Hightlight of Italian Trip
Thanks so much for the great walking tour we did in Florence in May. It was fun, informative and we were treated like VIPS! The guide made us feel welcome and got to know exactly what we were interested in seeing to make sure all was covered. If we had tried to do everything we did on the tour on our own, we would have spent days getting hopelessly lost! I highly recommend this tour if you are interested in the art, architecture, history and the culture of Florence.
On
2011/11/22
Caroline Beck said:
Feels like you have hired a first-class guide from a first-class outfit – at a fraction of the price.
If you are the type to shy away from “packaged” tours, preferring to go it alone in a brand new city, Art Viva might just be your new BFF (best friend forever) when on tour in Florence. Comfortably small groups - instead of large crowds moving en-masse. Personalized insights by well-educated guides – instead of canned presentations. ArtViva’s walking tours are the next best thing to hiring a private art historian to walk you around this fabulous city – at a fraction of the price. Their 3-hour walking introduction to Florence’s history and a follow-up tour of the Uffizi dispelled all my preconceptions that tour groups were not for me. Even if you’ve been to Florence before, start your vacation off right in 3 quick hours. It will set the stage for a perfect stay.
On
2011/11/22
Brigitte Reynolds said:
Incredible!
My husband and I had the good fortune of taking ArtViva tours of Florence while on our honeymoon. We started with the walking tour, followed by the David tour. We were so impressed we immediately signed up for the Uffizi tour the next day. The guides we had (Sasha/Sylvia & Brenda) were all amazing; they were incredibly knowledgable, friendly and spoke perfect English. What was best was their genuine enthusiam and love of the arts and history of Florence; their excitment was contagious and inspired us to want to know and learn more! I couldn't have asked for a better experience.Brigitte Reynolds
On
2011/11/22
Nadia LaMantia said:
a wonderful experience!
I loved my tour, and the artviva staff were so great and extremely helpful!!
On
2011/11/16
Jade Farley said:
GREAT Tours!
Best tours I have ever been on! The guide's knowledge was just incredible, and I can't wait to come back to do more tours.
On
2011/11/09
Alexandra Buscaino said:
Educational and entertaining!
Our tour was great - very informative, and the guide just fabulous! He not only knew so much about the history, but also had a knack for storytelling that kept us all fascinated.
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