Kid’s Events for February

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Saturday, Feb. 14 & Sunday, 15 (2 pm – 6 pm): FLORENCE CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL. Piazza Ognissanti. Free admission.

Children dressed in costume will gather in the central square. A white train will offer rides along the village’s promenade.

Grandparents, parents and children are invited to the fourth annual Florence Children’s Carnival.

The carnival offers many special highlights.

In addition to live entertainment, children can enjoy games and group activities. Kiosks will serve brigidini and croccanti snacks as well as cotton candy. All masked carnival participants will receive a free gift from “The Village of Bakers.” An electric train welcomes children aboard for a fun ride through the village.

In true Florentine tradition, a colorfully dressed masked mannequin of Stenterello will burn in the central square and the ashes will be scattered in the Arno.

A Carnival character, Stenterello was created in the late 1700s by Luigi Del Buono, a Florentine actor. Stenterello’s comical humor, frank speech and expressive personality was intended to reflect and satirize the common characteristics of the Florentine people. Today, Stenterello represents the traditional mask of Florence.

Piazza Ognissanti is a 10 minute walk from the Santa Maria Novella train station, located on Borgo Ognissanti. The square overlooks the Arno’s north side near the Ponte Amerigo Vespucci.

The carnival is organized by the Borgognissanti Association in collaboration with Florence’s Department of Education. The Borgognissanti Association seeks to promote the cultural, historical and artistic legacy of the area.