Discovering Santa Croce: The Free Performances of ‘Genius Loci’ 2023

“Genuis Loci: Discovering Santa Croce” returns for its sixth year on September 28 through September 30. Consisting of two night and one dawn of performances in one of Florence’s most historical and spiritual places, this year the festival takes a look at theme of hospitality, focusing on the importance of welcoming and being welcomed in a foreign place. Consisting of concerts and talks that interact with the spirit of Santa Croce, “Genius Loci” [...]

Florence’s 2024 ‘Corri La Vita’ Cancer Benefit Event

Sunday, Sept. 24:  CORRI LA VITA (Run for Life) walk and run. Start at Viale Lincoln, Cascine Park.  9:15 am. Since its inception in 2003, CORRI LA VITA has been a remarkable non-competitive sports event dedicated to raising funds for projects focused on breast cancer treatment, with a specific focus on prevention, reducing waiting lists, and providing psychological support to affected women. The annual event has made a significant impact in the fight [...]

A Look Through Florence’s Wine Windows at a Current Show

Until September 16: LE BUCHETTE DEL VINO IN MOSTRA. Palagio di Parte Guelfa – Sala Brunelleschi. Open daily 10 am to 6 pm. Free admission. From allowing social distancing during the bubonic plague, to permitting the sale of wine without tax, to even helping people get food during the pandemic, wine windows, or buchette del vino, have enjoyed a varied history in Tuscany.  Invented as a safe means of vending wine, they are [...]

Florence’s European Day of Jewish Culture 2023

Sun. 10: EUROPEAN DAY OF JEWISH CULTURE. Synagogue, via Farini 6, Florence. 10:30 am – 7 pm. Florence’s European Day of Jewish Culture, with free admission, offers events that will allow visitors to learn more about the history and the modern life of the Jewish community, examining the theme of beauty in Hebrew art, theater, music, literature and as part of the legacy of Jewish antique dealers and collectors.  The rich program includes [...]

Florence’s Tower, Fortresses & Medieval Gates Tours

The towers, fortresses and medieval gates that populate Florence’s historical cityscape welcome visitors to explore the landmarks during the summer months.  Visitors will deepen their understanding of Florence by the tours. The wide array of locations vary in historical significance, size and role today, allowing guests to view the city’s history and historic buildings from a new perspective. The Porta Romana borders the Giardino di Boboli, south of the city center. The gate [...]

Summer Nights, Movies with a View at Villa Bardini

  The fourth edition of the outdoor cinema series, “Cinema in Villa” runs through Sunday, Aug. 27 at 9:15 pm. every night. The lineup includes Italian and English titles that appeal to a wide audience. Tickets are €5 and can be purchased at the Villa Bardini or in advance on www.villabardini.it or www.cinemainvilla.it. More information about the screenings is available online at  and over the phone at 393 8570925 from 6-10 p.m. The [...]

‘Barbie’ in Florence: A Film that Explores Girlhood, Womanhood and Social Roles

  Greta Gerwig’s new film “Barbie” is this summer’s hit. Cinema Astra Florence (piazza Beccaria 9) is offering the “Barbie World” to Florence with their interactive, community-oriented screening experience.  The 114-minute movie was released on Friday, July 21. Cinema Astra Florence will show the film in its original English version with Italian subtitles daily through August 30 except for August 22. Tickets are €6. Showing times vary.  To capture the spirit of nostaglia, [...]

2023 Ferragosto Festivities in Florence

AT SAN SALVI WITH RICCARDO TESI AND BANDITALIANA IN CONCERT San Salvi Park, via San Salvi 12 The Chille de la Balanza theater company invites residents and visitors to San Salvi on Ferragosto: the cool outdoor green space will host the annual August 15 concert by Riccardo Tesi and Banditaliana (9:45 pm; admission €15, reservations recommended via Whatsapp 335 6270739 or sending an email to info@chille.it).  San Salvi may be reached by public [...]

Florence’s Feast of San Lorenzo Festivities 2023 with Free Museum Admission

Florence’s San Lorenzo church, up the street from the Cathedral (Duomo), located in a characteristic Florentine neighborhood near the Mercato Centrale, will celebrate its namesake, St. Lawrence on his feast day, August 10. The Feast of San Lorenzo has its civic and religious aspects.  At 10 am, a historic pageant of city residents in Renaissance costume will meet from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa, and walk down via Porta Rossa, Via Calzaiuoli, Piazza [...]

Final Free Movies in English at the 2023 ‘Apriti Cinema’

Until August 7: APRITI CINEMA. Free movies in English or with English subtitles. Uffizi Gallery Courtyard. 9:45 pm. The Apriti Cinema Festival, also known as the Open Cinema Festival, hosts a film under the stars every night at 9:45 pm through August 7. The festival invites special guests, the public and different cultures to the courtyard to enjoy the international films.  The festival is free to all attendees, but with limited availability each [...]