A wintery vibe in the city of the Renaissance can be found at the Florence Ice Village, open daily until January 31 from 10 to midnight on the grounds of the Fortezza da Basso. The holiday pop-up also showcases a Christmas Village open through January 6 (open 3 – 8 pm on weekdays, 10 am – 8 pm on weekends and holidays) with its diverse selection of street food and entertainment shows [...]
Today is a legal holiday in Italy; museums, however, will be open with a holiday gift: the Basilica of Santa Croce is accessible with free entrance from 12:30 to 5:45 pm. Guests now have the chance to enjoy the beauty and history of Santa Croce, a Franciscan basilica in the Gothic style, at no charge. The church contains landmark frescoes painted by Giotto in the 14th century, depicting scenes from the life of [...]
Here is a complete guide to liturgy in English during the holidays in Florence. St. James American Church (Episcopal), via Rucellai 9 Christmas Eve will be ushered in with a children’s Christmas pageant and Parish Eucharist at 6 pm with choir, organ and brass accompaniment. This will be followed at 11 pm by Midnight Mass with hymns. On December 25 Christmas Mass with hymns will be held at 10 am. More information can [...]
To support children raised in economically disadvantaged conditions, the Associazione Borgognissanti and the Fondazione Solidarietà Caritas ETS Firenze have organized their traditional Christmas concert featuring the Light Gospel Choir of Florence on December 19. The goal is to merge the Christmas spirit and music with solidarity for vulnerable minors. The program will comprise a selection of gospel music and spirituals. You can make a donation of your choice and all the money collected [...]
Saturday, December 14: CHILDREN’S LENDING LIBRARY CHRISTMAS PARTY. St. James Episcopal Church, via Rucellai 9. 4 – 6 pm. Free entrance for library members, non-members pay €5. The undercroft of the church will host crafts, games and other holiday activities, a visit from Santa and a songfest of Christmas carols. Festivities will continue with a bake sale; toys and books for purchase will be displayed. The best-known reading center for bilingual kids [...]
Fri. 5 – Wed. 10: “RIVER TO RIVER” FLORENCE INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL. Cinema La Compagnia, Via Cavour 50/r. All films are screened in their original language with subtitles in English or Italian. Cinema La Compagnia is preparing to immerse itself once again into the stories, voices and culture of India, as the River to River Florence Indian Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, as part of the “50 days of Cinema” programme. As [...]
Sun. 30: FIRENZE MARATHON. Starts and ends in Piazza Duomo. 8:30 am. While participation is sold out, the public can watch the marathon on a route will pass by centuries of art, history and culture here in Florence. Firenze Marathon itself is 42.195 kilometers (26 mi).Expect to see the fastest runner receive their awards around 11:15 am in Piazza Duomo, while the last participants are expected to arrive at 2:30 pm. The event [...]
Violin virtuoso Dmitry Sitkovetsky created an original string trio arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations in the 1980s, and this modern classic will be performed at Teatro della Pergola on Saturday, November 22 at 4 pm. Originally composed for the keyboard, this version will be interpreted by guest artists Julian Rachlin (violin), Sarah McElravy (viola) and Boris Andrianov (cello). The concert is organized by Florence’s Amici della Musica (Friends of Music) chamber music organization. Born [...]
November 12 – 16, 2025. LO SCHERMO DELL’ARTE, Cinema & Contemporary Art Festival. Talks and screenings take place from 10 am to 11 pm. Tickets: €6 for afternoons or evenings, €10 day pass, or €35 for a season ticket. Venues: Cinema La Compagnia, Palazzo Strozzi, NYU Florence, Institut Français Firenze, Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz, Max-Planck-Institut, Palazzo Grifoni Budini Gattai, Palazzo Gucci. Free admission for under-30s. Specific times of screenings and programs are available [...]
Thomas Harding will present his new book, The Einstein Vendetta, at the Harold Acton Library of the British Institute of Florence, via Guicciardini 9 on Monday, November 10 at 6:30 pm. Admission: €10. Italy, August 1944. A unit of German soldiers arrives at a villa near Florence. Villa Il Focardo is home to Robert Einstein, cousin to the most famous scientist in the world, Albert Einstein – a prominent enemy of the Nazi [...]