Until December 17, 2023: CHRISTMAS MARKET. Free entry. Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. To see a video, click here. In the heart of Florence, where ancient cobbled streets echo with history, lies a magical spectacle each December—a Christmas Market in the piazza Santa Croce. The Christmas Market, or Weihnachtsmarkt, has been an annual tradition in Florence for many years. Currently, over 50 stands fill the square. Underneath the sacred [...]
While the Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women officially falls on November 25, the previous day brings two special cross-cultural events on the theme, both free and open to the public. At the same hour, a second initiative will be hosted by the Museo Novecento of 20th and 21st Century Art (piazza Santa Maria Novella). The first is at the Murate Art District (Ketty La Rocca room, piazza delle Murate, via dell’Agnolo), which [...]
The leaves are falling, the air is getting colder, and in the United States turkeys, pumpkins, and pie are in abundance. As the end of November approaches, millions prepare to celebrate one of their most beloved holidays. Since the 1600s, Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving as a time of gratitude and community. As areas such as Florence become more diverse and begin catering to their international residents, holidays and traditions such as Thanksgiving have [...]
Viva Vittoria Firenze, a volunteer-based project whose main goal is helping women who have experienced domestic violence, will take place on November 11 and 12, 2023 in Piazza Santa Croce. The 3,000 square meters of the piazza will be adorned with beautifully decorated, handmade blankets for sale on a plastic tarp. Proceeds will be donated to three non-profit associations specifically geared to providing services that are easily accessible for these women. The American [...]
Sat. 4 – Sun. 12: FESTIVAL DEI POPOLI. International Documentary Film Festival. Cinema La Compagnia (via Cavour 50/r) & Cinema Astra (piazza Beccaria). Politics and society, battles and declarations, music and the environmentAt the festival’s 64th edition, 124 films will be shown. The organizers are proud to welcome a host of special guests, including Oscar-winning actress Liv Ullmann, the photographer and director Anton Corbijn in addition to the singer Pete Doherty, directors Pedro [...]
It’s the time of year when the end of peak tourist season is near, with the arrival of the cool autumn breeze, longer evenings, and holiday festivities. Contrary to popular belief, Halloween has existed in Italy for generations with deeply-rooted traditions between the 19th and 20th centuries, such as Sardinia’s days of “Su Mortu Mortu” and “Is Animeddas” or the tradition of carved-pumpkin lanterns in the “La notte delle lumere” of Sicily and [...]
Until November 3, 2023: LOLITA VALDERAMMA SAVAGE: THE JOURNEY, LIFE IN ART THROUGH NATURE. Sala d’Arme, Palazzo Vecchio. Open daily 10 am to 6 pm. Free admission to all. A beautiful show of art, community, and diversity is currently on display at the historical Palazzo Vecchio Museum. A collaboration of efforts from Filipino, American, and Italian group representatives have come together to present the stunning works of Filipino-American artist Lolita Valderrama Savage. The [...]
As autumn’s golden hues paint the city of Florence, the 2023/2024 Amici della Musica concert season, presented by Andrea Lucchesini, stands as a mesmerizing ode to femininity in music, where soul-stirring melodies and captivating compositions take center stage. With its inaugural performance scheduled for October 14, a harmonious celebration of femininity in music unfolds, resonating with the beauty of their artistry. In total, 50 concerts are planned through April 2024. History reveals Italy’s [...]
Artemisia Gentileschi’s master painting, The Allegory of Inclination, is on view in a small-scale but fascinating exhibition, Artemisia in the Museum of Michelangelo, at Casa Buonarroti on Via Ghibellina 70 until January 8, 2024. The newly restored painting and the results of the complex conservation and study project, Artemisia UpClose, which took place from Sept 2022 to May 2023, are the main attractions of the show. The show also focuses on Artemisia’s [...]
September 23: European Heritage Days. Florence museums. This coming Saturday, residents and visitors in Florence are welcome to enjoy the offerings of ‘European Heritage Days.’ Evening hours and nearly free admission along with special initiatives are scheduled in several state run museums and other public spaces in the city. Promoted yearly by the European Council and the European Commission since 1991, this year’s theme is ‘culture and nature.’ It will attempt to encourage people to visit as [...]