Festivities & Food at the Feast of San Lorenzo 2026

 

Florence is a city that prides itself on a long history of religious celebrations–one such summer tradition is the annual Feast of San Lorenzo on August 10. The festivities take place throughout the day, culminating in a shared meal outside the patron saint’s basilica, which in fact is the city’s earliest cathedral having been consecrated in 393 AD. The celebration includes parades, church events, a free dinner for all comers and live music.

At the Basilica of San Lorenzo, Holy Mass will be held from 8 to 9 am. Following at 10:30 am, will be the reception of the votive candles offered by the municipality. Then at 11 am the Eucharist concelebration will take place presided over by Archbishop Mons. Gherardo Gambelli. Evening prayer is scheduled for 5:30 pm after which a second Holy Mass will be held at 7 pm. 

From extended museum hours to meteor showers, Florence has plenty in store for visitors and residents to enjoy on the special day.

Kicking off the celebration will be a procession of the Corteo Storico della Repubblica Fiorentina (Historical Parade of the Florentine Republic). Their march to the Basilica of San Lorenzo will begin at 10:15 am in Piazza di Parte Guelfa. Ten minutes later they will arrive in front of the steps of Palazzo Vecchio to be joined by the Famiglia del Palazzo group in Renaissance garb who carry the Gonfalone di Firenze, the city’s official banner paraded during civic events. Together they will complete the route to the basilica in time for the ceremonial candle offering followed by Holy Mass.

In honor of San Lorenzo, Palazzo Medici Riccardi Museum will have extended visitation hours from 9 am to 10 pm, with final admission time ending at 9 pm. Standard admission is €15, however, for residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence, entrance to the museum will be free from 6 to 9 pm. 

Visitors are in for a treat as Palazzo Medici Riccardi houses the Chapel of the Magi, the Hall of Mirrors, the Archaeological Trail, and the Marble Museum. Also accessible is Firenze Deco, Atmospheres of the 1920s, an exhibition on the history of Art Deco in Europe which ends on August 25, 2026. 

Along with Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Medici Chapels of the San Lorenzo Basilica will also have special evening hours. From 7:15 to 11 pm, guests can visit the ornate, marble chambers adorned with funerary sculptures  by Michelangelo under the patronage of Cosimo Il Vecchio. Ticket prices will be the same as usual: €11 for adults, €2 for EU youth aged 18 to 25, and free for those under 18. 

The celebration of San Lorenzo will conclude with a public feast outside the Basilica (fitting as he is also the patron saint of cooks). Starting at 9 pm, locals and tourists can partake in a delicious meal, free of charge, of penne al ragù (penne pasta with meat sauce) yogurt and watermelon. The outdoor meal will be accompanied by live music and entertainment in the piazza. 

This communal event also coincides serendipitously with the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. The natural phenomenon is often referred to by Italians as “the tears of San Lorenzo,” symbolizing the burning coals on which the patron saint was martyred. 

For best seats to the shooting star show we recommend strolling down the Lungarno to the footbridge of the Passerella dell’Isolotto or up to the panoramic terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo. For even better visibility, one could venture outside the city to the scenic hilltops of Fiesole.

Just outside the city center, the Love Orticoltura park (via Vittoria Emanuele II, 4) is hosting a evening of live music performed by pianist Alessia Masi starting at 8 pm.

If you’re in town on August 10, this is a celebration not to miss.  (Francesca Negri)