Florence’s ‘Festa della Repubblica’ Republic Day Festivities 2026

The ‘Frecce Tricolore’ squad bringing the colors of the Italian flag to the sky above Florence

A legal holiday, June 2 marks the date of the 1946 referendum when Italian men (and the first time: women) voted to abolish the nation’s monarchy and establish a republic as the nation’s government.  The day in Florence begins with a flag-raising ceremony, at 10 am, in Piazza della Repubblica, in the presence of civil and military authorities. This will be followed by an official ceremony in Piazza della Signoria, in front of Palazzo Vecchio, city hall.  Piazza Signoria will also host a free open-air screening of Paola Cortellesi’s award-winning movie “C’è ancora domani,” (There’s Always Tomorrow) at 6 pm.  The final event of the day, always in Piazza Signoria, is the free showing of the special program “I Volti della Repubblica” (Faces of the Republic: The Referendum 60 Years Later) starting at 8.45 pm.

The holiday brings also brings free admission at state-run museums.  The galleries comprise: Uffizi Gallery (8:15 am – 6:30 pm); Palazzo Pitti complex (8:15 am – 6:50 pm); Boboli Gardens (8:15 am – 7:10 pm); Galleria dell’Accademia (8:15 am – 6:50 pm); Bargello Museum (8:15 am – 6:50 pm); and the National Archaeological Museum of Florence (8:30 am – 2 pm).