Halloween 2019 Celebrations in Florence

Superhorror will perform at the Hard Rock Cafe

Halloween 2019 in Florence brings not only movie-inspired looks but offers a wide array of attractions to get into the All Hallows Eve spirit. From costume parties to film screenings, museum exhibits and scary guided tours, here’s what Florence can do to spook up its October 31.  

The Stibbert Museum in Florence invites guests for a special Halloween guided tour “Knights in the Night.” Secret passages and ghost stories with a spectral atmosphere will be revealed for courage visitors from 7 to 9 pm. The museum was created by Frederick Stibbert (1838-1906), an English art collector and businessman born in Italy. He dedicated his entire life to gathering a collection of the most disparate genres of art with a particular focus on ancient weapons and armor. Stibbert transformed his house into a museum that nowadays is a foundation with the aim, according to Stibbert’s last will “to improve the knowledge of history for the benefit of future generations” (reservations required at biglietteria@museostibbert.it or 055.4755201; ticket price is €8).

The Uffizi Gallery will open its doors with the free admission on the darkest night of the year in memory of Anna Maria Luisa de ‘Medici. Her family pact agreement with Francesco Stefano di Lorena, newly appointed Grand Duke of Tuscany was made on October 31, 1737. The collections and cultural heritage of the Grand Dukes were bound for always staying in the city of Florence. In order to celebrate this anniversary, it will be possible to visit the Uffizi, Pitti Palace, and Boboli Gardens for free.

In the afternoon, the Sala Bianca in Palazzo Pitti will host the cellist Naomi Berrill with the concert at 4:30 pm. A portrait of the Electress Palatine through the music that accompanied her troubled life as the last heir of the Medici and a great patron of art and culture. Fascinated by the great Baroque composers such as Scarlatti, Vivaldi, and Handel, Anna Maria Luisa has always wanted to surround herself by musicians and composers, who delighted the court and could create and compose with great freedom.

Another classic way to spend Halloween in Florence is to jump on the seat in a movie theater while watching horror films. Ten hours featuring five most terrifying movies designed to make you scream will be shown at the UCI cinemas of Florence and Campi Bisenzio. From midnight they follow one after another on the big screen (31 by Rob Zombie; Tales of Halloween (2:30 am); David Robert Mitchell (4:30 am), The Green Inferno by Eli Roth (6:30 am), Zombi (8:30 am). A pass, which includes all the screenings, cost €16 and reduced to €14 for cardholders.  

Florence has prepared a special program for rock music lovers. The FLOG Auditorium will host a traditional Halloween party from 9:30 pm with double concerts. The Voodoo night will combine the funk sounds of the six French musicians, who make up the Lehmanns Brothers band and those of eight musicians, the Rumba De Bodas group, who fuse funk, ska and swing. Horror “rockoteca” with the nightmare soundtracks by dj Lucille and Dr. Lorenz will take place afterward.

The Hard Rock Cafe (Via dei Brunelleschi, 1) will become a cinema for Halloween night and offer wickedly delicious burgers and spooky shakes as a special menu at 7:30 (€ 30) and 11:30 (€ 35). Cosplay characters such as Edward Mani di Scissor, Jason, Morticia Addams or Samara will be spewing fear around tables to create an unforgettable spooky atmosphere. Visitors will have a chance to get an intricate makeup, and meet the YouTuber Victorlaszlo88, who will explain the stereotypes of horror films. The night will conclude with the Superhorror concert from 10:30 until 11:30 pm (reservations at hardrockcafe.com).

Dancing in a scary costumes with friends is also a way to spend the most frightening night of the year. For only one night only, the Tuscany Hall (Lungarno Aldo Moro) turns into a dance floor at 10 pm  for “Metempsicosi – Halloween in Florence” that puts behind the console on October 31st and respect the music artists such as Ricky Le Roy, Mario Plus, Joy Kitikonty and 00Zicky.

There are many Halloween parties in the clubs and discos of Florence. The “thrilling” version of the Nobody’s Perfect evening at Tenax with Ben Klock and Gladis (entry from € 23), while the Lattex Plus 2019 Halloween party returns to the Limonaia of Villa Strozzi with Jackmaster and Matisa (tickets for €20) .

FOR KIDS

Little ghouls and goblins will be attracted by spooktacular Halloween games, crafts and activities, distracting them from wicked behavior: participants won’t even realize that they’re also learning from the events.

At 5 pm, a reading session in English of “The Gruffalo’s Child” will take place at the Harold Acton Library of the British Institute. It is a story about the Gruffalo’s daughter who wants to find her father’s biggest fear the “big bad mouse” in the dark woods by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. After the reading, kids will make and decorate trick or treat candy bags. Afternoon tea will be served from 4:30 to 6 pm. Reservations are not required. Membership options include a day card (€ 6), a Junior card (€ 20) and a family membership (1 year €110, up to 3 family members).

The Maiano farm (Villa di Maiano, via Cave di Maiano 2, Fiesole) will welcome children for the costume party from 5 to 7 pm. The program is divided into two age groups. Kids ages three to five will prepare Halloween cookies and read scary monster stories with themed games. While children from six to nine years will walk to the Tea House with torches in their heads, read terrifying stories with sweet snacks and play games, such as the pignatta, hot potato, scary musical chairs, and special spider game. More information at Halloween at the Fattoria di Maiano.

A monstrous walk through the streets of Florence is designed for children aged six to ten years. It is a guided tour, which winds through the historic center of the city with some stops for sweets and tricks starting at 6:30 pm and lasting approximately one and a half hours. Children must be accompanied by an adult (cost: 10  per child with up to two free companions). Designed for ages between 6 and 11, children will be escorted through the building meeting witches and wizards who pop out to offer with tricks or treats.  A spot on the tour can be reserved by emailing info@trepassiperfirenze.com or calling 347.7548984.

A Halloween kid’s party will start at Nidiaci Playroom (Via Maffia) at 4 pm. Everyone, who wants to transform into a different creature can sign up for face painting at 0552382433. At 5:30 pm participants can enjoy the tradition of trick or treating in the Santo Spirito neighborhood. After a short walk, will have a Halloween party at “the Park of Fear” with a lot of thematic music and decorations (via Ardiglione 30). Time to relax and eat collected candies will start at 6:30 at monster’s stories reading session. Don’t forget to prepare the scariest costume because  the best costume will win a special prize at 7:30 pm. 

This year’s lineup of Halloween events includes the Florence Halloween Run at Parco delle Cascine, an event that appeals not only to children but also to adults. The 4 km race will turn the Cascine into a terrifying park on the evening of October 31. Themed clothes and makeup, including horror installations, will create the spookiest place to run through. Departure will take place at the Le Pavoniere swimming pool at 8 pm. (mary filatova)