Mardi Gras Merriment in Florence, 2026

 

Mardi Gras,known as Martedi Grasso in Italian, is the last night of Carnival filled with good times the day before Ash Wednesday, which signals the start of Lent.  In Florence it will be celebrated with a party at Otel, and the Orchestra della Toscana’s traditional Carnival concert, while in nearby Prato (a 15 minute train ride away), a country club is the designated local Mardi Gras venue.

The public is invited to come as costumed historical figures to Otel, via Generale Dalla Chiesa 9 in the Bellariva neighborhood at 8 pm to dance the night away.  The Le Pavoniere Golf Club, via Traversa il Crocifisso in Prato is hosting a Masquerade Party beginning at 8:30 pm, with a buffet dinner, an open bar and a DJ set at price of €30.  A prize will be awarded for the best costume.  For information call 328 6237153 or 347 4681965.

On Mardi Gras, Florence will be filled with costumed revelers.  For a quieter, but fun evening, head to Teatro Verdi (via Ghibellina 99) for the Carnival Reloaded concert at 9 pm featuring the Orchestra della Toscana conducted by Roberto Molinelli.  The latter is also a composer and violist, whose work bridges and connects classical music, pop, jazz and rock.  Displaying his creativity, the pieces on Tuesday’s evening program undergo a transformation.  Thanks to his re-interpretation of the compositions, the concert hall will be filled with vibrancy.

The performance will open with From Tango to Opera Suite to lively sounds of milonga, samba and of course, tango, dance rhythms that are interlaced for the occasion.  Next is a reworking of a Paganini composition to produce Caprice 24 goes to Rio, followed by Brazilian Medley.  This will be followed by a piece incorporating dance music composed by Molinelli, Milonga y Chacarera.  The grand finale consists of works by Vivaldi and Piazzola, ending with the Astor Tango Suite, in addition to Disco Samba by Two Man Sound.