New Year’s Day Events in Florence 2026

 

The Fiesole Music School orchestras on stage at the Teatro del Maggio

Landmarks and museums will be closed in Florence today with the exception of the special opening of the Boboli Gardens from 10 am to 4:30 pm (last entrance at 3:30 pm) and the Medici Chapels, accessible from 11:15 am to 6:50 pm.  Additionally, several city museums will welcome visitors: Palazzo Vecchio (2 – 7 pm) and Arnolfo’s Tower (2 to 5 pm) as well as the Santa Maria Novella complex (1 – 5 pm).

NEW YEAR’S CONCERTS

Morning

FIESOLE MUSIC SCHOOL ENSEMBLES: Orchestra dei Ragazzi, Orchestra Galilei and Orchestra Giovanile Italiana. Teatro del Maggio, piazzale Vittorio Gui.  11 am. Free admission.

The Orchestra dei Ragazzi conducted by Antonino Siringo will present a work by Charles Gounod; the group will be joined by the Orchestra Galilei to perform Suite for Variety Orchestra by Shostakovich.  The Orchestra Galilei and the Italian Youth Orchestra (Orchestra Giovanile Italiana) will be playing a selection of well-known pieces by Richard Strauss and Maurice Ravel in addition to movie soundtracks, from the “Red Pony Suite” by Aaron Copeland to  “La Passerella di Addio” by Nino Rota for 8 1/2, a Fellini masterpiece.  Also on the program are compositions by Edward Elgar, and Johann Strauss II.

Afternoon

ORCHESTRA DELLA TOSCANA conducted by Diego Ceretta will interpret music of Vincenzo Bellini, Richard Wagner, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini and Giuseppe Verdi. Teatro Verdi, via Ghibellina 99. 5 pm.

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