The March 25 Florence New Year Celebrations 2022

A 2019 street art mural by #LE

Everyone in Florence is made aware that it is Florentine New Year on March 25 also thanks to an afternoon historical parade filling the streets with elaborate Renaissance dress and music that begins in the Piazzetta della Parte Guelfa, near Piazza Repubblica that unfolds in the streets of the city before reaching Piazza Santissima Annunziata.

From 1250 to 1750 the people of Florence gathered in piazza SS Annunziata to welcome the arrival of spring and to officially celebrate the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she would be the mother of Christ.  This year, the traditional mass in the basilica of the Santissima Annunziata (the basilica of the Holy Annunciation) will be held at 5:30 pm.  Directly following, Florence’s Cardinal, Giuseppe Betori, will lead a ceremony in the basilica consecrating world’s heart, especially those in the Ukraine and Russia, to heart of the Virgin Mary, at 6:30 pm.

Legend says the artist commissioned to paint the Annunciation fell asleep after completing all but the face of the Virgin Mary.  Upon his awakening, he found a completed, beautiful blonde Madonna—angelic masters had finished the fresco.  Florentines have communed on March 25 in the presence of this holy image for centuries.

The Florentines were so devoted to the Madonna that for 168 years, until 1750, they refused to accept the Gregorian calendar year that begins on January 1.  Their devotion remains a part of their culture, so New Year is still unofficially observed on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, exactly nine months before Christmas and the birth of Christ

Florentine New Year is an official holiday in the municipality of Florence. Festivities include a pageant, tours, music, a market and more. Throughout the week, there are many events and initiatives including culture, music, (museum) exhibitions and markets in Florence.

CALENDAR

March 25

EXHIBITIONS / MARKET

ARTS AND HANDCRAFTS market. Piazza Santa Maria Novella. 9:30 am – 7:30 pm.

GUIDED VISIT OF THE CASCINE PARK.  3 pm.  Reserve by sending an email to antonella_bulgarini@virgilio.it.

THE SECRETS OF PIAZZA DUOMO, told by Luciano Artusi. Piazza del Duomo, meeting point between the Baptistery and the Duomo main entrance. 3 pm.

STREET FOOD. Presentation of a lampredotto itinerary in Florence. Torrino Santa Rosa, Lungarno di Santa Rosa, 2. 7:30 pm.

MUSIC PERFORMANCE. Alessandro Giobbi and the Starlings, by Ass. Cult. Bang & Black candy. Torrino Santa Rosa, Lungarno di Santa Rosa, 2. 9 pm. 

TOURS/PARADES

HISTORICAL & UNUSUAL FLORENCE SHOPS tour. Reservations via capodannofiorentinoinpiazza@gmail.com. 3:30 pm.

HISTORICAL PARADE departing from the Parte Guelfa Palace (Palagio di Parte Guelfa) and ending at the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata. 4 pm.

March 26

TOURS

“UNUSUAL FLORENCE” tour. From San Lorenzo to Sant’ Ambrogio: Florence as the capital city of Italy and changes in its urban layout. Reservations via capodannofiorentinoinpiazza@gmail.com. 10 am.

HISTORICAL & UNUSUAL FLORENCE SHOPS tour. Reservations via capodannofiorentinoinpiazza@gmail.com. 3:30 pm.

EXHIBITIONS/MARKETS

ARTS AND HANDCRAFTS market. Piazza Santa Maria Novella. 9:30 am – 7:30 pm.  (ted de veer)

More information and a more detailed schedule available at https://cultura.comune.fi.it/dalle-redazioni/capodanno-fiorentino-2022