Firenze

January

• On January 6 every year, the Procession of the Magi takes place. This solemn procession winds its way through the ancient streets of the city to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany. Dressed in elaborate costumes, the Magi and a procession of people walk from the Piazza Pitti to the Piazza Duomo. Inside the cathedral, the Magi offer gifts to the image of the infant Jesus and the people in the procession offer gifts to the children taking part.
  
• One of the world’s most important previews of men’s fashions, clothing and accessories, Pitti Immagine Uomo takes place in Florence twice a year, in January and June. The exhibition features approximately 700 exhibitors, over 850 collections and close to 120 fashion-related events.

February

• A four-week celebration, the Viareggio Carnival takes place every Sunday in February. People disguise themselves in amusing or historical costumes and admire the floats that cross the seafront of the Viareggio, a seaside town 45 minutes from Florence.

March

• Capodanno Fiorentino, the traditional Florentine new year, takes place annually on March 25. The celebrations include a procession from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa to the Santissima Annunziata Church.

April

• One of the most ancient traditions in Florence, the Scoppio del Carro takes place on Easter Sunday. A mechanical dove is sent sliding on a wire from the Duomo altar to a historical float positioned outside the cathedral, setting off a display of fireworks.

May

• Each May at the Fortezza da Basso, the Mostra Mercato dell'Artigianato, the most important exhibition for handmade products, is held, with exhibitors from around to the world selling their products.
• The Fiorita commemorates the death of Savonarola, the Dominican prior of San Marco, who was burned at the stake in Piazza della Signoria on May 23, 1498. Every year on this date, a mass is held in his memory and flowers (the fiorita) are laid on the spot where he died.
• Italy’s oldest music festival comes alive each year throughout May and June. Maggio Musicale Fiorentino presents contemporary and little-known operas in visually dramatic productions. Some of the world’s best-known conductors participate in this prestigious festival.

June

• On June 24, the festival of San Giovanni (John the Baptist, Florence’s patron saint) takes place in Piazzale Michelangelo with a spectacular fireworks display that reflects dramatically in the Arno River below.
• During June, three games of calcio storico Fiorentino take place in Piazza Santa Croce. A game with roots dating back to the Greeks and Romans, it is a mix of soccer and rugby. In honour of a historic game that took place in 1530, today’s players in the four participating teams (representing the four quarters of Florence) wear Renaissance costumes. Each match is preceded by a lively procession through the centre of the city, accompanied by music and flag-waving.
• Pitti Immagine Uomo, one of the world’s most important previews of men’s fashions, clothing and accessories takes place in Florence twice a year, in January and June. The exhibition features approximately 700 exhibitors, over 850 collections and close to 120 fashion-related events.

July

• Each summer in Lucca, operas are held in honour of Giacomo Puccini, who was born in Lucca, during the Puccini Festival.

August

• On August 16, the Palio dell'Assunta, a historical horseback riding competition, takes place in Piazza del Campo in Siena.

September

• On September 7, men used to come from the countryside to pay tribute to the Madonna in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. In honour of the occasion, the people of Florence would line the streets with special lanterns made with coloured paper, a candle and a little stick. Today, children maintain this tradition during Festa della Rificolona, preparing these lamps and walking along the Arno River under torchlight.

October

• The Vino Novo Festival takes place in the countryside in and around Greve and Chianti to celebrate the grape harvest and taste the new wines.

November

• In November, be sure to taste the olive oil from the recent harvest.
• The Florence marathon, an annual event for runners from all over the world, takes place in the last week of November.

December

• During the entire month of December, Christmas street markets colour Florence with gift ideas and handmade products.