| Florence
Carnival |
Held
late February-early March, Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci |
| Diladdarno |
Three-week
celebration, including music, exhibitions and street festivals,
March, Altrarno. |
| Scoppio
del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) |
A colourful procession of ox and cart, culminating in a spectacular
fireworks display when the cart and lit by a mechanical dove
which explodes at 1100 hrs, Easter Sunday (March/April), through
central Florence to Piazza del Duomo. |
| Settimani
dei Beni Culturali |
State museums throw open their doors for free during, April. |
| Festa
del Grillo (Festival of the Cricket) |
A
bizarre ancient ritual in which live crickets in hand-woven
cages are given to loved ones, Ascension Day (April/May),
Parco delle Cascine. |
| Maggio
Musicale Fiorentino (May Music Festival) |
Major
music festival with orchestra, chorus and Corps de Ballet,
second Sunday of May-early July, Teatro Communale. |
| Calcio
in Costume |
Football game in medieval dress, as part of celebrations for
the city’s patron saint, St John, 24 June, Piazza Santa
Croce. |
| Festa
di San Giovanni (St John’s Day) |
Another aspect of celebrations for the saint’s day,
involving a ceremonial procession from Palazzo Vecchio, while
there is a large fireworks display at night on Piazzale Michelangelo,
24 June, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo. |
| La
Rificolona (Festival of the Lanterns) |
This torchlight procession dating back to the days of religious
pilgrimage to celebrate the Virgin’s nativity, with
children carrying lanterns all over the city, September, throughout
the Florence. |
| Firenze
Marathon (Florenca Marathon) |
Annual city marathon and half marathon, November, from Piazzale
Michelangelo to Piazza San Croce. |
