The beauty of Florence alone is reason enough for you to choose our city as your next destination. But it can get even better! We have prepared a list of 8 events not to miss in Florence in 2023. Choose yours!

1- Carnival

As in most cities in the world, here we also celebrate Carnival in February. The Florentine party is the oldest in Italy and features masked revelers, allegorical cars, lots of dancing and music. Speaking of tradition, we cannot forget the Cenci di Carnevale, a typical sweet that makes this date even more delicious.

2- Valentine’s Day

Also in February, on the 14^th, the city celebrates love. How about spending the Valentine’s Day with your better half for a Flute of Champagne on our Roof Top Bar? It will definitely be an unforgettable event.

3- Florentine New Year

The Florentine New Year is celebrated on March 25th. How come? While the other Italian and European cities were already using the Gregorian Calendar – started on January 1st – since 1582, Florence assumed March 25th as the beginning of the civil calendar until 1750. It only changed with the decree of the Grand Duke Francesco Stefano di Lorena, in order to standardize the registrations in public records and for commercial uses.

The festivities include a fair in Piazza Santissima Annunziata and the famous Procession of the Florentine Republic.

4- Scoppio del Carro

This is certainly one of the most peculiar events in our Florence. On Easter Sunday, in Piazza del Duomo, an elaborate cart built in 1622 and two to three stories high is hit by a rocket in the shape of a dove, which symbolizes the Holy Spirit, whose impact triggers the Scoppio del Carro, or the “explosion of the cart”. The tradition dates back almost 400 years and continues to delight residents and tourists nowadays.

5- The Feast of St. John

The 24th of June is a very special day in Florence: the celebration of the feast of St. John, the patron of the city. From the sunrise till the late night, there are cultural and folkloric events that are not only beautiful, but full of history as well.

Among all the celebrations of the feast of St. John, the fireworks – or Fochi di San Giovanni, as called by Florentines – are, no doubt, the most impressive. Sometime between 10 and 11 pm, the spectacular show starts from Piazzale Michelangelo and can be seen from many places around the city.

But one of the most privileged views of this wonderful spectacle of lights is our terraces. Up there, you will watch the fireworks in the company of the the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore, the hills of Fiesole and Settignano, the Arno River, the Santa Trinita Bridge and Via Maggio, the church of San Miniato a Monte, Forte Belvedere designed by Buontalenti, the hill of Bellosguardo, Palazzo Vecchio and the bell tower of Santa Trinita. The best way of closing such a special day.

6- Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Also on June 24, a mix of soccer, rugby and wrestling, with 27 players each side, fighting for victory takes place at the final game of Calcio Storico Fiorentino. The day when Florence celebrates its patron St. John, Piazza Santa Croce becomes the field of this battle, whose tradition, strength, and pride were not erased by modern times.

The event starts before the game, around 4 pm, when a multicolored parade, composed of more than 500 figures, leaves Piazza Santa Maria Novella and leads its way through the city center to arrive in Piazza Santa Croce. When the game begins, the 54 “calcianti” (27 on each side) united in team spirit fight together for victory.

7- The Rificolona

It is the celebration of the birth of the Virgen Mary. According to the tradition, she was born on September 8^th, but Florence celebrates her arrival to this world the day before, September 7^th, with a great party, called Festa della Rificolona.

The Florentines cross the town on foot carrying paper lanterns, lit from inside with candles. The main “pilgrimage” begins in Piazza Santa Croce around 8 pm, crosses Piazza della Signoria, Piazza del Duomo and Via dei Servi, and ends in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata.

At the Tower, we usually organize an aperitif in our Rooftop Bar, when, other than eat, drink, and enjoy the amazing view of Florence, you can participate of a tour in town with a local guide and be part of the residents’ celebration.

8- The Carro Matto

The arrival of the Carro Matto – or crazy cart – at the end of September, is a tradition that celebrates the grape harvest and blessing the new wine. Such as the Calcio Storico and the Feast of St. John, the Carro Matto is a Renaissance celebration that replicates the carts that in the fifteenth century already brought wine from the nearby city Rufina, in the countryside of Pontassieve, to bless the Bishop of the city and then to present it to the Signoria. In other words, it is not only a celebration of the Tuscan tradition of winemaking, but also a reconstruction of the arriving of the wine in town.

The arrival of the Carro Matto from Chianti Rufina starts around 3.30 pm of the last Saturday of September, leaving the Piazza del Duomo to the Palagio di Parte Guelfa and, then, heading back to the Duomo for the traditional blessing. From there, the cart continues its way to Via Calzaiuoli to end in Piazza della Signoria around 5 pm. That’s where the corteo storico presents itself, a parade in historical costume, drums, flag throwers and even a cannon!