Expert recommendations of the top events—with tips on how to best experience these celebrations.
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Calcio Storico
June 24. Held to mark the feast day of St. John the Baptist, Florence’s patron saint. Involves a three-match soccer tournament played between vast teams drawn from four city districts. Participants dress in medieval costumes. There is also a fireworks display in Piazzale Michelangelo.
Estate Fiesolana
June to September. Major arts festival held in and around Fiesole, five miles (eight kilometers) from the city center. www.estatefiesolana.it
Festa delle Rificolone/“The Rificolona”
September 7. Celebrates the birthday of the Virgin. Children walk in a procession to Piazza Santissima Annunziata carrying colored paper lanterns and lighted candles. A procession of floats and street parties follow.
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Late April to late July. Italy’s oldest and most prestigious festival of classical music. Held in a variety of venues. Local and international performers. www.maggiofiorentino.com
Scoppio del Carro
Easter Sunday. A carro (cart) full of fireworks is hauled through the streets to the Duomo. There, during noonday mass, a mechanical “dove” runs down a wire from the high altar and ignites the fireworks.
