Our events listing keeps you up to date on the latest and greatest in culture, music and other English-friendly entertainment. This is a selection of the best events in Florence and Tuscany this month—and beyond.
Preziosa: Florence Jewellery WeekMay 28–June 3Various venues in the Oltrarno, Florence
Florence goes glittery! Preziosa promises a week of jewel-toned celebrations to mark the 30th anniversary of Le Arti Orafe Jewellery School. Anchored in artisan spaces of the Oltrarno, Preziosa brings together major names in modern jewelry design, including Philip Sajet, Martina Dempf, and Barbara Schmidt. The lineup includes talks in English, workshops, visits to botteghe, exhibitions and more. For more information, visit artiorafe.it/en or call 055/2280131.
Secret GardenJune 5–7Villa Bardini, Florence
Kick off the month with family fun for a great cause! Secret Garden is the season’s top charity event, taking place in the storybook setting of Villa Bardini. Funds will be raised for Noi Per Voi per il Meyer Onlus, supporting the oncology department at Florence’s pediatric hospital. Events range from yoga lessons and live music to children’s activities and a hidden marketplace. Get your fill of organic food at themed aperitivi, or let the kids learn the kitchen ropes at cooking workshops. For the full program, visit secret-garden.it.
Festa della Cultura, San Giovanni BattistaJune 13–24Various venues in Florence
‘The future is now’ is the tagline for the fourth edition of this cultural festival, which highlights student artists and musicians inspired by Florence’s greatest exponents, past and present. The program will include exhibitions by Florentine artists Alessandro Vannini and Antonio Ciccone, piano concerts, mass in English at the church of Santi Apostoli and more. Celebrating the Feast Day of the city’s patron saint, the event series is organized with support from the City of Florence, and The Florentine is a media partner. For more information, visit festacultura.org.
Cap off the San Giovanni celebrations with Florence’s annual must-see fireworks show, shot from piazzale Michelangelo on the June 24 holiday. Arrive early to stake out a spot on the lungarno for the 10pm spectacle.
Calcio StoricoJune 13, 14 & 24, 5pmPiazza Santa Croce
Brace yourselves: calcio storico is back! The quintessential Florentine sport hosts its traditional Santa Croce takeover mid-month. Matches kick off with the Verdi versus Rossi on the 13, followed by the Bianchi battling the Azzurri on the 14. On June 15, the rowdy game will get a glamorous twist when select Pitti glitterati get a VIP viewing in the storied square. On June 24, as anticipation for the afternoon final builds, a procession will leave piazza Santa Maria Novella at 3.30pm, winding its way to the pitch in Santa Croce. For more information on the game, see calciostoricofiorentino.it; purchase your tickets at boxol.it.
ph. Marco Badiani Pitti UomoJune 16–19Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi, Florence
Winter came, we blinked, and Pitti season is upon us again! The trade shows and parties for the world-renowned menswear showcase are closed as custom goes, but every Florentine knows there’s no better people-watching than when the Pitti tastemakers come to town. Keep your eyes peeled for prominent figures on the fashion scene, and if you’ve got a daring outfit you’ve been too timid to don, these are the days to do it. This edition’s theme is That’s Pitticolor, so wear your best and brightest.
Lazurite
Blue MagicJune 9–October 11Silver Museum, Palazzo Pitti, Florence
‘Feeling blue’ takes on new meaning this month at the Silver Museum. La Magia del Blu shines the spotlight on lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone first exported to Europe toward the end of the Middle Ages. Famous for its bold hue, the stone was frequently ground into powder and used in the priciest pigment of many revered painters. For more information, see unannoadarte.it/mostre/lapislazzuli.
Mostra del ChiantiMay 30–June 7Various venues in Montespertoli
The black rooster is crowing as the Mostra del Chianti returns. Wine lovers will flock to the 58th edition of Montespertoli’s major showcase, but the program goes beyond wining and dining: expect parades, street performances, concerts and kid-friendly fun. Download the full program at mostradelchianti.it.
MTV AwardsJune 14, 8pmCascine Park, piazzale del Re, Florence
Now a fixture on Florence’s June calendar, the MTV Awards are back! This year, Italy’s highly anticipated music awards show will be hosted by young Lombard rapper Emis Killa. Not so invested in the winners? Put on your dancing shoes for the 11pm afterparty, also in the Cascine, featuring music from Andrea Delogu, Ema Stokholma and Pink is Punk. Follow the details and developments on mtvawards.mtv.it.
‘Tis ‘The Season’ at NYUUntil July 23Villa La Pietra & various venues in Florence
New York University is putting on an array of exciting events throughout the summer, The Season, spanning live readings, lectures, concerts, theatrical performances and exhibitions. Sure-fire highlights are the May 28–31 conference Black Portraiture[s] II: Imaging the Black Body and Re-staging Histories and its related exhibition ReSignifications, both of which explore the portrayal of the black body in Western culture and art (blackportraitures.info). Events are free, but you must RSVP to lapietra.reply@nyu.edu or by calling 055 5007212. Every Thursday, check out TF Weekly for up-to-date details on the summer lineup.
Tiziano FerroJune 23, 9.15pmArtemio Franchi Stadium, viale Manfredo Fanti 4, Florence
Card-carrying music snobs, take cover: the undisputed king of Italian pop is coming to Florence! The iconic Tiziano Ferro takes the stage for his first-ever stadium tour, celebrating the release of his greatest hits album. Warm up those vocal cords and get ready to belt out the ballads: tickets can be purchased at ticketone.it.
Festival del Viaggio June 9–13Various venues in Florence
Let this travel-themed festival take you around the globe…right here in town! This year, the tenth edition has a packed program, with rural China, Russian architecture and Palestinian pop cuisine all making an appearance on the map. Peruse photography exhibitions at Fondazione Studio Marangoni and Spazio Alfieri, catch presentations in the Sala Pegaso of Palazzo Sacrati Strozzi, the Tuscan Region headquarters, and chat with Lonely Planet editors at the Mercato Centrale. For the full program, visit festivaldelviaggio.it.
ph. Giuseppe Moscato
Summer at the BargelloUntil September Museo Nazionale del Bargello, via del Proconsolo 4, FlorenceThe courtyard of Florence’s favorite sculpture museum comes to life this summer as musicians, actors and more put on shows in the striking space. The June calendar includes Machiavelli’s La Mandragola (The Mandrake, June 16 & 21, 9.15pm) and the Italian translation of Arthur Schnitzler’s The Return of Casanova (June 3–14, 9.15pm). After the official launch of summer on June 21, start gearing up for the Florence Dance Festival, which will kick off in early July. Watch this space!For updates on events at the Bargello, visit estatealbargello.it.
