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 on offer.
SUMMER/Estate Fiorentina
All summer, various places in Florence
It’s fun, fun, fun in Florence this summer! Contemporary dance, live concerts, open air cinema, international artists, children’s shows and more in various locations around Florence including Villa Strozzi and the Bargello Museum, as well as gardens and piazzas in the city. Find out more at www.firenzestate.it.
PHOTO/Henri Cartier-Bresson
Until November 3
Lu.C.C.A. (Lucca Center of Contemporary Art), Lucca
Discover the life and fabulous photography of Cartier-Bresson, the French photographer considered to be the father of modern photojournalism. His personal, candid and absolutely unique photos capture moments in history and were the beginnings of street photography. Visit www.luccamuseum.com for more.
EAT/Festa del Mugello
Until August 10
ObiHall Theatre, Lungarno Aldo Moro, Florence
Enjoy the tastes of the Mugello without ever leaving Florence, at this daily summer BBQ at the Obihall. Every evening from 7pm, the outdoor area will come alive with games and magicians for children, tango, live music, sports matches on a giant screen and a full range of traditional food from the Mugello. See www.festadelmugello.com.
OUTING/Archaeology
July 13, 14, 20 and 21
Archaeological sites in the Maremma
A unique opportunity to participate in the history of Tuscany and discover the beautiful Maremma area. The four days, organised by Prato’s PIN university as part of the Notti dell’Archeologia initiative, take place in different archaeological sites in the region and combine historical processions with guided archaeological tours, Etruscan dinners and theatre shows (in Italian). More at http://tinyurl.com/pv2yy2z.
BAROQUE/Diaphanous Passions
July 16-November 3
Silver Museum, Palazzo Pitti, Florence
One of the greatest collections of carved ivory in Europe, started by Ferdinando I de’ Medici, is the leading attraction in this exhibit of over 150 Baroque ivory sculptures, which also features works from leading foreign museums and those from private collections which have never before been shown to the public. For more, see www.unannoadarte.it.
STREET ART/Mercantia
July 17-21
Throughout the centre of Certaldo
The town of Certaldo comes alive every July during this colourful and exciting festival of street theatre and art. From fire dancers to silent theatre, walking bands to secret gardens, puppeteers to magicians, Mercantina never fails to astound. For details, see www.mercantiacertaldo.it.
BENIGNI/Tutto Dante
July 20-August 6
Piazza Santa Croce, Florence
The world famous Tuscan actor and comedian is back for nine evenings of poetry and comedy in piazza Santa Croce. Over the course of the evenings, Roberto Benigni will present 12 canti from Inferno, as well as satirical sketches of current events and recent history (in Italian). See www.tuttodante.it.
STARS & WINE/Calici di Stelle
August 10
Wineries and piazzas in Tuscany
Every year in August, San Lorenzo’s tears (or, to be more prosaic, the Perseid meteor shower), light up the sky. Take the opportunity to watch them with a glass of Tuscan wine in your hand at many wineries and piazzas across the region, which are also offering music, telescope viewings, fireworks and more. See www.movimentoturismovino.it.
TOWER/San Niccolò
Until September 30
San Niccolò tower, Florence
Admire views over the city of Florence from the historic tower of San Niccolò: guided tours in Italian and English will be running all summer. The fourteenth century tower was the south-eastern defence point of the city for centuries, and tours allow you to not only take in the view but to travel back in time to the days of crossbows and inter-city wars. See www.musefirenze.it for details and to book a tour.
TUNES/Summer Music Festivals
All summer
Around Tuscany
Tuscany is alive with music festivals, including many big international names. Highlights include 77 Bombay Street in Arezzo (July 14), The Killers in Lucca (July 17), Patti Smith in Prato (July 26) and Marco Mengoni in Castagneto Carducci, Livorno (August 13). See http://tinyurl.com/pdr2byy for more information.
HOLIDAY/Ferragosto
August 15
Throughout Italy
Florence will be nearly void of Italians on this national holiday, with shops and restaurants shut as everyone heads to the seaside or mountain retreats. Previously a religious holiday, celebrating Mary’s Assumption into Heaven, it now tends to be just an excuse to escape muggy cities and relax under the summer sun.
RACE/Siena’s Palio
August 16
Piazza del Campo, Siena
This famous historic horse race pits the city’s contrade against each other each year as horses race at breakneck speed along a dirt track round the beautiful piazza del Campo, in a dangerous but centuries-old tradition. Those willing to brave the August sun can head to the square early in the day to get a standing spot in the centre. See www.ilpalio.org for info.
MUSIC/Incontri in Terra Di Siena
July 19–28
La Foce, Siena
A summer’s evening in Tuscany really doesn’t come any better than this: a series of open air concerts in the beautiful Villa La Foce, the nearby Castelluccio castle and neighbouring historic Tuscan towns. The 25th edition of this festival is pulling out all the stops, as classical music meets dance, multimedia projections, food and wine; go to www.itslafoce.org for more.
ART & SCIENCE/Chianti Star Festival
Until August 11
Palazzo Malaspina, San Donato in Poggio
Science and art unite in this celebration of the Chianti area and dissemination of scientific culture. Meet OpenLab professors and researchers dedicated to the relationship between art and science, see an international contemporary art exhibit, listen to live music and take part in astronomical observations and wine tastings. Find out more at http://eng.chiantistarfestival.com.
FREE/Open-air cinema
Until August 4
Piazza SS. Annunziata, Florence
Enjoy free cinema under the night sky in one of Florence most beautiful piazzas. The majority of films are in English, which cover a range of countries and genres, including a series by British director Terry Gilliam and cinematic biographies of stars such as singer Andrew Bird and artist Ai Weiwei. See www.quellidellacompagnia.it and page 14 for more.
