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 July.
CULTURE/Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
July 4 – September 10
Various locations in Florence
Opera, dance and music lovers will be in their element throughout the summer season of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Enjoy performances of Rossini’s opera The Barber of Seville at Florence’s new opera house, modern ballet shows from Dance Quartet and various outdoor musical evenings in the wonderful surroundings of the Boboli Gardens. For more details, see www.operadifirenze.it.
MOVE/Florence Dance Festival
July 1–26
Bargello museum, via del Proconsolo, 4, Florence
A unique opportunity to see modern, post-modern and contemporary dance combined into one festival in Florence. Big names from the American Ballet Theatre with primi ballerini from the New York City Ballet perform pieces dedicated to art and the culture of dance, as well as the last ever performance from the Trisha Brown Dance Company on July 7. Visit www.florencedance.org for the programme.
TIME TRAVEL/Monteriggioni Festival
July 18–20, 25–27
Monteriggioni Castle, Monteriggioni
The Middle Ages have left their mark on Tuscany. For two weekends in July, travel back in time to Monteriggioni, where the ancient walls and battlements of its castle were mentioned by Dante, too. Jugglers, jesters, acrobats, stilt walkers, sword swallowers and snake charmers will be in full force to entertain all. Find out more at www.monteriggionimedievale.com.
MODERNIZE/FRAC Champagne-Ardenne
July 3–31
Marino Marini museum, piazza San Pancrazio, Florence
Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the twinning agreement between Florence and Reims, the Marino Marini museum showcases a selection of major works from the FRAC Champagne-Ardenne collection, on display for the first time in Italy. The collection consists of more than 800 artworks representing the diversity of aesthetics and mediums in contemporary art practices from the 1960s to the present day. For more, see www.museomarinomarini.it.
LISTEN/Summer music festivals
All summer
Various locations in Tuscany
Don’t let your summer fall flat! With the many music festivals around Tuscany, from classical concerts to chart-hit performances, you’ll find something to please your musical ear. Highlights include Levante in Arezzo (July 17), Yann Tiersen in Prato (July 23) and Stevie Wonder in Lucca (July 20). As a summer treat, The Florentine will be offering a free-to-download digital guide to all music events in Florence and Tuscany this summer; visit theflr.net/summermusicguide.
EAT/Festa del Mugello
Until August 17
ObiHall Theatre, via Fabrizio De Andrè, Florence
Allow your taste buds to experience the Mugello without leaving Florence at the daily summer BBQ. Every evening from 7pm, the outdoor area comes alive with games, activities and magicians for children, tango, live music, big screens for sports matches and a range of traditional food from the Mugello. More information at www.festadelmugello.com.
EXCAVATE/Archaeology Nights
July 1–31
Various locations in Florence and Tuscany
Archaeology Nights are back this July with museums, parks and archaeological areas opening their doors for special night-time tours and events. The varied programme includes a murder mystery night quiz in Orbetello, the chance to recreate ancient coins and a theatrical live archaeological performance in Cortona, as well as cooking shows and more. For a full list of activities (in Italian), see www.regione.toscana.it/nottidellarcheologia.
ART/Michelangelo & the 20th Century
Until October 20
Casa Buonarroti, via Ghibellina 70, Florence
Commemorating the 450th anniversary of the death of Michelangelo, the exhibition Michelangelo e il Novecento is dedicated to the artist and his works over the course of the last century. Focusing on the life of the artist, which centred around Casa Buonarroti and other Italian and Florentine institutions, the exhibition also showcases the presence of Michelangelo in 20th-century visual culture. See www.casabuonarroti.it for more.
CLIMB/San Niccolò
Until September 30
San Niccolò tower, piazza Poggi, Florence
Take part in one of the special guided tours of Florence’s fourteenth-century tower throughout the summer. Every day from 5 to 8pm, guided tours are available in English, Italian, Spanish and French. Admire the wonderful views and travel back in time to the days of bows and arrows and inter-city wars. See www.musefirenze.it for more information and to book.
