This New Year’s Eve, Florence will be brimming with ways of wishing 2023 farewell and welcoming the start of 2024.
Concerts in the city’s squares
Concerts are set for six squares this New Year’s Eve, with each dedicated to a different musical genre. You’ll struggle to pick between the Gospel choirs of Musart (The Pilgrims, the Academy Singers Choir and the Maryland Gospel Singers) in piazza San Giovanni, the jazz of Circolo Exwide in piazza Santissima Annunziata, the Toscana Classica orchestra in piazza Santa Croce, the pop orchestra of Anfiteatro 2010 in piazza del Carmine, the Music Pool traveling marching bands in Oltrarno, and the centre stage for New Year’s Eve being in piazza della Signoria, where well-known Italian singer-songwriter Diodato performs as part of an evening of music and entertainment that includes opera, magic and singing, in collaboration with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation. All performances will be held from 10pm to 1am, except for piazza Santa Croce where they take place from 10.45pm to 1am.
Dinners + parties this New Year’s Eve
Forget Heaven for Tonight at 25Hours Hotel
At 25Hours Hotel, New Year’s Eve promises a six-course dinner at the San Paolino Restaurant, followed by the Forget Heaven for Tonight party in the Lounge Bar afterwards. The meal will start at 8pm and the party will continue until 2am. 190 euro for the whole experience or 50 euro for the party with one drink included.
Tables can be booked by emailing restaurant.sanpaolino@25hours-hotels.com
Swing + Champagne at Hotel Number Nine
Hotel Number Nine is going all out for the New Year’s celebrations, starting with drinks and canapes from 8pm, followed by a four-course dinner. See in 2024 with music from Daisy’s Italian Swing Quintet and enjoy a glass of Champagne as the clock strikes 12. The entire evening, with drinks included, will cost 290 euro per person. On January 1, restore your energies with brunch at the hotel from 12 noon to 3pm.
Find more information and how to book on their website.
Rocking in 2024 at the Hard Rock Café
True to form, Hard Rock Café will be hosting a lively evening to celebrate the end of 2023. The New Year’s Eve set menu features a selection of antipasti and main dishes, with dinner starting at 8.30pm. Expect live music themed on rock music from iconic movies, as well as a DJ set. The entire evening costs 140 euro for adults and 56 euro for children, and tickets to enter after midnight cost 31 euro, which includes two drinks.
Booking is available on their website.
Sashay at the Savoy
At Hotel Savoy, New Year’s Eve will be celebrated in style with Champagne to welcome guests, followed by a unique New Year’s Eve menu. The following morning, a special brunch starts the year, featuring a cooking show by the chefs for the full experience. The New Year’s Eve event costs 385 euro per person and the brunch 140 euro, free for children under 14.
For more information, contact +39 055 2735836, or email concierge.savoy@roccofortehotels.com
The Place Firenze for the New Year
The Place Firenze in piazza Santa Maria Novella offers a New Year’s Eve seven-course gala show dinner with surprises and entertainment. Expect delights such as a sea bass and tuna tartare show in the hotel’s glassyard; a fish crudo bar; lobster tagliolini, beef Rossini and more. (250 euro per person, drinks excluded).
To book, email restaurant@theplacefirenze.com or call +39 055 2645181.
Fine dining bao + live music at Il Gusto di Xin Ge
Celebrate the last party of the year at Il Gusto di Xin Ge for a seven-course gourmet fusion meal and live music by Paola Bivona. Titled “A New Story to Tell”, diners will be greeted with Champagne before diving into delights such as squid ink dim sum filled with swordfish, duck tortellini in a lemongrass broth, chicken stuffed with sticky rice and mushrooms and more. 120 euro, includes welcome drink. Call +39 320 9681806 to book.
New Year’s Gala at the Four Seasons
For all the splendour of the occasion, the Four Seasons is hosting their New Year’s Gala with a five-course meal and musical entertainment. The meal will be accompanied by a welcome aperitivo, Champagne and entrance to the Midnight Bacco’s Party to ring in 2024 for 485 euro. The following day will be the last opportunity to try the festive brunch, from 12:30 to 3pm, at 140 euro per person. Enquiries about all festive events can be made by calling +39 055 26261.
Magic at Mercato Centrale Firenze
At Mercato Centrale, New Year’s Eve promises a bit of everything, from food to music and magic tricks. Starting at 7pm, the food court will be open to visitors who have bought their prepaid Che Buono card, to the value of 60 euro for adults and 30 euro for children up to the age of 12. The value of the card can be spent at any of the market’s food vendors or shops, and reserves you a place in the piazza for the evening. Prosecco will be supplied at midnight and the market will close at 1am.
Email info.firenze@mercatocentrale.it or call +39 055 2399798.
A New Year’s feast in the Chianti countryside
Head to Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano wine estate for a New Year’s feast at the charming Tre Rane restaurant. 100 euro (125 euro with wine flight) will score you a Tuscan fine dining meal, which includes smoked duck carpaccio, prawn and sea urchin risotto, roast venison and more.
Ring in 2024 in Umbria
For a break from Florence, the new design hotel Vocabolo Moscatelli in Umbria is treating guests to a New Year’s Eve feast, followed by a party in the hotel’s converted private chapel, complete with DJ and dance floor.
Book your spot: info@vocabolomoscatelli.com
Nightclubs + music
Dinner + dancing at Yab
Yab Club in central Florence will be going all out for New Year’s Eve, serving a four-course dinner from 9pm onwards, followed by dancing. Pre-sale tickets for entrance to the club are available with or without the meal, and with the option to book a table or VIP package for the night. 150 euro for dinner; 60 euro for the party. Booking details here.
Fabulous at Otel
Otel Club is looking forward to the Fabulous New Year’s Eve party, featuring a light show and costumed characters. There are options for all tastes, such as dinner with table service, a buffet, or just entrance to the club, with the possibility to book a table in any of the five different rooms. 125 euro for the served dinner, 95 euro for the buffet or 30 euro club entrance.
Early bird booking is possible online.
New Year’s Eve Opera Gala at Santa Monaca Church
For a musical end to 2023, the Church of Santa Monaca is putting on a New Year’s Eve Opera Gala. The tickets, costing 70 euro, include a three-course meal at Trattoria Napoleone, a short stroll away from the church. The concert will feature some of the most famous opera arias by Puccini, Verdi, Mozart and more, and will finish with a midnight toast. More information and booking can be found online.
New Year’s Day at Teatro Verdi
To start 2024 with a song, Teatro Verdi is holding a New Year’s Day exclusive concert dedicated to Puccini. At 5pm on January 1, the Orchestra della Toscana will take to the stage, with tickets ranging from 15 to 35 euro. Tickets are available to buy through the Orchestra della Toscana website, or directly at the Teatro Verdi ticket office.
