Nothing beats September in Tuscany: changing colors, balmy temperatures and new energy in the city streets after the quiet sun-drenched months. Stealing the late-summer limelight from Florence, Prato will be the life of the party this year. Concerts, galas, sporting events and foodie fun are all in the pipeline for Settembre Pratese 2015, nicknamed Prato è Spettacolo and anchored in piazza del Duomo and piazza Mercatale.
Buzz continues to build around the Interpol show, which kicks off the fun NYC-style on September 1. With an alt-rock catalog inspired by giants like Joy Division and The Cure, this New York band will play the can’t-miss concert on the Pratese calendar. But if you’re looking for something more family-friendly, there are plenty of options for all ages and tastes: even as Prato pushes the envelope, beloved local traditions still loom large.
Dating back to the Middle Ages, the annual Festa della Madonna will be celebrated on September 8. Historic court processions and religious rituals, like a special showing of the Madonna’s sacred girdle, are still the crux of this event. Make time for a Palla Grossa match, too: all of the famous Pratese football semis and finals take place in the first two weeks of the month.
A major all-night highlight will be the Fluo Night Run on September 11. Taking in twinkling lights, live tunes and September temperatures, runners will weave their way around the city borders on a relaxed 45-minute jog. Following the night run, the fun moves to the Palazzo Pretorio museum, which will host an aperitivo and DJ sets until midnight.
In piazza Mercatale check out the Taste space from September 5 to 12, from 7pm to midnight, where you can try local wine, beer and cured meats.
Tickets are now on sale for all Prato è Spettacolo events via boxol.it, and various options are available, including combined tickets for multiple concerts. Special discounts, dinners and other promotional offers will be available to ticketholders throughout September in Prato.
*Editorial update, August 28: Tickets for Interpol are no longer available online, but you can pick them up at Box Office Toscana locations. Here is a handy map.
