Best events in Florence this month April 2023

Here’s our round-up for April, 2023.

April showers bring a well-rounded month of art, music, and nature to make the most out of the long awaited spring time. Don’t forget to stock up on chocolate eggs in time for Easter Sunday on April 9.

Share your events with The Florentineevents@theflorentine.net

April 1 and 2
GARDENING

Firenze Flower Show

The fifth edition of this market exhibition promises an array of rare and unusual plants. On April 1 and 2, exhibitors from across Italy will host gardening courses, demonstrations and educational workshops for children and adults all centered on floriculture and gardening. This is the perfect springtime activity to take advantage of the new blooms and learn a thing or two to start your own garden at home.

April 1
ART SHOW

Spring

The season of blooming calls for celebration at the Tobian Art Gallery. A group of emerging Southeast Asian artists present their works at the via Maggio visual art space and provide some much needed vibrance after a long season of cold weather and grey skies.

April 1+15
FILM

Bad Girls

Join Cinema Astra for a new talk series (in Italian) on films dedicated to the “baddest broads” in the movies. April 1 will focus on damning Disney antiheroines with a talk by Luca Malavasi, while film critic Pier Maria Bocchi leads a discussion on vampiresses, femme fatales and the iconic Marlene Dietrich on April 15. Check out Cinema Astra’s website for original language film showings.

Buy your tickets
April 2, 15+16
CULTURE

The Sentimental Traveler

A cultural showcase inspired by the documentary film Florence, City of Water, on April 2 from 3 to 6pm, participants can enjoy a guided walk along the Mensola stream, a tributary of the River Arno. As a celebratory wrap up of the events, Villa Il Palmerino will open up its garden for dance and video art on April 15 and 16. Choreography and poetry by Silvia Giordano promise an exciting and dynamic spectacle. 

Book your spot
April 7
HERITAGE

Guided tour of the Boboli Gardens lemon house

As part of an initiative running throughout the spring, visitors can enjoy a free guided tour of the 18th-century lemon house in the Boboli Gardens on April 7. A Boboli Gardens admission ticket as well as a reservation is required. 

Book your spot
April 7
PERFORMANCES

Easter Concert

Alevtina Ioffe joins the Orchestra della Toscana as the first Russian woman to lead the Michaylovsky in St. Petersburg. With an affinity for Late Romanticism, she takes the ORT through three important musical figures of the period: Brahms, Tchaikovsky and Dvořák. Accompanied by Italian-Romanian violinist Anna Tifu, the performance promises to be a wonderful way to welcome in the Easter holiday.

April 7-June 25
NATURE EXHIBITION

Explore, Planet Earth

National Geographic returns to Pisa’s foremost exhibition space for a major photographic show that revolves around the exploration of Planet Earth. Starting with a set of images that National Geographic’s photographers captured to document the beauty of our ecosystems, the show zooms in on what we know (and don’t know) about the planet where we live, as well as the human impact on the environment over the millennia.

April 9
HOLIDAY

Easter

April 9 marks Easter Sunday. Whether you celebrate or not, you can still enjoy the old Florentine tradition of the Explosion of the Cart (Scoppio del Carro) spectacle in front of the Duomo. A dove-shaped rocket (symbolizing the Holy Spirit) loaded with fireworks by the historic Florentine Soldi family flies out of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to set the Brindellone cart on fire. 

 

For those looking to worship, St. Mark’s English Church (via Maggio 16) holds services throughout the week starting on Thursday at 7pm for the Holy Eucharist, on Good Friday for three hours of quiet prayer from noon to 3pm, with hymns and reflection from 2pm to 3pm, and an Easter Choral Eucharist on Sunday at 10.30am, followed by refreshments. At St. James Episcopal Church (via Bernardo Rucellai 9), Thursday Mass takes place at 7pm on April 6; the Solemn Office of Good Friday is held at noon and 7pm on April 7; and Mass of Easter Day is held at 11am on April 9, followed by a children’s Easter egg hunt in the churchyard (weather permitting). Santi Apostoli Church (piazza del Limbo 1) holds a Mass of the Lord’s Supper in English at 6pm on April 6; Celebration of the Passion in English on April 7; Procession with the Stones of the Holy Sepulcher to the Duomo at 9pm, followed by an Easter Vigil Mass in Italian and English at 10pm on April 8; and an Easter Sunday mass in English at 10.30am. 

 

Check out your local pasticceria and stock up on colomba cakes and chocolate eggs for all of your loved ones. 

 

Children’s Lending Library Easter Party

The Children’s Lending Library is throwing their annual Easter party on Saturday, April 1 from 4 to 6pm at via Rucellai 9. There will be games, snacks, face painting and Easter egg coloring. All are invited. 3 euro for members, 5 euro for non-members. childrenslendinglibrary@gmail.com

April 10
RELIGIOUS MUSIC

Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra

Promoting and preserving the performance of sacred music and art, the Fondazione Pro Musica e Arta Sacra supports a concert featuring the Gustavus Choir (USA). This prestigious student choir consists of almost 300 members who perform globally and specialize in both historical and contemporary composers of religious music. This performance is the second in a series of five promoted by the Fondazione to be performed throughout the year.

April 12-23
COCKTAILS

Florence Cocktail week

Shaken or stirred? Florence Cocktail Week is back with the promise of meetings, masterclasses and events for spirits professionals and enthusiasts. Following Tuscan Cocktail Week (April 10-16), Florence’s focus will stay in bars and other establishments within the Tuscan capital. Bartenders throughout the city present original twists on classic beverages, while introducing new innovations and flavors to the world of cocktails. 

April 14-16
VINTAGE

Florence Vintage Market

Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia hosts the Florence Vintage Market at the historic Palazzo Corsini. The seventh edition of this charitable market will promise a vast selection of high-quality vintage designer clothing, accessories, shoes and more. The central purpose of this vintage market is to raise funds for FILE’s charity work, which helps the seriously ill as well as their families. This market, which is held from 11am to 6pm on April 14, 15 and 16, is a great way to refresh your wardrobe for spring, while contributing to a good cause.

April 15
CULTURE

The Medici Gardens of Tuscany: A Conversation with Ross King

The Canadia-born best selling author Ross King speaks with Paola Vojnovic for a special zoom event. The two will discuss the Florentine Renaissance and its rediscovery of architecture and visual space.  The minimum suggested donation is 20 euro and due to time changes, the hour of the event goes as follows: 10am Los Angeles, 11am Phoenix, 1pm NY & Toronto, 6pm London, 7pm Florence. If you would like to RSVP, please send an email to Paola50122@gmail.com.

More on Ross King
April 16
VINTAGE

Pimp My Vintage

Spring cleaning season is here and it’s the perfect time to spruce up your wardrobe. Ditch the fast fashion sites for a more unique option and visit The Future is Vintage Market. Score clothes, jewelry, accessories and other vintage finds from a highly curated selection, while enjoying drinks, food, and music. Entrance is free, but reservations are required.

April 22
REUNION

Aggie Muster

University of Texas A&M  hosts their Aggie Muster reunion for Alumni of the school. This tradition marks the anniversary of Texas’ independence from Mexico in the battle of San Jacinto. Alumni living in Florence and the surrounding area will come together for an aperitivo and dinner. The evening will start with an aperitivo at L’Atlante Cocktail bar (via dei Conti) before moving to the dinner location at Ostera Cipolla.

April 25-May 1
CONFERENCES

MIDA

Handicraft enthusiasts can get hyped about MIDA, the Florence International Crafts Fair, at the medieval walls of the Fortezza da Basso trade fair complex. Now in its 87th edition, the general public can return, post-pandemic, to admire some of the most impressive craft artefacts in Italy and from around the world. Sub-section Abita will focus on the home: from furniture, architecture and design to technologies and services.

Buy your tickets
April 28-30
FESTIVAL

Bright Festival

Expect immersive shows, live performances, interactive installations, new media art, virtual and augmented reality, and light and sound experiences at the Florence edition of the Bright Festival. This Italy-based cultural event fosters digital creativity in partnership with industry leaders, international artists and universities around the world. 

April 29-November 19
TEXTILE

Kimono: reflections of Art between Japan and the West

Prato’s Textile Museum introduces an exhibition of 50 kimonos from the first half of the 20th century. This show documents the evolution of economic and cultural relations between Europe and Japan, which began in the mid-sixteenth century and over time became a major influence on fashion, art and culture. Another section of the exhibition also provides an in-depth study of traditional textiles and decorative techniques for kimonos and references to European artworks from artists like Matisse, Klimt and Kandinsky.

April 30
MUSIC

Joe Satriani

Legendary American guitarist Joe Satriani takes the stage at Teatro Verdi for part of his EARTH TOUR. Satriani taught himself guitar at the age of 14 years old and has gone on to teach some of the greats along with maintaining his own rock star career. This night of shredding the six string is one not to miss.

Buy your tickets
March-April
FLOWERS

Wander and Pick

For one of the cutest ways to welcome in the spring, visit this pick-your-own-flower farm with 300,000 tulips from more than 100 different varieties to choose from. We can’t think of a better way to get outside and spruce up your living room with a fresh handpicked bouquet.

Until May 13
PAINTINGS

Confini

Salento-born artist Adriana Luperto introduces her new exhibition featuring a series of oil paintings. Many of her works depict natural elements and landscapes, all with a sense of enchantment and a genuine twilight element. Taking inspiration from the sensibilities of a Joseph Conrad novel, there is a transitional element to her work that visitors understand when looking at her paintings.

Until June 5
EXHIBITION

Watching and Waiting

Cuba-Born artist Enrique Martínez Celaya opens his sculpture exhibition Watching and Waiting at the Museo Marino Marini. Celaya originally comes from a scientific background and has experimented with several other art mediums such as photography, videography, and writing. He resides in Los Angeles and this is his first show in Italy. He will feature his sculptural works from 2005-2023.

Until September 5
EXHIBITION

Luca Giordano-Maestro Barocco a Firenze

More than 50 works connected to the Gallery of Mirrors and Biblioteca Riccardiana will make up this major exhibition at Palazzo Medici Riccardi on Baroque master Luca Giordano (1634-1705). Expect a series of sketches on loan from the National Gallery in London as well as other important artworks from private collections in Europe and the United States, the Uffizi and the Opera del Duomo Museum in Siena, among others.

COMMUNITY

Community Events

International Women’s Network

On April 12, international human rights attorney and environmental advocate Flynn Coleman will speak at the official April meeting of the International Women’s Network in Palazzo San Niccolò about how artificial intelligence is redefining who we are. Tickets cost 20 euro for members and 25 euro for non-members.

Cultural Salon

The Cultural Salon hosts two events this month in Palazzo San Niccolò. On April 3, a special ladies luncheon with Barbara Brodbeck, sponsored by Ladies Adventures Florence, outlines what to expect from the menopause and how to navigate these natural changes in a woman’s life. The second on April 4 features a talk by Professor Lynn Catterson about Stefano Bardini, the master marketeer of his time.

The British Institute of Florence

April is showered with events happening at The British Institute of Florence. Starting off with a bang on April 3, Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence, will discuss his book La Città Universale, in a conversation with digital entrepreneur Morgan Fiumi, followed by a ConnectUS Network Spotlight featuring Labsitters.com, and an art spotlight with Antonio Signorini. April 5 will welcome Joseph Luzzi, author and professor of Literature at Bard College to present his book Botticelli’s Secret which tells the story of how the rediscovery of these lost works in the nineteenth led to a revival of interest in Botticelli, leading to his return to the A-list of Renaissance artists. On April 13, there will be a TRINKETS jazz concert performed by the Phelan Burgoyne Duo. Meet Canadian-British author Alison MacLeod on April 18 as she discusses her historical novel Tenderness. Acclaimed British actor and author Jan Noble visits on April 26 for a special performance of her poetic monologue Shelley 200.

Female Arts in Florence

Head to the Re-Fashion Festival at the FAF Contemporary Art Gallery for three days of talks, workshops and art performances concentrating on fashion and sustainability from April 27 to 29. Artists, designers, schools and foundations will come together to teach participants about how to incorporate more sustainable practices into their lives through fashion and art while also presenting workshops such as unlocking creativity, and more tangible practices like embroidery and screen printing. The series of events will conclude with an art performance/fashion show put on by local designers. 

TF Walks

Piazzale Michelangelo, Porte Sante cemetery + EdV Garden with a view

Saturday April 1, 2-6.30pm

Meeting point: in the middle of the Ponte Vecchio

Along narrow old roads, we will climb up to piazzale Michelangelo, peering into the rose garden and visiting the monumental Porte Sante cemetery at the Basilica of San Miniato before reaching the private EDV Garden with a view. Alice Esclapon de Villeneuve, the garden’s owner, will reveal all about the flowers, plants and her mesmerizing art installations. We will have some time to sit and chat together before walking back to the city center.

Distance 5km / Climb 200m / Cost 30 euro, garden visit included

Email jennifer@meama.it to book your spot

LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE