Here’s our round-up for February 2024.
Find solace in Florence’s ever-active cultural calendar throughout (generally) chilly February.
Some events may be cancelled on February 17 + 18 due to a period of mourning declared by the city council to commemorate the death of supermarket construction workers. Please check with the event’s organizers.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
Over 200 of the latest-release Chianti and Morellino di Scansano labels can be tasted at this vino fest that features around 110 wineries. Tickets cost 15 euro.
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The University of Florence celebrates its 100th anniversary with a journey through the symbolic universe of myth in two historic venues. Seven sculptures and 30 polychrome steles in terracotta and wood by Onofrio Pepe make up the “Wall of Myth”.
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The largest international event dedicated to dance reaches a staggering 400 events with 14 pavilions and 20,000 dancers forming the major dance event that spans classical, jazz, modern and contemporary genres. This year’s slogan is ‘All Beats to Dance’ and sees dancers, teachers, choreographers, international étoiles, schools, academies and beloved brands of dance apparel and accessories gather in Florence.
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Celebrating Danilo Donati’s costume design for Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 movie Romeo and Juliet is a display of over 30 original costumes on show in the Sala della Musica, with corresponding shots from the film and ongoing projections documenting the outfits as they were originally intended.
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On February 16 at 11.30am + 12.30pm, enjoy a free private guided tour of the impressive Banca di Italia headquarters in Florence during the current exhibition Towards Modernity: Women in the Banca d’Italia’s Art Collection. Climb the iconic staircase, gaze at the art collection and learn more about the bank’s activities. Exclusive to readers of The Florentine.
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Returning for its fourth edition, the #RunForLove campaign challenges couples to run a combined distance of 9km (4.5km each) for the Meyer Children’s Hospital on the weekend around Valentine’s Day. Anyone running in pairs can choose when and where they run between February 10 and 14, and donations of 9 euro per person will go towards the children’s hospital. For an additional 5-euro donation, runners can order this year’s #RunForMeyer t-shirt, and prizes will be given to the fastest couples, the largest group, and those with the t-shirts of every previous year.
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The Mascarade Opera showcase features scenes from a selection of operas with Mascarade artists and the Filharmonie orchestra, conducted by Maestro Wyn Davies, with stage direction by Jean-Romain Vesperini. Tickets give access to the Fondazione and the Corsini gardens (weather permitting) from 6pm, including the offer of a glass of wine. The concert begins at 7pm, and has been generously supported by Charles and Caroline Pridgeon.
Get your ticketsCinema Alfieri hosts a special screening of the Oscar-nominated film, Io Capitano, at 10.30am on February 15. In celebration of Black History Month Florence, Stanford in Florence partners with BHMF to share the journey of two young boys as they travel from Dakar to Europe. An introduction and Q&A will be held in English, with the film screened in Italian with English subtitles. Tickets cost 5 euro.
Cinema Astra screens Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things in the original language with Italian subtitles for the month of February. Based on Alasdair Gray’s novel, the adaptation stars Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe.
Cinema La Compagnia screens 20th-century masterpieces as part of its ‘XX Century: The Most Beautiful Invention’ series. February sees films by Luchino Visconti, Nicholas Roeg, David Lean, John Sclesigner, Tony Richardson, Ken Russell, Stephen Frears and Karel Reisz in the original language with Italian subtitles. The Cinefilante series is aimed at young viewers aged 2 and over, with animated short films on show at 5.30pm on Sundays until April 21.
Connoisseurs and the curious flock to the former railway station for earlybird tastings of Chianti Classico with the producers on hand to explain their Riserva and Gran Selezione bottlings. Open from 10am-7pm. Tickets cost 30 euro, 15 euro reduced.
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Reburger, in partnership with Street Levels Gallery, launches a series of temporary exhibitions that will last throughout 2024. The inaugural exhi- bition features works by the internationally-known Florentine urban artist, Monograff.
An unforgettable rock-symphonic show based on Queen’s much-loved music stars 30 musicians in a tribute that combines delicate strings with electric guitar riffs.
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A day dedicated to all things Harry Potter with medieval castles and historic villas opening up to aspiring wizards and witches. Put together spells and potions, and immerse the whole family in magic. Open from 10am-7pm. Tickets cost 20 euro.
Book your spotShowcase Open Mic gives you a chance to take to the stage and sing or play your heart out. Held from 9pm to midnight at Ostello Bello on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, everyone is welcome.
The Pupi di Stac puppets perform the childhood classic Cappuccetto Rosso (Little Red Riding Hood) at Teatro Puccini on February 4. Tickets cost 8 euro.
St. James Episcopal Church holds a thrift shop sale on the last Wednesday of the month from 9.30 to 11.30am, with tickets available on the morning of the event. The on-site Children’s Lending Library (in English) will be open from 4.30 and 6.30pm on Thursdays, 10.30am and 12.30pm on Sundays.
The Social Hub (viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70/72) hosts an all-you-can-eat brunch with live music and entertainment from 11.30am to 4pm with the sweet and savoury buffet enhanced by Lorenzo’s 2000s DJ set on February 4, and an ‘80s and ‘90s set by Isabella Centaro from Collettivo Loredana on February 11. A Drag Brunch with The Shade will be on February 18 and pop covers by Sinedades on February 25.
The British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) continues the Wednesday Lectures Series with Arturo Galansino speaking about Palazzo Strozzi at 6pm on February 7; Elaine Ruffolo gives a talk titled ‘Images of love in the Renaissance’ on February 14; Alan Pascuzzi details ‘Lapis Lazuli: the dive blue pigment – how it was made in the Renaissance’ on February 21; and Lisa Kaborycha explores ‘Fake news during the Florentine Renaissance’ on February 28. A brand-new lecture series by Alexandra Lawrence called ‘Mystics, Magicians and Madmen of the Renaissance’ kicks off from 6 to 7.30pm on February 8. Stefano Maurizi and Mirco Mariottini perform a piano and clarinet concert on February 13, and Magdalene Ho plays Bach, Brahms and Schumann on February 27. Tuesdays are dedicated to bridge, with courses for both beginners and intermediates as well as social sessions. Afternoon tea is served at 4pm on Wednesdays.
SOTTO al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) holds life drawing led by Tom J. Byrne from 7 to 9pm on Mondays. ‘Brainstorming for Writers’ with local author and translator Lori Hetherington is at 7pm on February 20.
The Women’s International Network holds its 10th annual members fair at Palazzo San Niccolò on February 21.
Libreria Alice brings literary lovers together with the ABC Alice Book Club at 9pm on February 28. This month, it’s Alasdair Gray’s Poor Things, read in the language of your choice and discussed in both Italian and English with a glass of wine. Sip & Paint is held at 9pm on February 8 and 22, costing 20 euro with canvas, brushes, colours and first bottle of wine included. Email: hello.alicelibreria.@gmail.com
Female Arts in Florence hosts an exhibition titled Space Room from February 1 to 29, with a ceramics course on February 10 and sustainable fashion on February 24.
Lìlà Toy Store (via Maggio 78R) hosts a carnival activity from 4pm on February 10, with children’s stories told by a drag queen (free entry). At 7pm on February 14, there’ll be a ‘Build a Terrarium with Love’ workshop (60 euro for 2 people). A crochet course for adults starts on Saturday mornings this month. Free readings for children aged 2 years and over is at 6pm on Wednesdays, using light and projections to add to the sense of wonder.
Author David Cantor speaks about his recent publication I Am Q, exploring a world dominated by technology and how we define human progress: 6pm on February 13 at Il Conventino and at 7pm on February 29 at Libreria Alice in The Social Hub.
St Mark’s English Church holds an Ash Wednesday service at 7pm, with a free concert by the students of Milanese Maestro Danilo Manto at 4.30pm on February 10, with music from Scarlatti to Rachmaninov. A second free concert is held at 5.30pm on February 15, with sacred music by the Innervoice UK-based choir, consisting of 45 singers aged 14-18.
Literary lovers come out in droves for the annual event dedicated to reading, writing and drawing. The best of (mainly Italian) publishing is brought to Stazione Leopolda with literary news, international guests and a packed events programme. Tickets cost 7 euro for the entire event if purchased by February 22.
See the programmeLa Fierucola brings the best of biodiversity with crafts and homemade products by small-scale organic producers filling up stalls in popular piazzas. The Fierucolina is held in piazza del Carmine from 9am to 2pm on February 11, and in piazza Santo Spirito from 9am to 7pm on February 18.
It’s Carnevale time! Florence’s own extravagant parade has just past (on January 28), but there’s plenty of time to check out the activities by the Ferris wheel in Cascine Park. Viareggio’s full calendar of events continues until February 25, including six masked parades, firework displays and creative workshops, many of which take place in the city’s dedicated Carnevale museum. Foiano della Chiana, south of Arezzo, claims Italy’s longest tradition in carnival parades, now in its 485th year with an equally impressive series of events on February 4, 11, 18 + 25
What to do for Carnevale
Un incontro ad alba avanzata, nel centro di Firenze. Passeggeremo per le stradine ed i vicoli con la brezza mattutina, con i colori magnifici del primo mattino (portate una macchina fotografica!) e i...
Experience a unique adventure while discovering Florence and its surroundings, all while comfortably seated in a sidecar (there’s space for two!), accompanied by a professional English-speaking driver. There are several ...
Transformative Shamanic Pipe Ceremonies and Retreats in Fiesole. Join us for holistic healing with Sacred tobacco Ceremonies and 4-Day Retreats in the serene Chianti hills above Florence. Led by R...
Discover the secrets of the Florentine masters through hands-on workshops in an historic marble studio in the center of Florence. Work with authentic materials such as marble, mosaic, lapis lazuli an...
