We salute the start of summer with an ever-interesting events calendar.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
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Here’s our round-up for June 2024.
We salute the start of summer with an ever-interesting events calendar.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
The 35th edition of the Florence Dance Performing Arts festival, is all about love, “I love dance, you love dance, we all love dance!” The spectacular circular stage in the historic setting sees international and national stars, opening on June 20 with the hyperrealist ‘Peeping Tom’ from Belgium and the award-winning contemporary performers from Gabriela Carrizo and Franck Chartier’s company who present ‘Diptych – The Missing Door & The Lost Room’. On June 26, there will be choreography by Northern Irish sensation Oona Doherty with her company Od Works, with concerts, workshops and more making up the busy lineup.
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On Saturday, June 29, the Tour de France, the world’s most prestigious cycling race, will start in Italy for the first time in its 111-year history, commencing with the Florence-Rimini stage, dedicated to the memory of the great Italian cyclist Gino Bartali. Cyclists take a scenic route through the city centre of Florence and beyond prior to the official start from Bagno a Ripoli, with a calendar of events adding to the excitement. The Teatro del Maggio opera house opens as a meet-and-green centre, with a world-wide broadcast from piazzale Michelangelo.
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The historic Florentine football season kicks off this month, with the four districts, represented by the Verdi, Azzurri, Rossi and Bianchi, competing on June 1 and 2 for a place in the final on June 15 (and not, as per tradition, on June 24, the feast day of San Giovanni). Tickets available via TicketOne.
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Two exceptional exhibitions of Paris-born and New York-inspired artist Louise Bourgeois’ works – Do Not Abandon me and Cell XVIII (Portrait) – come to the historic venues.
Learn about the exhibition
Fashionistas flock for the menswear fashion week, as Pitti “peacocks” parade their looks in the piazzas. This edition features British stylist Paul Smith, guest designer Marine Serre, and French designer Pierre-Louis Mascia.
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Tales of war, peace, courage and dreams are revealed by the Municipality of Florence and MUS.E with a rich programme of visits to some of the city’s most wondrous locations. From the recently restored San Niccolò Tower to Porto San Frediano and the centuries old Fortezza da Basso, the tours explore the UNESCO awarded historic centre, taking participants through formative historical moments for Florence.
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June 24 marks the feast day of the city’s patron saint, John the Baptist. The occasion is marked with an array of traditional events, including the crowning of the Marzocco statue of the Florentine lion in piazza della Signoria four days prior, on June 18. A Corteo degli Omaggi parade sets off at 8.30am from via Folco Portinari, passing piazza Duomo and via Calzaiuoli before reaching piazza della Signoria where the cross of San Giovanni will be handed to the Mayor of Florence in the Palazzo Vecchio while flag-throwers dazzle those gathered. The procession then departs with the Ganfalone di Firenze flag, making their way to the Baptistery where candles and the cross will be gifted to the Archbishops of Florence at 10am. A mass follows at 11am in the Cathedral. A river regatta at 6pm and the firework display, known as the Fochi di San Giovanni (which will be live-streamed on Società San Giovanni Battista’s Facebook, YouTube and website), at 10pm, are annual highlights, with crowds gathered along the river to salute the city.
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From May 30 to June 2, the Sant’Ambrogio neighbourhood will become the site of the SALE Festival, with a number of cultural, social and gastronomical events on the schedule. Returning this year after its first edition in 2023, the festival is dedicated to the people and sense of community to be found in Sant’Ambrogio. A sense of togetherness is fostered in the range of activities, including a ‘people’s dinner’ in which three religious communities will come together, attended by Jewish, Muslim and Christian representatives.
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The Festivalino (“little festival”) kicks off with a gala evening on May 30 at Florence’s Palazzo Corsini al Prato, the headquarters of the Fondazione Mascarade opera training and performance programme, including a young all-stars alumni concert in one of the garden’s magnificent Limonaie and a majestic opening dinner set at a tavolo imperiale running down the palazzo’s famous avenue of statues. The subsequent events will be held in some of Florence’s most beautiful locations, featuring opera, ballet, and lots of art. Tickets from 15 euro (10 euro for under 35s).
Get your ticketsCartoonfantasy brings together music and images from the great Disney classics, performed by the Steelwind Chamber Saxophone Quartet in the Oblate Library’s Sala Dino Campana at 9pm on June 19. Pieces by Tchaikovsky, Ponchielli, Mussorgsky and Schubert, used in Disney’s Fantasia, will delight audiences of all ages.
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From May until October, over 100 special guests take part in events held in 12 locations in Tuscany, celebrating contemporary literature. The Florence iteration of the festival will be held at Villa Bardini from June 5-9, with focuses on artificial intelligence and debut authors. Guests include Francesco Martini Coveri, creative director at the fashion Maison Enrico Coveri, with noted events such as talks on gender violence, and a meditation led by internationally renowned biologist and naturalist Daniel Lumera. A new aspect this year will be events offered with Italian sign language, making the festival ever more accessible.
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Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel delights with a varied calendar in the picturesque hilltop setting in Fiesole. June 3 (6.30-7.30pm) sees a jazz concert by musicians from the renowned Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, followed by a drink. The music continues at 7pm on June 5, this time with a saxophone performance, as always, followed by a drink. June 6, on the other hand, is a talk by Alessandra Marchetti titled ‘Our hillsides: formidable women and their villas in Fiesole and Settignano in the early 20th century’, held in English. An enchanting calligraphy experience with Betty Soldi is an unmissable hands-on activity on June 14, with mixology on June 20 and a classical concert on June 26 finishing off the month in style. Contact concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055 5678200 to reserve your spot. Starting June 4, every Tuesday Villa San Michele will host a DJ set by the Pool Bar, from 7-10.30pm.
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Works by British visual artist Sarah Staton go on display to coincide with UNICEF Innocenti’s Leading Minds conference on climate on May 29-31. The exhibition, running until the end of September, explores shapes, colours and pattern repetitions, provoking an urgent call for the protection of animals and natural forms. Email florence@unicef.org for viewing by appointment.
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Rockers make their way to the Cascine for the days dedicated to the genre. Headline acts this year include Avenged Sevenfold and Tool, with Bowling for Soup, Cemetery Sun and The Struts bringing fans to Florence.
See the lineup
The Social Hub on viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72 put together a superb calendar in their atmospheric courtyard, including aperitivos, DJ sets, talks, stand-up comedy. Sports fans won’t want to miss the Italy vs Spain soccer match that will be screened on June 20, with Italy vs Croatia on June 24. Other highlights include Queerlesque on June 8 and Kacie Rose presents her book You deserve good gelato on June 25.
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Adam & The Apples perform on June 19 and 21 as part of the weekly dining shows at House of Nine. Fine dining and entertainment meet in the glamorous setting on via dei Conti 7, with the 7-piece band promising an exhilarating ride through your most loved songs, from jazz to funk to rock’n’roll. A welcome drink, three-course menu and live show costs 130 euro.
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25Hours Hotel at piazza San Paolino host yoga sessions followed by a “healthy” aperitivo every Wednesday from 7pm, starting June 19. A one-hour Vinyasa Flow class suitable for all levels held in the atmospheric Cinema Paradiso is preceded by a welcome with a refreshing drink, with a post-session Yoga Spritz for a toast in the indoor garden. For info and reservations, T: +39 366 771 4660. Cost: 30 euro.
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Music lovers make their way to Lucca for the outstanding lineup that includes Eric Clapton, Ed Sheeran, Swedish House Mafia, Smashing Pumpkins, Rod Stewart, Lenny Kravitz, Sam Smith and Duran Duran in what’s sure to be a highlight this summer.
See the programmeA new Pitti Immagine event dedicated to bikes and cycling puts a focus on pedal style in the lead up to the Tour de France. The three-day exhibition event brings talks, interviews and presentations, in collaboration with the international magazine, Rouleur.
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Thursdays in Manifattura sees music, art and design, shopping, sport, talks and workshops, food and drinks and kids’ activities all come together in a new weekly event at Manifattura Tabacchi. Every Thursday from 6pm, a wide-ranging programme will see something for everyone.
See the full calendar
Stephan Zimmerli’s Study of exile, is dedicated to the collective memory of migrants, exiles and travellers. The free-entry exhibition takes the form of drawings that depict the memories of twelve participants brought together in the Sala Laura Oriveto. A wooden scenography – similar to that of a Renaissance study – consists of words and memories that have been translated into images.
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Nestled in the hills above Florence, Villa La Pietra with its wonderful garden is the home of New York University Florence (via Bolognese 120). In the summer, the university organizes a rich cultural program of events called The Season, which is now in its 18th edition, bringing together artists, musicians, writers, professional actors, dancers and young talents.
See the calendarThe British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) host John Hooper of The Economist in conversation with Morgan Fiumi on June 3, looking at ‘Giorgia Meloni and her Brothers’. The Wednesday Lectures Series finishes for the season on June 5, with Gastòn Javier Basile telling stories of the Medici involvement with South America from his research in the Medici archives.
Sotto al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) holds life drawing from 7-9pm weekly on Mondays, with additional sessions on June 6 and 20. Local artists come together for a social session with a live model and wine refreshments, led by Tom J. Byrne. Brainstorming for writers with local author and translator, Lori Hetherington, will be at 7pm on June 18.
The Square in Le Cure hosts Peter Dulborough’s Music of the Stars on June 7. Starting at 8.45pm, there will be a concert version with a live band and a narration of the music and songs of the musical inspired by Antoine di Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. From classical to pop-rock, taking in piano ballads and jazz and blues pieces, it promises to be a lively musical performance.
Celebrate American Independence Day at The Florentine’s red, white and blue themed cocktail party, from 7-9pm on July 4, at Hotel Savoy Florence in piazza della Repubblica 7, costing 45 euro per person. Reserve your spot: enquiries.savoy@roccofortehotels.com.
St. James American Episcopal Church host the first concert by Orchestra Umana Armonia at 8.30pm on June 11. This newly formed orchestra, carrying forward the legacy of Johanna Knauf and her Orchestra Desideria da Settignano, of which many were a part, in collaboration with young, up-and-coming conductors and composers, has put together a program that embraces different genres and musical periods: two pieces, Searching and Rebirth, from a 9-piece musical suite Landscapes Within composed by Belinda É. Samari and conducted by Sara Pace, followed by Beethovan’s Seventh Symphony conducted by Tommaso Giannoni. All welcome, free entrance, with donations requested.
Creative People in Florence (via dei Serragli 58r) host pilates on June 4, with a punch needle workshop on the same day. An energy and emotion focused pilates session is on June 6, with an emphasis on releasing tension and inspiring creativity.
Alice Libreria (The Social Hub, viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70) have free children’s workshops on June 14, 21 and 28, for little ones aged 5 and over. Taking place from 6-8pm, Floor Robert and Elisa Vitielle of InQuanto Teatro entertain with stories, drawing, building and playing, while parents can enjoy a cocktail in the courtyard. Reservation welcome by emailing hello.alicelibreria@gmail.com.
La Fierucola brings the best of biodiversity with crafts and homemade products by small-scale producers filling up stalls in popular piazzas. The Fierucolina is held in piazza del Carmine from 9am to 2pm on June 9, and in piazza Santo Spirito from 9am to 7pm on June 16.
The American-international League of Florence Onlus hold a fundraising jazz concert at the Innocenti Museum on June 23, with a performance by Aletheia. Start time 7pm, with pre-booked entry via paypal: 25 euro. Paypal: AILOFlorence1975@gmail.com. Minimum donation at the door: 28 euro. For information and reservations contact ann_pollak@hotmail.com.
Tenuta Vignamaggio nestled in the Chianti hills host everything from Christmas card making to wreath workshops, with the chance to craft your own festive centrepiece and even cyanotype botanical workshops ...
Are you a small business or team looking for the perfect way to celebrate the festive season? At Hard Rock Cafe Florence, in the spirit of ‘All is One’ and ...
The Art of Style, created by Lady Kendra, is a space where art, fashion, wellness, and personal transformation come together. The gallery is designed as an immersive experience, from rotating ...
A 6km (2 hour) walk in the footsteps of the early 20th century Anglo-Florentines takes you to discover the Edwardian community of Florence when it was “more English than England”. ...
