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Here’s our round-up for November 2024.
A new site-specific installation in the courtyard provides a contemporary vision of the Renaissance architecture.
A look at the new section of Festival dei Popoli, sponsored by the Calliope Arts Foundation.
Marking 150 years since the birth of the movement in 1874, a major exhibition dedicated to Impressionism features works by artists of the caliber of Monet, Renoir, Delacroix, Bonnard and Courbet, capturing the moody skies, sparkling waters and verdant valleys of Normandy.
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Dances by the most interesting national and international artists on the contemporary scene come together at the home of the Viriglio Sieni Dance Company that also hosts the Lucia Festival, gathering together audio stories from around the world. As part of the project, there will be three days dedicated to persons with disabilities, titled Vivente.
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The festival dedicated to the art of violin making consists of performances by the likes of the Leviosa Quartet on November 3, and the acclaimed duo composed of the Paganini Prize-winning violinist Giuseppe Gibboni and guitarist Carlotta Dalia on November 13.
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For the 40th anniversary of the Firenze Marathon, athletes and amateurs take to the city’s historic streets to undertake the 42.195 km challenge over centuries-old bridges and through medieval alleys, both arriving and departing from piazza del Duomo.
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Run as a team of 3 on Saturday November 23, completing 7km each, all in the name of raising funds for the Play Therapy programme at the Meyer Children’s Hospital. Starting at 10.30am.
Register your team
Unfolding across the Sala delle Udienze and the Sala dei Gigli, more than 50 works, made up of sculptures, paintings, drawings, autographed letters and plaster casts, are on show, illustrating Michelangelo’s political vision and his determination to place himself on an equal footing with the powerful on earth.
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Check out what the city has in store for cinephiles this time of year.
Creative People in Florence showcases works by locally-based artist.
Foreign ministers will meet on November 13, 14 and 15.
All aspects of Japanese culture are celebrated with performances, workshops, tastings, a market and more, with shows like Modern Kabuki by Manjushaka and demonstrations of how a bride wears a Kimono among the many traditions shared. Taiko and Karate also feature, with tea ceremonies and calligraphy shown in all their splendor. 5-euro donation requested, children under 10 free.
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The longest-running annual festival of Middle Ages and Renaissance music in Tuscany, organized by the L’Homme Armé Association, brings repertoires to venues like the San Salvi Museum and the parish church of San Lorenzo in Borgo San Lorenzo.
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It’s all things LEGO for the fun-filled brick-building fest. Enthusiasts of all ages create the constructions of their wildest fantasies. Organized by Toscana Bricks, there’s a focus on BrickPuppies this edition, with the motto being Build Them All! From workshops to speed building competitions, you’ll see the likes of Minecraft, a 20 square metre castle-themed scene and a large free play area, as well as the Fairy Bricks initiative that donates LEGO to children in Tuscan hospitals. 8-euro entry, 6 euro reduced, free for children up to 5 years old.
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Future is the theme of the 7th edition of the woman-focused fest, as artistic director Serena Dandini elaborates, “Today, more than ever, women are capable of revolutionary ideas and do not ask to participate in the world as it is, but aspire to be an active part in reforming it”. Held in proximity to the World Day against Gender Violence on November 25, special guests this year include romance writer Felicia Kingsley, musician Paola Maugeri and economist Ginevra Bersani Franceschetti.
See the programmeThe concept of community is investigated in collaboration with the Hillary Merkys Recordati Foundation, defining new models of production and sharing. The works and performances explore shared cultural roots and artistic practices as a form of social transformation, developed across the two locations.
Find out moreA retrospective dedicated to the 50-year career of the American photographer Robert Farber goes on show, known for his pictorial style that ranges between the world of artistic, commercial and fashion photography, which has influenced generations of photographers.
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Aimed to be a multidirectional reflection on the table as an archetype in a collaboration between ZOO _Hub and Studio Marangoni, the photographs see the object as a place where life unfolds, but also as a product of creativity and ingenuity, formed as a widespread exhibition route throughout the former tobacco factory.
See the exhibitionA civic theatre festival explores social and political issues through performing arts, stimulating reflection and debate. 15 events in six different locations encompass shows, conversations and workshops. Free admission.
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Two exhibitions are dedicated to the painter from Turin who lived in Florence in the early-mid 20th century, stemming from an idea by Magda Grifò, the artist’s great-granddaughter and coordinated by Valentina Zucchi, the Palazzo’s scientific director. The works on show detail the career of Felice Carena, delving into the years he lived in Florence, from 1924, when he taught at the Academy of Fine Arts, to 1945, when he moved to Venice.
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Palazzo Corsini is the spectacular setting for the 10th edition of the vintage market that raises funds for File (Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia). Taking place from November 8-10, dig among the treasures of the vast selection of high-quality clothing, personal and home accessories. The last edition raised 50,000 euro, supporting seriously ill people and their families.
Christmas fever starts to seep into the city, with piazza Santa Croce hosting the much-loved market in the picturesque piazza. Over 50 characteristic wooden huts fill with the scents, sounds and flavours of the festive season, with Santa even making an appearance and live music adding to the atmosphere from November 23-December 22.
From the end of November through to January, Arezzo gets a fairytale Christmas makeover. The historic centre fills with a Ferris wheel, events for all ages, markets and light shows in one of the annual highlights for Christmas lovers.
Fiera delle arti tessili (Textile Arts fair) comes to piazza Santa Croce from November 2-3, dedicated to locally made, high-quality materials. Mani Tese participate with a sustainable fashion catwalk. The Fierucolina will be in piazza del Carmine on November 10 before moving to piazza Santo Spirito on November 17, bringing the best of biodiversity with crafts and homemade products by small-scale producers.
From November 9+10, the Ippodromo del Visarno sees cars packed with all kinds of objects for a car boot sale. Free up space in your home or come along to see what you find, enjoying live music, delicious food and street artists. A jury will award the best exhibitor with a free station for the next edition, as well as a ticket to the Vasco Rossi concert in Florence.
Only Usato continues their popular second hand and vintage clothing markets at Il Conventino (via Giano della Bella) on November 17.
One of the oldest documentary film festivals in Europe, the Festival dei Popoli is celebrating its 65th edition, with a multifaceted program made up of 86 films by mostly female directors.
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Immerse yourself in the world of Gustav Klimt with a completely renewed 360-degree multimedia show by Crossmedia, directed by Stefano Fake. The 35-minute multisensory experience fuses art, history and technology to transform the deconsecrated church with artworks by the Austrian symbolist painter.
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Celebrating the “first Tuscans” and the 70th anniversary of the Italian Institute of Prehistory and Protohistory in Florence, the exhibition goes back 170,000 years to the prehistoric site of Poggetti Vecchi in Grosseto, displaying the finds and studying the environmental changes and the adaptation of human communities in times of climate crisis.
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Stazione Utopia curates the project as part of Autunno Fiorentino, packing together a busy calendar of workshops and performances in the name of social inclusion. Taking place across the city, dance, theatre, family shows and more invite all audiences. Free admission.
See the programmeDive into the rich flavours of Italy with the renowned wine expert, tasting 6 exquisite Italian wines to be savoured alongside gourmet Tuscan bites.
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The fourth edition of The World in Florence, days dedicated to celebrating tourism, heritage, communities and sustainability, comes to Palazzo Coppini and Auditorium al Duomo from November 11 to 13. Curated by Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco – Life Beyond Tourism, more than 30 countries will be present, including new entries Gambia, Togo, Burundi, Sri Lanka, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mexico and Australia.
See the programmeThe British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) holds a meeting with author Amber Guinness on November 4 to discuss her recent release Italian Coastal. Vanessa Nicolson comes to the library on November 18 to talk about Florence, Ordeal by Water by Kathrine K Taylor. Music al British features pianist Misha Kaploukhii on November 12, with a piano recital by Chiara Saccone on November 26. Alan Pascuzzi leads fresco and oil painting workshops on November 9 and 23 as part of his ‘Making the Renaissance’ programme. The Wednesday Lectures Series sees Linda Falcone and Federica Parretti discuss ‘A painter’s Florentine Garden: Lola Costa and Il Palmerino’ on November 6, followed by Timothy Verdon on November 20 giving a lecture on ‘Grand Dukes and the Duomo façade’. Duncan Geddes finishes off the month with ‘An enquiry into images of the crucifixion’ on November 27. Bridge is weekly on Tuesdays, with afternoon tea served on Wednesdays.
Sotto al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) hosts life drawing led by Tom J. Byrne weekly on Mondays from 7-9pm, with long pose sessions on November 6 and 20. Lori Hetherington steers ‘Brainstorming for writers’ at 7pm on November 19.
Florence Leadership Academy hosts a free workshop and mix and mingle dinner titled ‘Leadership in Productivity’ from 6.30-10.30pm at Palazzo San Niccolò on November 20, with NYT bestselling author David Allen, author of Getting Things Done.
The Filippo Mazzei Foundation and the Tuscan American Association hold an Election Overnight event on November 5-6 for all those who wish to spend the night of the US elections in company, from 7pm to 6am, at via del Fosso Macinante 4. On November 6, there’ll be an election breakfast from 7.30-10am at Bar Libreria Campus at the Novoli Social Sciences Centre of the University of Florence. segretaria@mazzeifoundation.com
Creative People in Florence (via dei Serragli 58r) starts the month with Safe Cave, an art installation by Case Jernigan on November 1+2. From November 3-6, jewelry designer Ruici Huang will transform the space with a display of her fascinating conceptual works following her recent MFA program at Alchimia Jewellery School. Artisan Kirstie Mathieson hosts her popular monthly arts and crafts workshop for children aged 3-11 on November 20. From November 23-30 visitors to the space will find a colourful exhibition featuring unique pieces by 6 local artisans and designers including ceramics, home decor, clothing and more. Email creativepeopleinflorence@gmail.com
St Mark’s English Church (via Maggio 16) holds an Act of Remembrance service at the Florence War Cemetery at San Jacopo al Girone at 4pm on November 10.
Día de los Muertos is marked with pizza and tacos at The Social Hub on viale Spartaco Lavagnini from 7-10pm on November 2, with a gastronomic encounter between Mexico and Naples, combining colours, music and flavours, including a special selection of PatrónTequila, organized by Tavola Latina and The Tasty Guide.
La Nona Casa is an initiative by Cooperativa Sociale Fiordaliso ONLUS in cooperation with Around The Walk to raise funds for the renovation of a shelter for women and children who are victims of violence. Volunteers walk from Cuneo to Rome to collect donations and spread awareness through themed workshops. Welcome them at The Social Hub Florence Lavagnini, in Viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72, to listen to their experiences and support the project with PartyBag and music by Bioritmo.
Established in December 2022, SAPORITA Supper Club is an Italian-fusion dinner series held at the B.East art gallery in Sant’Ambrogio. Every few weeks, chef Sara Cagle serves up a new five-course menu combining Italian classics with international cuisines, from Korean to Mexican to Turkish, complete with wine pairings. Reservations are capped at 20 people, making SAPORITA a fantastic way to make friends if you’re spending an extended time in Florence. The next SAPORITA will be dedicated to Ottolenghi cuisine, held on November 2 1. Email sara@saracagle.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”. ...