September sets off at full speed with an events calendar that characterizes the city’s creative calling.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
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Here’s our round-up for September 2024.
September sets off at full speed with an events calendar that characterizes the city’s creative calling.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
International contemporary circus is at the centre of this fun-filled fest, with companies like Circo El Grito, Chapiteau Instabile and Samova RoulotteTeatro delighting audiences with awe-inspiring acrobatics and creative tricks. Concerts, cabaret, DJs, workshops and even the Jugglers’ Olympics intrigue audiences.
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The acclaimed arts and crafts fair, Artigianato e Palazzo, returns to the Corsini Gardens at Palazzo Corsini al Prato from September 13 to 15, marking a 30-year milestone under the theme of Restoration. This year’s fair features a group exhibition promoted by Artex and curated by Jean Blanchaert, set up in the Limonaia, designed by Studio Lavanguardia. Elisa Guidi, coordinator of Artex, elaborates, “The theme celebrates the important milestone of the 30th anniversary. We worked on the number 30, which in numerology symbolizes creativity as an expression and development of the intellect, and the number 3, which symbolizes perfection…We chose 30 Tuscan companies that will exhibit three pieces each.” To inspire the younger generation, the Ferragamo Foundation is organizing free workshops, giving children a glimpse into the world of craftsmanship through wicker weaving and wallpaper making. When lunchtime arrives, head to Orto delle Monache, where you’ll find a generous selection of food trucks. A minimum donation of 10 euro is requested with free admission for those under 30.
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Panzano in Chianti
Winemaking excellence is celebrated as prestigious wineries reveal their stories and passion in a series of events organized across 23 participating venues of the Unione Viticoltori di Panzano in Chianti, with over 80 high-quality wines available for tasting.
September 13-15
Various vineyards
Wine cellars open to the public for the highly anticipated vino-filled events that are the pinnacle of the wine harvest. Organized by Movimento Turismo del Vino Toscana, take the chance to sample delicacies like schiacciata con uva, the traditional autumnal treat made with bread and grapes.
September and October
The Horne Foundation celebrates Giorgio Vasari 450 years after his death with a series of initiatives such as drawing courses for adults, guided tours, and family-friendly activities inspired by the frescoes in the Sala Grande of the Florentine home of the renowned Renaissance painter, art historian and biographer.
See moreWorks by nature photographer Valter Bernardeschi go on display in the Sala Pistelli, with his animals and landscapes mesmerizing viewers. The exhibition shares some of his shots that have been published in magazines such as National Geographic, inviting audiences to deepen their ecological awareness.
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One of the most important events on Florence’s cultural calendar dedicated to Italian art is set to return with 80 galleries and 14 prestigious international participants. The 33rd edition of BIAF will be housed on the banks of the Arno at Palazzo Corsini from September 28 to October 6. Following a successful 2022 edition that attracted over 25,000 visitors, the 2024 iteration is expected to impress, showcasing the best in ancient, modern and contemporary Italian art.
Find out moreJeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
FirenzeOnStage at Teatro Niccolini opens its season with Jeff Goldblum’s storied career that spans 6 decades of award-winning work as a starring actor in film, television and theater. An accomplished jazz pianist, Goldblum launched the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra 30 years ago. Since then, he and his band have performed for delighted audiences throughout the United States and all over the world playing contemporary arrangements of classic jazz and American songbook standards. September 20+21; 8.30pm.
Iacopo Meillie and Federico Piras play hits by the Fab Four on the panoramic rooftop of Palazzo degli Affari in honour of the surprise live gig the Beatles played on a rooftop in London in 1969. Reservation is required for the free entry performance by emailing firenzeanni80@gmail.com. September 17; 7pm.
The sounds of plants and souls vibrate in national premieres by young musicians at the Certosa as part of the third edition of the festival organized by La Filharmonie from September 8-29. A focus this year is given to Hildegard of Bingen, the mystic and philosopher of the Middle Ages, with crystal bells meeting electronics in the darkness of the crypt.
The eighth edition of the events series completely dedicated to music of the 15th and 16th centuries sees concerts and workshops from September 1-20 in some of the city’s most beautiful historical locations, such as the San Marco Museum, Istituto degli Innocenti, and the Cenacolo di Sant’Apollonia.
Organized by NEM_Nuovi Eventi Musicali from September 6-14, the programme contains memorable performances in various venues such as Cristina Donà who interprets Nick Cave’s most-loved ballads, accompanied by orchestra and piano at Forte Belvedere.
Cities are at the centre of the works that covers painting, sculpture, architecture, photography and music by artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. A vast variety of artistic interpretations dives into how the city landscape has been expressed by the likes of Le Corbusier and Gerhard Richter, through various mediums.
See the exhibitionVarious venues
The European Researchers’ Night is marked with a series of scientific events that are open to all, with a particular attention to budding researchers. The Europe-wide public event displays the diversity of science with the chance to try your hand at experiments and various other surprises spread across the city. This year’s theme is #BRIGHTWomen, with a focus on research dedicated to promoting women’s well-being.
September 27
University of Florence
It’s test tubes, pipettes and fossils galore for the science fest organized by OpenLab, with various campuses taking turns to offer talks and activities on topics like volcanoes, prehistoric monsters, alien plants, sharks and dinosaurs. Take part in visits to places like the Natural History Museum and the Botanical Gardens, with the Social Sciences campus in Novoli offering more games, demonstrations and workshops.
September 13+18
Contemporary creativity is at the core of the multidisciplinary fest that seeks to share arts and knowledge, via an international lineup of shows, concerts, performances, site-specific installations, talks, workshops, and theatre. This 31st edition marks a new collaboration with the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Foundation for the inaugural weekend, bringing together some of the most acclaimed international artists and companies on the contemporary scene.
See moreOver 37,000 people took to the streets last year for the non-competitive running event which this year reaches its 22nd edition, held on September 29. Winding from the streets of the Cascine Park to the Loggia dei Lanzi in piazza della Signoria, funds raised go towards the prevention and treatment of breast cancer with participants wearing green this year with Ferragamo designed T-shirts. A mobile mammogram unit offers tests, with nutritionists, doctors and fitness instructors hosting a series of events in the Health Village in piazza della Repubblica from September 27-29.
Florence’s first wellness summit, ‘Sweat, Soma Soul’, at The22 on via de’Ginori 22 on September 21 sees participation from special guests such as Emilie Goldblum, Betty Soldi and Danae Mercer, covering everything from yoga and fitness to art, astrology, kirtan and more, all with an aperitivo for added sociability and lunch by Shake Café. For tickets email the22events@gmail.com, with early bird pricing if booked before September 10.
Three adventures are available for adrenaline seekers, with gravel, mountain biking (MTB) and electric bikes undertaking the monumental challenge on September 21 of 400km from Hu Norcenni Girasole Village to Figline Valdarno, heading towards the PuntAla Camp and Resort in Maremma and returning to Figline on September 22. 70km and 100km options are simultaneously undertaken, exploring the Valdarno territory. The whole weekend will be one to remember, with food and music as athletes and fans unite.
Viola fans return to the stands at the Artemio Franchi Stadium and Viola Park as the new Serie A season gathers heat. September 15 sees the local team take on Atalanta, with Lazio up next on September 22. They then face Empoli on September 29. The women’s team plays Sampdoria on September 21.
Curiel Tennis + Padel Open
If you haven’t managed to secure Davis Cup tickets in Bologna, there’s an alternative just 20 minutes from Florence. Polisportiva Curiel sports club in the pretty town of Pontassieve is hosting a free-entry top-tier tennis and padel tournament from September 5-15. A ‘90s disco, Bollywood night and book presentations are just part of the family fun events lineup.
Seekers of secondhand are sorted with the Only Usato used and vintage clothes markets hosted in various sites in the city. Markets take place this month in: Atollo 11am-8pm, September 8, Il Conventino Caffè Letterario 12 noon-8pm, September 15, Yellow Square Florence September 22 and Frigo September 29. Created in 2015 by artist Katia Giuliani as a sustainable project that would give everyone the opportunity to empty their wardrobes and put unwanted clothes, accessories and small household objects back into circulation, the markets not only cover an array of styles and eras, but are made all the more memorable by DJ sets, workshops and themed events on the topics of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Food and drinks are often on offer, providing sustenance for dedicated shoppers. The popularity led to a parallel project being launched in 2020, the Only Usato Boutique, which is a pop-up curated collection of clothing and accessories that make their appearance for ten days a month and sometimes by surprise, in Katia Giuliani’s studio, a charming and bright open space in the Santo Spirito neighborhood (ground floor of Frigo, via della Chiesa 27). Here, you can shop sustainably surrounded by beautiful plants, enjoying the great music and chats, benefitting from Katia’s valuable advice and providing a future for previously loved fashion.
See moreThe playwright and the psychiatrist are the subjects of the newest exhibition at MAD, as part of the Estate Fiorentina calendar. The visual materials and objects focus on their fight to raise public awareness and facilitate the closure of “mental asylums”, as well as celebrate the moment of closure of other asylums, such as in Imola in 1997, when Scabia and psychiatrist Peppe Dell’Acqua spread salt on the ground to signify that nothing should grow in that place of suffering.
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The spiritual venue is expressed through music and words, with this year’s theme focusing on the relationship between humankind and nature. Special guests include the Strega Prize-winning author Donatella Di Pietrantonio, with a performance at dawn by Barcelona-born artist Andrea Motis.
See the programmeThe British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) returns with its popular cultural programming, kicking off with a piano recital by Kyle Hutchings on September 10. The Wednesday Lectures Series resumes with Mark Roberts’ ‘How Florence won my heart’ on September 11, followed by Anne Copley delivering a talk titled ‘The Girl with a Peach’ on September 18. Alexandra Lawrence then details ‘Boccaccio’s Decameron in Florence’ on September 25. The Lungarno Chats episode on September 17 sees Morgan Fiumi speak with Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist. A Poggio Torselli wine tasting is on September 19, with Phelan Burgoyne and Edoardo Ferri performing a jazz concert on September 26. Bridge is weekly on Tuesdays, with afternoon tea served on Wednesdays. The European Day of Languages is marked on September 28 with a multi-sited game organized by four language institutes in the city centre, with language courses up for grabs. Held from 3-7pm. (giornataeuropeadellelingue@gmail.com).
Sotto al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) hosts life drawing led by Tom J. Byrne weekly on Mondays from 7-9pm, with Lori Hetherington steering ‘Brainstorming for writers’ on September 17.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, brings memorable music to the panoramic setting with a jazz concert by the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole on September 11. September 18 will be a creative calligraphy experience with Betty Soldi, rediscovering the art of handwriting, followed by an aperitivo. A mixology evening on September 19 is in collaboration with Portofino Dry Gin and a DJ set on Tuesdays from 7-10pm.
L’Orto delle Zucche, Tuscany’s autumn theme park, returns from September 20 with an American-style pumpkin patch. The field in front of the Fienile Rosso in Valdarno Fiorentino becomes peppered with pumpkins, which you can decorate, bring home, or dine on with pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes, ensuring the full taste of fall.
St Mark’s English Church (via Maggio 16) has a harvest festival from 10.30am on September 15 as an opportunity to give thanks for the things we receive, expressed through a collection for Progetto Arcobaleno, a local group offering practical help to those on the margins of society. Following the service, there will be a bring-and-share lunch. A free concert takes place at 3pm on September 20 by Phillip Dyson.
Alice Libreria (viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70) hold ‘Sip and Paint’ at 9pm on September 19, with the free entry open-to-all book club meeting at 9pm on September 28 to discuss Gabriel García Márquez’s 100 Years of Solitude, which can be read and discussed in whatever language you prefer. IG @libreria_alice
Lady Kendra of The Art of Style on via Romana 142/via dei Serragli 137 hosts intimate conversations on Mondays from 7-9pm, treating a different subject every week. Mindfulness & Movement is on Wednesdays from 9-11am, with meditation and yoga followed by a sound bath with a focus on a different chakra each session. Aperitivos are hosted from 7-10pm on Fridays to introduce potential members to the space/gallery as a safe place for the community. A 20-euro donation to The Substitute Society is requested for participation. A free entry gallery showcase for the local artist of the month is from 7-10pm on the first Friday of every month.
The Social Hub (viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72) welcomes new arrivals to Italy with a ‘Viva L’Italia’ party on September 20, with food, live music, drinks and more. There’s a rooftop DJ set on Thursdays, with the full programme of fitness sessions, breakfast meet-ups and a wide range of workshops viewable on their Instagram @thesocialhub.florence
Hotel Indigo Florence, in collaboration with El Duomo Magazine, host a lively Spanish Fiesta at the Binomio restaurant from 6pm on September 19. The event promises an authentic experience with typical Spanish dishes such as Paella and Tortilla de Patatas and a Sangria lesson, followed by lots of partying and many other surprises. 25 euro per person. IG @hotelindigoflorence and @elduomo_magazine.
Manifattura Tabacchi (via delle Cascine 35) displays works by renowned photographer Massimo Listri from September 28, with a DJ set by Bioritmo on September 19. The Urban Dialogues series organized by the city’s libraries will be held on September 29, providing an opportunity for conversation to unite different perspectives and voices on the theme of urban space and its evolution. The same day, ‘The Cigar Makers’ Trekking’ will take place from Sant’Orsola to Manifattura Tabacchi, with a free guided tour of the complex. The Festival della Nuova Città by Fondazione Micheleucci is from September 26-28, with guided tours of the Caveau former factory space continuing on September 7, 21 and 26.
A dinner at Borgo Machiavelli for Democrats Abroad will be an evening to remember at the 500-year-old villa in Sant’Andrea in Percussina, via Scopeti 64, as funds are raised for Democrats Abroad’s voter assistance activities. The event on September 21 starts with a tour of Machiavelli’s place of banishment, where he penned his masterpiece, The Prince, followed by a multi-course Tuscan-themed dinner with whimsical games, a silent auction and a talk by Professor Riccardo Bruscagli. Carpooling is offered, with all proceeds benefiting Democrats Abroad’s Voter Assistance. Email info-it-central@democratsabroad.org for info. The ticket price is a donation of 130 dollars, with RSVP by September 10.
La Fierucola brings the best of biodiversity with crafts and homemade products by small-scale producers filling up stalls in popular piazzas. The Fiercolina takes place in piazza del Carmine from 9am to 2pm on September 8 and in piazza Santo Spirito on September 15, with all things bread-based at the market-fair from 9am-7pm on September 8 in piazza Santissima Annunziata.
Community darkroom CAMERA38! leads a two-day event dedicated to analog photography on September 28-29, bringing you the opportunity to create a cynatope booklet cover in collaboration with Lotta Bindery Books. Brooklyn-based photographer Angela Jones then takes you through the creation of photos through the wet collodion technique.
Welcome to The Art of Style, where art, fashion, wellness, and personal transformation come together. The gallery is designed as an immersive experience—from rotating art exhibits and transformative clothing to ...
Wednesday Lecture at The British Institute of Florence 22 January at 18:00 Federica Parretti, the current custodian of Il Palmerino, will share insights into the life and art of her ...
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”. ...
Create your personalized perfume with perfumer Silvia Madari as she guides you through the secrets of fragrances. Book into one of our open workshops or create a private experience for ...
