Events are back with a bang this September with new energy in this (almost) post-summer period.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
Here’s our round-up for September, 2023.
Events are back with a bang this September with new energy in this (almost) post-summer period.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
From September 22, the Firenze Film Festival comes to the Astra Cinema, with the international short film festival available with free admission and in original language with Italian and English subtitles.
Astra Cinema show David Lynch’s The Straight Story in the original language with Italian subtitles from September 4, inspired by the true story of Alvin Straight and his journey through the heart of rural America aboard a small lawn tractor.
Firenze Film Festival
The 30th edition of the creativity-centred festival sees music, dance, performing arts, and everything in between. With a contemporary vision, high-calibre national and international artists perform shows, concerts, site-specific creations, and lead workshops at venues like PARC Performing Arts Research Centre, Manifattura Tabacchi, Museo Novecento, Teatro Goldoni and Teatro Cantiere Florida.
Awe-inspiring artisans bring their wares to the stunning setting, with a new selection of exhibitors in the grandiose gardens. This year, all those under 25 will have free access, with workshops on site for all. Don’t miss the live demonstrations, and make sure to take a look at the creations made by young people with disabilities. A special competition titled ‘Blogs & Crafts, Young Artisans and the Web’ is aimed at crafters under 35, and there’s a collaboration with the Ferragamo Foundation with private visits organized.
La Fierucola brings their much-loved market to piazza del Carmine from 9am to 2pm on September 10, with piazza Santo Spirito getting its turn on September 17, to the delight of organic food and craft lovers.
Market in Borgo Pinti
Cloister of the Santa Maria Maddalena de’Pazzi Church
Organized by Ortinterrazza cultural organization, committed to greenery and all things natural, quality craftsmanship will be on display as well as delectable bio products. There’ll be a portraitist on-site in addition to the local wines, honey, and extra virgin olive oil available. Creative workshops, a ‘Repair party’ for clothes needing a little love, a Kamishibai show and Vivoli gelato add even more interest.
September 23-24; free entry with booking and prices for workshops at T:3483348144
IG: @ortinterrazza
On September 7, Florentines flood into piazza Santissima Annunziata to celebrate the festival marking the birth of the Virgin Mary. The religious feast day is when children wield store-bought or handmade lanterns, reminders of when country-folk would make long walks into the city to pray and also sell products after the summer harvest. The popular traditional chant of Ona ona ona what a beautiful rificolona will be heard sung by all, with workshops held by Heyart in Giardino dell’Orticoltura on September 6 (info.heyart@gmail.com) and the official celebrations outlined at comune.fi.it.
The lyrical melodies of Mozart, Rachmaninov, Chopin, Scarlatti and Esdì can be heard throughout the city and beyond as skilled musicians mesmerize audiences in locations like the Murate Art District, Institut Français Firenze and the Cherubini Conservatory of Florence.
PianoNovecento – Museo Novecento
Free-entry piano concerts take place as part of the musical series curated by pianist Riccardo Sandiford. Now in its fifth edition, music by Prokofiev, Wagner, Puccini and more fills the museum space with unforgettable sounds.
September 7+9
I Poeti del piano solo – Opera del Duomo Museum + Sala Vanni, piazza del Carmine
The fourth edition of the festival dedicated to solo piano performances features international talents Yaron Herman, Nik Bärtsch and Isfar Sarabski playing in atmospheric settings, bound to be unmissable!
September 28-30
Mascarade Concert Season – Palazzo Corsini al Prato
The Trio Interval plays Mozart and Mendelssohn with a ticket giving you access to the Fondazione and Corsini Gardens (weather permitting) and including a glass of wine to add to the experience.
September 28; from 6pm
FloReMus
The seventh edition of the international festival dedicated to Renaissance music organized by L’Homme Armé boasts 10 concerts, 7 talks, and 2 workshops in the line-up that takes place across various venues like the Museo Novecento, the San Marco Museum and the Church of San Bartolomeo a Ripoli.
September 1-17
Sagrati in Musica Sotto le Stelle
Outdoor concerts galore are held in Florence’s churchyards until September 15. Anything from jazz to classical, rock and even electronic music can be expected.
Until September 15
Orchestra della Toscana brings back their Musica Diffusa series, which sees free-entry classical concerts in various venues from September 22.
The Trio Interval plays Mozart and Mendelssohn with a ticket giving you access to the Fondazione and Corsini Gardens (weather permitting) and includes a glass of wine to add to the experience.
The popular contemporary circus festival returns, with this year’s theme being Eclettica. The “tribute to the incredible and multifaceted essence of human beings” manifests itself in ten days of contemporary international circus, concerts, world music, DJs, workshops, performances, coffee with the artists, a bar, and food trucks in a fun-filled line-up that sees all kinds of everything.
Fratelli Burattini
Puppetry gets its moment as the festival led by Pupi di Stac sees 23 shows in 12 different municipalities, spreading from Florence to Reggello, Palazzuolo sul Senio and more. A journey into the magic of puppetry and all its complexities, a highlight this year is the collaboration with the Catalyst company for the special event at the Corsini Theatre in Barberino del Mugello, Giovanna d’Arppo. From Little Red Riding Hood to the Eco Monster Puppets, wooden pals put together shows for all ages. Florence-based sites include BiblioteCaNova and Villa Vogel park.
September 9-October 1; free entry
Mukkilandia
The Mukki milk factory opens its doors to the public for all kinds of cow-themed fun. With tours of the factory, cooking workshops for little ones and a whole host of other games and events, it’s a great chance for little ones to learn about how milk gets into their cereal bowls.
September 10
Popular Oltrarno store Formaggioteca Terroir is organizing a cheese and wine night at EDV Garden with a View on September 10. Savour a cheeseboard aperitivo buffet-style at the top of the garden with unique views over the cityscape. It’ll be open from 6.30-8.30pm and the cost is 45 euro (20 for garden entrance, 25 aperitivo buffet with wine). Book your spot (max. 25 people).
Concerts, talks and performances are in dialogue with the serene setting. This year’s theme is hospitality, with the likes of rapper Ghemon, geologist Mario Tozzi, Japanese band Taiko Drummers and American singer-songwriter Zola Jesus allowing audiences to discover the beautiful basilica in a whole new way. Add to the experience with workshops, performances, tours, and lectures, all free of charge with reservations required.
The popular urban festival uses the universal languages of music, food and conviviality, involving local, nationally renowned and even international artists from different cultures. Markets, bookshops and workshops for all ages add to the energy.
Dream bigger and better! Celebrate World Dream Day by taking the time to explore your goals at Hotel Savoy’s Irene Bar with themed finger foods, drinks and artwork by the artist behind this month’s cover of The Florentine, Inna Morozova. Using artificial intelligence to craft oneiric and surreal depictions of Florence and the Hotel Savoy in oil paintings and video art, the A Florentine Dream exhibition will continue for a month. Book your spot (26 euro, 6.30-8.30pm): enquiries.savoy@roccofortehotels.com
Fratelli di Mare, Drogheria Italian Hamburgheria and Rosalía are the winning team behind a post-summer get-together that also serves as a welcome to Florence for newly arrived/returned students. Get to via Faenza 5R from 6pm on September 13 for a street food party you won’t want to miss. 15 euro will get you a salad, a seafood sandwich and a drink.
Works by one of the greatest exponents of 20th-century photography, Robert Mapplethorpe, are on display alongside shots by Wilhelm von Gloeden, among the pioneers of stage photography, with a selection of photographs from the Alinari archive.
The British Institute of Florence resumes their ever-popular Wednesday Lectures Series with Mark Roberts speaking on September 6 about Palazzo Lanfredini, both in-person at Lungarno Guicciardini 9 and via Zoom. This is followed by a Castiglion del Bosco wine tasting on September 13, Elaine Ruffolo on the Black Death on September 20, and Kevin Murphy on Gesture in Renaissance Art on September 27. A conversation with Christian Levett will be held at 6pm on September 21 in a special event, while social bridge starts a new season every Tuesday at 2.30pm and Afternoon Tea is served weekly on Wednesdays from 4-5pm.
SOTTO al British (lungarno Guicciardini 15) hosts brainstorming for writers led by Lori Hetherington at 7pm on September 19, while life drawing with Tom J. Byrne is held on Mondays from 7-9pm. Artist Mark Petrasso (www.markpetrasso.it) is behind the Vintage Obsession exhibition, on display from September 9-30.
St Mark’s English Church Opera brings audiences to via Maggio 16 on September 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 for The Marriage of Figaro. Tickets cost 40 euros, with each act explained in English.
Female Arts in Florence host a sustainability-focused research and design event from 6pm on September 22, with a ceramics course in both English and Italian on September 23. A free public speaking workshop will be led on September 26, with Vittoria Colonna’s Shamanka exhibition opening at 6.30pm on September 28, featuring a live performance. An open day of free-entry workshops for children kicks off from 10.30am on September 30, with tickets bookable via Eventbrite. @femaleartsinflorence on FB and IG
St. James Episcopal Church reopens their Children’s Lending Library (via Bernardo Rucellai 9) on Thursdays (4.30-6.30pm) and Sundays (10.30am-12.30pm) with their dedicated Facebook page outlining all their family-fun activities. The Thrift Shop Sale is held on the last Wednesday of the month, from 9.30-11.30am on September 27.
Speakeasy Multilingual host their weekly happy hour from 8-11pm on September 6 at Fiorino sull’Arno. 15 euro gets you two drinks, or 10 euros for one. Meet locals and international folk from around the world, with all languages welcome. RSVP requested.
The Future of Intelligence conference will be held across the International Lyceum Club of Florence, The British Institute of Florence, and La Colonica del Palmerino, with panel talks on topics like object histories, aesthetics and perception, as well as featuring creative writing and movement workshops. All talks are held in English, with registration required via Eventbrite.
September 8-10
Ostello Bello holds an Open Mic Night every Tuesday from 9pm and Karaoke on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Tunes by Moderat (live), Paul Kalkbrenner (live), Peggy Gou, Amelie Lens and more can be heard in the new location of via Lucchese 181 as some of the world’s most sought-after DJ talents pack the electronic music festival.
The centuries-old apertures in Florentine palazzi have long been a point of interest. These wine windows can be spotted all over the city, with a display of artifacts devoted to their history organized by the Buchette del Vino Cultural Association.
The world-famous Chinese artist deals with the meeting of western and eastern pictorial traditions with 28 paintings never before exhibited in this hemisphere. Some paintings have even been specially created for the occasion, with reinterpretations of masterpieces from the Uffizi Galleries such as Caravaggio’s Head of Medusa.
20th-century avant-garde masterpieces from the Philadelphia Museum come to Palazzo Blu, with the likes of Chagall, Dalì, Duchamp, Kandinsky, Mirò and Picasso alongside Matisse, Mondrian, Klee, Ernst and Gris. The dazzling display spans from the Belle Époque through to the outbreak of the Second World War.
16 Tuscan chefs put together their best dishes, all in the name of charity. The Italian Chef Night takes place at the centuries-old fortress built by Bernardo Buontalenti, with well-known names from the culinary world creating divine dishes. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Fiorino Mud400 An incredible bike-packing adventure brings participants to discover Tuscany in an adrenaline-packed way, undertaking either the 400km or 100km course.
September 23-24
Curiel Tennis Open
Pontassieve
If you didn’t manage to secure tickets for the Davis Cup in Bologna this month, there’s an alternative just 25 minutes from Florence. Polisportiva Curiel is hosting a free-entry top-tier tennis and padel tournament. From ‘80s and 90s disco nights to food trucks and opportunities for kids to try all sorts of sports, family fun is guaranteed every night, as well as community spirit in abundance. September 7 to 17
Corri La Vita
Sport, culture and solidarity are together again for the latest edition of the fundraising event dedicated to the treatment of breast cancer. Depart from viale Lincoln alle Cascine and get to piazza della Signoria, undertaking either the 6km or 11km courses, with a 10-euro donation requested. Wearers of the t-shirts will have free access to many cultural destinations.
September 24
