Here’s our round-up for December 28-January 4, 2024.
Ring in the New Year in style with the city sure to satisfy those seeking to celebrate. The culturally-inclined will find plenty of activities to pop into your calendars this week in Florence.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
Concerts are set for six squares this New Year’s Eve, with each dedicated to a different musical genre. You’ll struggle to pick between the Gospel choirs of Musart (The Pilgrims, the Academy Singers Choir and the Maryland Gospel Singers) in piazza San Giovanni, the jazz of Circolo Exwide in piazza Santissima Annunziata, the Toscana Classica orchestra in piazza Santa Croce, the pop orchestra of Anfiteatro 2010 in piazza del Carmine, the Music Pool traveling marching bands in Oltrarno, and the centre stage for New Year’s Eve being in piazza della Signoria, where well-known Italian singer-songwriter Diodato performs as part of an evening of music and entertainment that includes opera, magic and singing, in collaboration with the Andrea Bocelli Foundation. All performances will be held from 10pm to 1am, except for piazza Santa Croce where they take place from 10.45pm to 1am.
A Christmas exhibition of sacred art works and artefacts from the churches and museums of the Florentine diocese is on display in Palazzo Vecchio’s Sala delle Udienze, curated by Sergio Risaliti. Three sculptures from the 15th to 18th centuries will be on show, coming from the Santa Maria Novella Complex, the Museum of Sacred Art and Beato Angelico of Vicchio and the Parish Church of Santa Maria in Settignano.
Marking the 15th anniversary of the Acquario della Memoria association, a new cycle of “walking cinema” tours spans stories from Etruscan and Roman times up to the 1970s. Guided tours reveal the stories of the city’s walls and medieval Pisa, exploring sites such as the church of San Zeno and the mystery of the Roman amphitheater.
The historic Nativity scene at Villa La Quiete can be visited on Sundays at 10.30am and 11.30am until January 7 (reservations are required at 055 2756444, email: edu@sma.unifi.it). The festive display on the Castello hill is a fascinating trip through Medici history, organized by the Florentine University Museum System.
From December 8 to January 7, video mapping on the Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio gathers gazers to share in the Christmas spirit, with the theme of this year’s light festival being ‘The Winter Garden’, urging viewers to care for the planet. Promoted by the City of Florence, curated by MUS.E and with artistic direction by Sergio Risaliti, the visuals and sounds were created by Stefano Fake and The Fake Factory, with the video projection on the facade of Palazzo Vecchio down to HELLO!, with Alessandra Ioalé, created by Francesco Cacchiani. The citrus trees in the garden of Palazzo Medici Riccardi will also receive original lighting with a Christmas tree decorated in collaboration with the Leon Battista Alberti art school. The historic towers, gates and other sites will be specially illuminated, including the facade of the basilica of San Marco, the Rinascente store and the central market in San Lorenzo. An installation by Nico Vascellari titled OLTRE is an exciting addition this year, set up in the Palazzo Vecchio’s Sala D’Arme.
The popular ice skating rink pops up from December 8 to January 15, said to be the largest rink in Tuscany. Skaters dash through the spectacular setting from 10am to midnight. While there, don’t miss the chance to take a spin on the 55-meter-high panoramic wheel, which will be on site from December 8 to June 10. Not a fan of heights? There’s a fabulous Christmas village with specially curated activities for families and children, as well as plenty of food stalls and more. The fun doesn’t stop there! From May 1 to June 10 there will be other attractions in place of the Christmassy-vibes, taking on a spring theme.
The art event involving the entire city of Pisa sees murals all over, as well as exhibitions at Palazzo Blu, and an installation inside the Spina Church. Artists involved include Kobra, who explores the Avant-garde and Bauhaus in a street-style, and Gonzalo Borondo from Spain whose poignant installation is sure to be a highlight.
Settle into Cinema La Compagnia to enjoy six Disney films from the 1960s and 70s, including Mary Poppins, and Pete’s Dragon screened in Italian. 5 euro full, 4 reduced. 7 euro for film and snack (one companion free). There’s a free ticket for customers of Lìlà Toys, with a store receipt, and there’s a 10% discount for a purchase from Lìlà Toys upon presentation of your cinema ticket.
A calendar of free guided tours at some of the city’s historic sites takes place until January 7, taking visitors through lesser-known areas of the centre and exploring the reasons why the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, focusing on the areas around Porta San Gallo and San Miniato al Monte. Email: info@musefirenze.it.
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...
