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Here’s our round-up for December 5-12, 2024.
Although AILO was conceived in 1974 as an extension of the Ladies’ Guild of St. James American Church, it was officially transformed into the American League of Florence in 1975. ...
Teatro Niccolini will show the new musical 'Rachmaninoff and the Tsar' and a screening of 'White Nights' with the movie's stars in attendance.
A dazzling performance by the skilled ballerinas of the Romanian National Opera on December 22.
A wide array of screenings provides a platform for filmmakers to share their unique narratives and creative visions of India with a global audience, with over 20 films on the programme that are all Italian or European premieres. In addition to its cinematic offerings, the festival includes cultural events, making it a holistic celebration of Indian culture, with talks, cooking shows and more.
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Videomapping on Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio gathers gazers to share in the Christmas spirit. Lights spread the cheer all over the main squares and monuments of the city, with decorated trees adding to the joy. There’s a wide range of activities organized both in the centre and suburbs, above all aimed at families, and even Santa Claus and his elves show up to enjoy festive Florence.
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Stand by for the official start of Christmas! On December 8, the city’s spectacular fir trees will be switched on in all their splendour. The traditional lighting of the trees is scheduled for 5.30pm in Cortile di Michelozzo, Palazzo Vecchio, followed by 6pm in piazza del Duomo, 6.30pm in piazza della Repubblica and 7.30pm at piazzale Michelangelo. The Nordmannian firs were donated to the Municipality of Florence by Coldiretti Toscana in partnership with the Giorgio Tesi Group and in collaboration with the Tuscan Regional Council, ranging in size from 11-13 meters high. 59 smaller trees will be spread across Florence.
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The artisanal workshops led by the “prince of antique dealers”, Stefano Bardini, and his son Ugo in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are the subject of an exhibition that journeys through the tradition of woodwork. Focusing on the artisanal expertise and production that made the Bardini workshops famous, the exhibition displays period objects and accessories which fascinated international patrons attracted to the dream of the Italian Renaissance.
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Photographs by Piero Percoco, curated by C41, go on display in Building 11. The photographer and teacher at Leica Akademie Italia has been exhibited in both national and international galleries and festivals such as Dusseldorf Photo Weekend, as well as having been published in the likes of The New Yorker, Vogue Italia and Rolling Stone magazine.
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The holistic wellness club celebrates its fourth annual Christmas Souk with a signature seasonal market featuring local vendors and artisans, with bites provided by Shake Café.
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N.I.C.E. (New Italian Cinema Events) partners up with Irish Film Festa to bring Irish cinema to Italy as part of the 50 Days of Cinema programme. Director Luke McManus will be present at the screening of his film North Circular, a musical documentary that follows Dublin’s North Circular Road. Then there’ll be Lisa Mulcahy’s Lies We Tell, based on Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s gothic novel, Uncle Silas. From 7-11pm, COSPE Onlus will be present with solidarity gifts that can be purchased to support their projects in Lebanon and Palestine.
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For the whole month of December, the stores and ateliers offer a special shopping atmosphere and calendar of events for all ages. On the weekends of December 7-8 and 21-22, Building 9 will host the Creative MANI-Factory market, organized by the Heyart association, dedicated to emerging creativity. From food and wine tastings to designers and illustrators, the sales of one-off pieces will be enhanced by dance performances, exhibitions, music by Bioritmo and more, not forgetting workshops for little ones like ‘Today I print like Warhol’, bookmark making, and festive readings.
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The American International League of Florence hold their popular Christmas Bazaar, raising funds for local charities. The special edition that takes place ahead of their 50th anniversary sees a vast range of clothes, accessories, bric and brac, books, Christmas decorations and more to get into the spirit of giving.
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Savour musical plays Rachmaninoff and the Tsar on December 6 and 7, with pianist Filippo Gorini on December 8 performing Berg and Beethoven.
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The Christmas market in the stunning setting raises funds for Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia, a charity working to assist seriously ill patients and their families. The 21st edition of the market features high-quality clothing, accessories, design items, fragrances, cosmetics, food, wine and more, with delicious Panettone and Pandoro for sale as well as lottery tickets with prizes. There’ll even be a File Café refreshment point set up in the Ninfeo del Palazzo.10am-7pm. Free entry
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The Christmas village returns to spread its festive cheer! The 55-meter high Ferris wheel and 1300 square meter ice-skating rink (the largest in Italy!) are usually accompanied by an exciting lineup of (soon-to-announced) unmissable events. (Ferris wheel until March 31)
Find out moreA market-fair features free tastings, a DJ set and more, celebrating winemakers from all regions and abroad. Explore different styles and winemaking techniques with no shortage of talks and guided tastings.
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Works by Daniela De Lorenzo (1959) go on show in dialogue with pieces by 19th century sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini, inaugurated on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and as part of the L’Eredità delle Donne festival. The exhibition offers a visual encounter between ten female busts by Bartolini and studies by the Florentine artist on the female body, made using photography, video sculpture and installations.
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The British Institute of Florence (lungarno Guicciardini 9) hosts an open-to-all free entry Christmas Fair from 3-6pm on December 6, where stalls sell books, unique handmade gifts and goods, as well as a tea and cake station. Elaine Ruffolo then speaks about ‘Feasting in the Renaissance’ on December 11.
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The swanky Cinema Paradiso screens a series of Christmas Classics this December with popcorn thrown in for good measure and an intriguing drinks menu. The lineup includes much-loved favourites like Home Alone, The Grinch, and Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday.
See moreCome to see Santa and stay for the secondhand toys, comics, dolls and other playthings, with shows for kids and more.
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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.
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Paintings by the American artists Kamille Corry and Nancy Sandler Bass go on show in the idyllic setting that was formerly the home of English author Vernon Lee and subsequently the painter-couple Federigo Angeli and Lola Costa.
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The exhibition explores the extensive knowledge that Europeans gained about different environments and the flora and fauna of the world between 1500 and 1800. The display is the result of a collaboration between the European Research Council Project ‘Capasia: The Asian Origins of Global Capitalism’ based at the European University Institute and the Biblioteca Riccardiana.
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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 ...
