Best events in Florence this week June 27-July 4, 2024

MP5 - The Third Dimension

The site-specific work commissioned to celebrate the museum’s tenth anniversary unfolds along the walls of the two loggias, with a line of black and white figures forming a frieze in MP5’s distinctive style.

Tour de France

On Saturday, June 29, the Tour de France, the world’s most prestigious cycling race, will start in Italy for the first time in its 111-year history, commencing with the Florence-Rimini stage, dedicated to the memory of the great Italian cyclist Gino Bartali. Cyclists take a scenic route through the city centre of Florence and beyond prior to the official start from Bagno a Ripoli, with a calendar of events adding to the excitement. The Teatro del Maggio opera house opens as a meet-and-green centre, with a world-wide broadcast from piazzale Michelangelo.

Trattoria Guiana

Trattoria Guaiana opens in Villa Romana, “a convivial, participatory table to explore what it tastes, looks and feels like to live in a society where tradition is no longer used for ‘othering’ people and instead, it learns from every voice that contributes to its reality”. The project stems from the significant historical erasure of the attempt by the Medici to colonize the Amazon in 1608, with flavours and sensorial experiences supporting the cultures and natures that contribute to Italian tradition and identity but are still excluded from it. Guided tastings, experimental dinners, kitchen-counter chats and community conversations are designed to challenge the traditional notion of Italian identity.

Red, white and blue party

Celebrate American Independence Day at The Florentine’s red, white and blue themed cocktail party, from 7-9pm on July 4, at Hotel Savoy Florence in piazza della Repubblica 7, costing 45 euro per person. Reserve your spot: enquiries.savoy@roccofortehotels.com.

Leonardo Meoni – Gli altri colori purtroppo, sono tutti caduti

A number of works by the Italian artist were especially created for the unique spaces of the Stefano Bardini Museum, integrating with the eclectic collection. Curated by Sergio Risaliti, Meoni’s works unusually feature velvet, reflecting on lightness and darkness and the concept of time.

Return Home – Lola Costa al Palmerino

Explore the evolution of artist Lola Costa over the course of the 20th century through paintings, drawings and poetry, while examining her life as an expat British woman in Florence. The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of her death, and aims to commemorate the legacy of her Tuscan hillside home.

Bicycle Film Festival

Manifattura Tabacchi hosts the Bicycle Film Festival on June 28 and 29, with free film screenings and more to celebrate cycling. This is my moment will be shown on June 28, a film about Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, as well as a film about a family who gives up everything to travel by bike across Europe, and many more.

Ville e Giardini Incantati

The 8th edition of the classical music series sees concerts in various Medicean villas in Tuscany, with audiences treated to performances by the Orchestra della Toscana in venues like the villas of Cerreto Guidi, Seravezza, and Pratolino Park. Mozart, Beethoven, Mendlessohn and Prokofiev are the composers conjuring their magic, with guided tours of the villas for an added cultural experience. Tickets from 10 euro (with free entry for some events), via TicketOne.it

Louise Bourgeois

Two exceptional exhibitions of Paris-born and New York-inspired artist Louise Bourgeois’ works – Do Not Abandon me and Cell XVIII (Portrait) – come to the historic venues.

Heritage Walks

Florence Dance Festival

The 35th edition of the Florence Dance Performing Arts festival, is all about love, “I love dance, you love dance, we all love dance!” The spectacular circular stage in the historic setting sees international and national stars. This week sees the ‘Florence Dance Platform – stage for new generations of artist’ on June 27, with Linga Companies performing Semâ at 9.30pm on July 3 in the cloister of the Santa Maria Novella complex, with choreography by Katarzyna Gdaniec and Marco Cantalupo.

Dinner and live music

Enjoy dinner in the Tuscan hills with live music on Friday and Saturday nights at the Tre Rane Restaurant on Ruffino’s Poggio Casciano estate. Our advice: get there around 7pm to savour the sunset in the gardens with a complimentary glass of Ruffino wine.

Music and more at Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel delights with a varied calendar in the picturesque hilltop setting in Fiesole. A creative calligraphy experience with Betty Soldi on July 3 brings you to rediscover the art of handwriting with a floral flair, followed by an aperitivo. A classical concert by students of the Fiesole Music School will be held on July 10 and 24, with a mixology evening on July 25 and August 28.  Contact concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055 5678200 to reserve your spot, and don’t forget that every Tuesday Villa San Michele hosts a DJ set by the Pool Bar, from 7-10.30pm.

Ciao Estate

The Social Hub on viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72 continues their fab free entry summer programme titled Ciao Estate in their atmospheric courtyard. The programme includes poetry readings, book presentations, stand-up comedy and music, with this week seeing a stand-up comedy gig with Galligani and Kagliostro on June 27 and July 2 will be cardio trekking for Corri La Vita.