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Here’s our round-up for June 5-12, 2025.
The New Generation Festival returns to Florence this June 11-15 for five spectacular days and nights of world-class cultural entertainment. The NGF 2025 invites audiences from as little as 10 euro to experience the magic of Florence through a programme that spans opera, ballet, jazz, chamber music, rediscovered sacred choral masterpieces and so much more, all brought to life by young talents from across the globe. Set in some of Florence’s most historic locations, this year’s edition brings the roar of the 1920s jazz age, with shows including Le Grand Hôtel de l’Opéra, Les Ballets Russes à Florence, The Birth of Swing, all at Teatro della Pergola. The festival will begin with a free open-air concert of bel canto arias and orchestral masterpieces from the Accademia del Maggio Musicale and the Mascarade Opera programme in piazza della Signoria on Wednesday, June 11, at 7pm.
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A free entry Japanese Film Festival brings everyday life to the big screen, as well as the horrifying atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the occasion of the 80th anniversary.
See the programmeThe first Recreos Festival will take place from June 6 to 8. For three days, via Palazzuolo and via Maso Finiguerra will become an open-air urban lab. The Recreos space will also be inaugurated at via Orti Oricellari 6, acting as a neighbourhood concierge for residents and families, and a listening centre for those who want to contribute to the local transformation. The space will feature a family village help desk, an information point, a florist and a small exhibition space that will showcase on a rotating basis some of the organizations that responded to the public call launched last December. Friday highlights include the opening of the first pop-up by FAF (Female Arts in Florence) at via Palazzuolo 41–75R, an exhibition by Street Levels Gallery and a neighbourhood dinner starting at 7pm with live music organized by the Anelli Mancanti organization. Saturday’s activities include an artisan market by Creative Factory along via Maso Finiguerra and a participatory urban planning workshop to envisage a shared vision for the neighbourhood. Via Maso Finiguerra will be temporarily transformed into a piazza for three days dotted with deckchairs and including family fun activities.
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International brands in the sport, lifestyle and fashion sectors come to the pop-up store at Building B12. Open daily from 10am to 8pm, a month of sample sales features products from Canadian, Colors of California, Reef, Teva, Coral Blue, Womsh, Crocs, HeyDude, Norda, Cotopaxi, Ipanema, Nalho and Scholl.
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Visitors are immersed in the life and works of Leonardo as the former church is transformed by a video projection divided thematically into his biography, use of colour, painting, engineering, knowledge of anatomy, and innovation in water and air. An educational section in the crypt showcases models of da Vinci’s machines, there’s a mirror room with a magical kaleidoscope of his works, and even a virtual reality experience where visitors find themselves “using” his inventions.
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Guns N’ Roses, Korn, Green Day and many more artists are all set to perform at the Visarno Arena on June 12, 13 and 15 for Firenze Rocks, the festival that transforms Florence into the capital of international rock. Guns N’ Roses open the festival on Thursday, June 12. For 2025, the Village will once again be the nerve centre of the festival with entertainment, curated food and beverage stands, and spaces dedicated to relaxation and socializing. There’s also a kids’ area, designed to ensure fun and safety for the youngest attendees.
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National and international musicians take to the stage of the Roman Amphitheatre, with classical, pop, jazz, prose and dance as well as a quality film festival.
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Four different free itineraries in Italian and English take you to discover lesser-known Florence. As part of the Firenze Forma Continua project, corners of the historic centre and the views and stories of Florence that often go untold are the subject of walks that vary from Porta San Gallo to the Oltrarno and San Miniato al Monte.
An event dedicated to queer and neoburlesque performances highlights artistic freedom, inclusion and creativity. Produced by Sylvie Bovary and hosted by Freaky Candy, the motto of “Abandon all expectations, ye who enter here” serves as an invitation to the intriguing lineup. Free with reservation required via Eventbrite.
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With its picturesque location above Florence, Fiesole is a candidate for Italian Capital of Culture 2028. 17 events structured around its Etruscan routes, natural landscapes and artistic treasures from May to October introduce lesser-known aspects to the public. June 7 sees a visit to the Balducci Foundation, June 14 is titled ‘Along the path of water,’ June 21 is a journey into the art of Primo Conti, and June 28 explores the Garibaldi area and the Etruscan tombs.
See the programmeAn illustrious jury consisting of Beatrice Monti della Corte, Andrea Bajani, Alberto Manguel, Maaza Mengiste, Maylis de Kerangal and Colm Tóibín awards international authors for the 19th edition of the prestigious prize, announced at the Cenacolo of the Santa Croce complex. A series of events surrounds the occasion, including a reading by Bulgarian writer Georgi Gospodinov and conversations between the finalist authors and the jury.
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Magnificent Medici Villas and other stunning spots provide the backdrop for classical music performances. Blending the arts, history and nature, new venues this year include Giardino Bardini and Forte Belvedere.
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A Roman Garden installation pays homage to the archaeological research of Greve in Chianti and is a gift from the sister estate, The Newt in Somerset, which presented the same installation during the Chelsea Flower Show last year. With free admission, you can take an audio guide tour of the idyllic setting that serves as a journey through time.
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Literary lovers rejoice as the 8th edition of the book fest sees over 100 special guests across the 5 days of events, including meetings with authors, talks, readings, presentations and more, all while enjoying a panoramic view. Free admission.
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The Tempo Reale format sees innovative contemporary music on the electroacoustic scene, with experimentation, sound and electronics by the likes of French composer Pierre Jodlowski and pianist Małgorzata Walentynowicz. Locations for performances include Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Villa Strozzi, and the Frittelli Contemporary Art Gallery.
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The well-known figure on the contemporary comics scene is the subject of a journey through political and cultural legacies.
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On June 13, piano virtuoso Boris Berman is in concert, followed by Venetian singing sensation Giada Valenti on June 14. On June 21, Inna Faliks delights audiences with performances of Tchaikovsky, Ravel and more, and don’t miss The Sound of Music 60th anniversary screening with members of the cast on July 5!
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Don’t miss the Corsini Gardens Cultural Walk at 6pm on June 5 with Sabina Corsini and Neri Torrigiani, including an aperitivo of Principe Corsini wine. Minimum required donation 100 euro, which will go directly towards restoring the Loggia del Buontalenti. Reservation required by May 26. Book your spot: info@artigianatoepalazzo.it.
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A packed programme for little ones aged 0-6 brings kids closer to nature with many parks and gardens in the city open their gates for free-entry workshops and readings.
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Works by the duo Simoncini. Tangi curated by Valentina Gensini go on display in the Murate Art District, with the works exploring invisible transformations and continuous change. Immersive, site-specific installations can be visited with free entry.
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Manifattura Tabacchi (via delle Cascine 35) hosts performances and concerts from May 8 to June 6 as Italia Tosta explores new sound languages and radical experimentation. Dedicated to contemporary music research, the festival shines the spotlight on artists and composers who rewrite the boundaries of musical expression. Emiliano Maggi performs on May 8, followed by Jonáš Gruska – Axis Mundi Sound on May 16, Nobile on May 22, Elvin Brandhi in collaboration with Nub, OOH-Sounds and Affektenlehre on May 30, and De’ Lamperi on June 6.
