Many museums offer free, or nearly free, entry for European Night of Museums, while Good Bike! gets cycling lovers pedaling to the Cascine.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
Here’s our round-up for May 16-23, 2024.
Many museums offer free, or nearly free, entry for European Night of Museums, while Good Bike! gets cycling lovers pedaling to the Cascine.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
The European Night of Museums coincides with International Museum Day, organized by ICOM (International Council of Museums), on May 18. Many of the city’s most celebrated cultural venues open their doors with free, or nearly free, entry (a tokenistic 1 euro is requested by some), and late opening hours offer an atmospheric gallivant around galleries. Sites participating include the Uffizi Galleries and the civic museums of Fiesole, while others host events on May 17, such as La Specola which gives a guided tour for kids at 5pm (booking required at www.sma.unifi.it). The Opera del Duomo museum will be open for free from 7pm to midnight, (no reservations required, last entry at 11pm) presenting the added perk of a preview of drone images of the Sala del Paradiso to mark the occasion.
See the participating museums
Music, art and design, shopping, sport, talks and workshops, food and drinks and kids’ activities all come together in a new weekly event at Manifattura Tabacchi. Every Thursday from 6pm, a wide ranging programme will sees something for everyone, with this Thursday including the Tiny Artistic Homes installation in Maker Street, the cultural association Il Paracadute di Icaro will give a reading for little ones, there will be a tasting of Tuscan organic products offered by the producers themselves and Fàbera hosts a workshops at 7.30pm called Create Your Jewelry Using the Lost-Wax Technique. Of course, there will be excellent aperitivos on offer, with DJ sets, yoga classes, art exhibition and manicures forming part of the varied offering.
The city’s Ferris wheel celebrates the departure of the Tour de France from Florence with a free-entry event dedicated to all bike lovers. Talks on road safety, performances by professionals and many activities for little ones make up the programme. Cataach acrobatic BMX shows, bike polo and more, with music and a food court completing the experience.
Find out more
Three itineraries lead participants through the lesser-known sites of the UNESCO awarded historic centre, exploring the architecture, history and landscapes, taking in the gates, towers and fortresses that have stood strong for centuries. The free events taking place until May 26 are aimed at young people and adults, and last two hours. Walks in Italian are held at 11am, with an English language version at 3pm. The routes explore the historic walls that trace around the city, with a particular look at the San Gallo area, with another route weaving towards San Miniato. The programme of walks forms part of the Firenze Forma Continua project, organized by the Florence World Heritage and UNESCO Relations Office together with MUS.E, with the aim of spreading knowledge of the city’s history.
With the financial support of the Ministry of Tourism “UNESCO Sites and Creative Cities Fund.
World leaders, policymakers and field experts gather at the European University Institute and the Palazzo Vecchio for the 14th State of the Union conference from May 23 to 25. The schedule of events promises to be enlightening and informative, focusing on sustainability, Europe’s digital transformation and how to strengthen democracy across the continent, coming on the eve of the European elections, which adds to the importance of these issues. Throughout the conference, the EUI will host some of Europe’s most high-profile political and academic names, including current and former national politicians, members of the European Commission and renowned scholars, to discuss the most pressing issues that face Europe today. Speakers include the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo di Sousa, and Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Minister of Communications and Digitalisation in Ghana, as well as Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank. The talks and roundtables will centre on in-person sessions and simultaneously live-streamed online. With speakers from all over Europe, as well as beyond, the event will demonstrate the EU’s collaborative efforts in addressing issues as diverse as artificial intelligence, the path to sustainability and industrial policy. Networking and social opportunities will accompany the more educational aspects of the event, which will take place mostly at the EUI Campus in the hills to the north of Florence, while on the afternoon of Friday, May 24, the talks move to Palazzo Vecchio. On the final day, May 25, the Historical Archives of the European Union and Villa Salviati open to the public, with guided tours upon registration. From circus activities for all ages to concerts by musicians from the Fiesole School of Music, the occasion also sees readings of selected archival documents.
See more
The biannual vintage clothing and accessories market raises funds for File (Fondazione Italiana di Leniterapia), a charity working to assist those with serious illnesses and their families. The last edition raised 70,000 euros, with this ninth iteration bound to feature the usual treasure trove of high-quality clothing, accessories and items for the home. 11am to 6pm, free entry.
Find out more
The third edition of Cantieri Montelupo, the artist residency programme curated by Christian Claiandro, involves the artists Anna Capolupo, Maria Palmieri, Roxy in the Box and Alessandro Scarabello, together with ceramists Ceramiche d’Arte Ammannati, Patrizio Bartoloni, Ivana Antonini (with the collaboration of Marco Ulivieri) and Stefano Bartoloni. As part of the edition, a permanent site specific installation will be inaugurated on the embankment wall of the Pesa river in Montelupo Fiorentino,
Legendary Frank Conforti sings Fred Buscaglione on May 23 and 24 in the rich background of House of Nine as diners enjoy a chic dinner and eclectic cocktails. There’s also access to the billiard and cigar room, for an evening of exceptional music and culinary artistry.
Book your table
The Restoration Conversations online series continues at 6pm on May 16, with Linda Falcone in conversation with National Central Library conservator Alessandro Sidoti and Natacha Fabbri, co-curator of ‘Women of the Skies, from Muses to Scientists’, on location at the exhibition. Broadcast on YouTube @calliopeartsrestoration.
Tune inVideo work by Federico Tiezza is inspired by the 1903 novel of the same name by Henry James. The director, playwright and visual artist explores the story of May and John, with actors Anna Della Rosa and Graziano Piazza and photography and editing by film director Nicola Bellucci.
Find out more
The Social Hub (viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70-72) host a festive line-up in the courtyard titled Ciao Estate. The free entry programme includes poetry readings, book presentations, stand-up comedy and DJ sets. This week sees Cotton Club at 6.45pm on May 16, an aperitivo and DJ set from 6pm on May 17, a book presentation with Naturangi on May 19, and stand-up comedy by Galligani and Raco on May 23.
See the full programme
Concert of classical music by the string orchestra Accademia Degli Assetati followed by the opening of an Art & Photography Show in the Limonaia of Villa La Pietra, by artists and NYU lecturers Alessandra Capodacqua, Jacopo Santini, and Andrew Smaldone. 6pm, reserve by emailing lapietra.reply@nyu.edu or T: 055 5007 210.
Find out more
Four evenings of fine music in the riverside heritage library
Vivid colours and textile art come to the fore in the Andito degli Angiolini.
Budding artists use neon-coloured paints to decorate their canvases whichever way they choose.
Starting at 8pm, this weekly series of special dinner shows is bringing evenings alive in Florence.
Ten exhibitions from May until February 2025 explore the texts, prints and manuscripts that trace the history of the master architect and painter, including the various editions of his most famous literary work, Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects.
Find out moreWaste materials from Tuscan artisan companies are transformed into artworks for the annual exhibition event organized by Fondente Arte and this year in collaboration with Artex. The events is designed to inspire and educate about sustainability using the communicative power of art, created by the collective formed by Benedetta Chiari, Vittorio Venturini aka Liber, Luca Bongini aka LUHAAA, Cristina Mariani, Chiara Mastrangelo, Adele Pennetta, Elisa Pietracito, Rinascimento Punk and Irene Rovani.
Find out more
Villa La Massa welcomes its Sunday brunch menu, with the Il Verrocchio restaurant offering both guests and the public an unforgettable gourmet experience in the greenery of the Florentine countryside. to guests and the Florentine public. The exclusive buffet presents a selection of local culinary delights, focusing on fresh, high-quality products. There are even surprises planned involving food and wine producers, as well as special entertainment for kids, so keep an eye on their events lined up this season. 90 per person, drinks included, or 60 euro per child under 12. For further information and reservations, contact +39 05562611 or ristorante@villalamassa.it.
Book your table
On May 22 Cib’aria will immerse participants in a sensorial Ottolenghi journey with sparkling recipes, good wines, a sophisticated music selection, poetry readings, and a little game to understand what drives people so crazy and so curious about Ottolenghi world. For those who want to learn and replicate the recipes home, there will be a cooking class at 6.30pm, for everyone else dinner starts at 8.30pm, surrounded by contemporary art and beauty.
See more
La Fierucola brings the best of biodiversity with crafts and homemade products by small-scale producers filling up stalls in popular piazzas. The Fierucolina is held in piazza del Carmine from 9am to 2pm on May 12, and in piazza Santo Spirito from 9am to 7pm on May 19.
See more
Soccer fans will be keeping a keen eye on the action at Florence’s stadiums, with this month seeing Fiorentina vs Cagliari (Campionata Primavera) at Viola Park on May 4 with the women’s Serie A Fiorentina vs Juventus match on May 6. Fiorentina take on Monza (Serie A) at Stadio Artemio Franchi on May 12, with Fiorentina playing Sampdoria at Viola Park on May 18 as part of the Campionata Primavera. Fiorentina then play Napoli (Serie A) at the Stadio on May 19. We advise you to check the times online, as they are subject to change.
Get your ticketsPollicino Verde is a series of nature-themed free activities for 0-6-year olds in various sites in the city from May until June.
See the full programme
Curated by Rebecca Olsen and Alexandra Rojas, photographs by the American artist, Diane Fox, examine the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural world. Inspired by historical paintings in the Uffizi Gallery, the animal portraits are captured on a larger-than-life scale.
See more
Tenuta Vignamaggio nestled in the Chianti hills host everything from Christmas card making to wreath workshops, with the chance to craft your own festive centrepiece and even cyanotype botanical workshops ...
Are you a small business or team looking for the perfect way to celebrate the festive season? At Hard Rock Cafe Florence, in the spirit of ‘All is One’ and ...
The Art of Style, created by Lady Kendra, is a space where art, fashion, wellness, and personal transformation come together. The gallery is designed as an immersive experience, from rotating ...
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”. ...
