Here’s our round-up for September 7-14, 2023.
Experience contemporary creativity in all its forms at Fabbrica Europa and the Mukki milk factory opens its doors for one day only. Make sure to check out the programme for September 10, the European Day of Jewish Culture. Here’s your best events of the week line-up.
Share your events with The Florentine: events@theflorentine.net
7 September 2023 - 17 September 2023
The popular contemporary circus festival returns, with this year’s theme being Eclettica. The “tribute to the incredible and multifaceted essence of human beings” manifests itself in ten days of contemporary international circus, concerts, world music, DJs, workshops, performances, coffee with the artists, a bar and food trucks in a fun-filled line-up that sees all kinds of everything.
The 30th edition of the creativity-centred festival sees music, dance, performing arts, and everything in between. With a contemporary vision, high-calibre national and international artists perform shows, concerts, site-specific creations, and lead workshops at venues like PARC Performing Arts Research Centre, Manifattura Tabacchi, Museo Novecento, Teatro Goldoni and Teatro Cantiere Florida.
Puppetry gets its moment as the festival led by Pupi di Stac sees 23 shows in 12 different municipalities, spreading from Florence to Reggello, Palazzuolo sul Senio and more. A journey into the magic of puppetry and all its complexities, a highlight this year is the collaboration with the Catalyst company for the special event at the Corsini Theatre in Barberino del Mugello, Giovanna d’Arppo. From Little Red Riding Hood to the Eco Monster Puppets, wooden pals put together shows for all ages. Florence-based sites include BiblioteCaNova and Villa Vogel park.
On September 7, Florentines flood into piazza Santissima Annunziata to celebrate the festival marking the birth of the Virgin Mary. The religious feast day sees children wield store-bought or handmade lanterns, reminders of when country-folk would make long walks into the city to pray and also sell products following the summer harvest. The popular traditional chant of Ona ona ona what a beautiful rificolona will be heard sung by all, with the official celebrations outlined at comune.fi.it.
Fratelli di Mare, Drogheria Italian Hamburgheria and Rosalía are the winning team behind a post-summer get-together that also serves as a welcome to Florence for newly arrived/returned students. Get to via Faenza 5R from 6pm on September 13 for a street food party you won’t want to miss. 15 euro will get you a salad, a seafood sandwich and a drink.
150 giant colourful animals run rife across the Barberino Designer Outlet in an open-air exhibition by Cracking Art. The works made from regenerated plastic will be placed along the river and all over the centre in tribute to the nature in which the centre is immersed. The free entry show is the perfect chance to take advantage of the great offers while enjoying the contemporary art creatures. Pick up a map at Guest Services to take part in the treasure hunt, with a sweet surprise awaiting you!
The Mukki milk factory opens its doors to the public for all kinds of cow-themed fun. With tours of the factory, cooking workshops for little ones and a whole host of other games and events, it’s a great chance for little ones to learn about how milk gets into their cereal bowls.
Pop rock icon Skin, the lead singer of London band Skunk Anansie, performs an exclusive DJ set of indie rock, house and electro sounds at Villa Vittoria on September 7 (free entry with a mandatory drink). In further events news, the venue kickstarts a new LGBTQUIA & Friends evening every Tuesday starting from September 5.
The Future of Intelligence conference will be held across the International Lyceum Club of Florence, The British Institute of Florence, and La Colonica del Palmerino, with panel talks on topics like object histories, aesthetics and perception, as well as featuring creative writing and movement workshops. All talks are held in English, with registration required via Eventbrite.
The popular urban festival uses the universal languages of music, food and conviviality, involving local, nationally renowned and even international artists from different cultures. Markets, bookshops and workshops for all ages add to the energy.
Popular Oltrarno store Formaggioteca Terroir is organizing a cheese and wine night at EDV Garden with a View on September 10. Savour a cheeseboard aperitivo buffet-style at the top of the garden with unique views over the cityscape. It’ll be open from 6.30-8.30pm and the cost is 45 euro (20 for garden entrance, 25 aperitivo buffet with wine). Book your spot (max. 25 people).
Free-entry piano concerts take place as part of the musical series curated by pianist Riccardo Sandiford. Now in its fifth edition, music by Prokofiev, Wagner, Puccini and more fills the museum space with unforgettable sounds.
The third edition of the short film festival returns with 13 titles on show, as well as masterclasses with professionals. The free admission film series takes place in the Oltrarno, and sees varied events as part of the programme.
If you didn’t manage to secure tickets for the Davis Cup in Bologna this month, there’s an alternative just 25 minutes from Florence. Polisportiva Curiel is hosting a free-entry top-tier tennis and padel tournament. From ‘80s and 90s disco nights to food trucks and opportunities for kids to try all sorts of sports, family fun is guaranteed every night, as well as community spirit in abundance.
16 Tuscan chefs put together their best dishes, all in the name of charity. The Italian Chef Night takes place at the centuries-old fortress built by Bernardo Buontalenti, with well-known names from the culinary world creating divine dishes. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
Tunes by Moderat (live), Paul Kalkbrenner (live), Peggy Gou, Amelie Lens and more can be heard in the new location of via Lucchese 181 as some of the world’s most sought-after DJ talents pack the electronic music festival.
The seventh edition of the international festival dedicated to Renaissance music organized by L’Homme Armé boasts 10 concerts, 7 talks, and 2 workshops in the line-up that takes place across various venues like the Museo Novecento, the San Marco Museum and the Church of San Bartolomeo a Ripoli.
Independent labels get their moment with alternative music at the centre of the showcase. Talks on all things music and workshops for all ages (including electronic music for children!), and of course, many musicians make up the programme.
Thursdays at the 25hours Hotel in piazza San Paolino are hopping with ‘Live at 25’: live music and DJs take to the outdoor courtyard from 7pm to 10pm/10.30pm for an evening of tunes in the chill setting. On Wednesdays, there’s a special offer on drinks: for the month of September, it’s Tequila! Aperitivi at the Alimentari dining space resumes on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-9pm (starting from September 8).
The centuries-old apertures in Florentine palazzi have long been a point of interest. These wine windows can be spotted all over the city, with a display of artifacts devoted to their history organized by the Buchette del Vino Cultural Association. Read more about wine windows.
The spectacular venue is filled with high-calibre music. A welcome drink adds to the experience, with an aperitivo overlooking the glorious gardens forming part of the unforgettable experience. From 9pm on September 11, the Maissa Duo and Eos Saxophone ensemble perform music by Karl Jenkins, Clint Mansell, Zbigniev Preisner, Jocelyn Pook. Cost: 50 euro. To book, email: concierge.vsm@belmond.com or call 055 5678200.
Seek the internationally renowned artist Liu Bolin among pictures of well-known Florentine sites. Known as “the invisible man”, Bolin blends himself into the instantly recognizable backdrops using body paint.
Artist Mark Petrasso is behind the Vintage Obsession exhibition, on display from September 9-30. For opening hours check www.markpetrasso.it.
7 September 2023 - 20 December 2023
The world-famous Chinese artist deals with the meeting of western and eastern pictorial traditions with 28 paintings never before exhibited in this hemisphere. Some paintings have even been specially created for the occasion, with reinterpretations of masterpieces from the Uffizi Galleries such as Caravaggio’s Medusa.
C.F. Contemporary Fire hosts an art residency in Cerreto Guidi with artists Lucien Anderson and Zoë Rivas Zanello, curated by Caterina Fondelli. An Open Studio Weekend will be held from 4.30pm on September 9-10, giving visitors the chance to explore the family environment and landscape in which the artists work.
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”. ...
