Best events in Florence this week

Here’s our round-up for May 22-29, 2025.

23 May 2025 - 25 May 2025
FESTIVALS

Firenze dei Bambini

The much-loved family fest returns for a packed programme of engaging activities for little ones in many of the city’s most spectacular spots, including a sleepover in Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, and Museo Stefano Bardini (sold out). This year’s theme is ‘Let’s build peace – The song of the world’, with hundreds of free entry activities all over, from Geronimo Stilton themed shows to the solar system and dance.

See the programme

Dario and friends at Cecchini in Città

Marking Dario Cecchini’s 50 years as a butcher, 25hours Hotel in piazza San Paolino hosts Dario in person along with other celebrated butchers. 50 euro ensures unlimited food and wine,  with a convivial style dining event. Lorenzo Chini brings his legendary hams, Riccardo Ricci and Moto Macellaio prepare delicious tacos, and Fabrizio Mazzantini, winner of the title Best Sandwich in Italy, presents his award-winning hamburger, along with other creations. All the Cecchini specialties, from meat and pasta to sandwiches and desserts will also be available.

Book your spot
24 May 2025
SUSTAINABILITY

Living Table and Only Usato Market

Manifattura Tabacchi hosts an artistic project by Susanna Stigler that combines performance and creativity. The programme includes origami workshops and the aquatic world of the Officina Botanica with Peggy in Florence and Susanna Stigler, and ‘Carta che vola!’ with Floor Robert, a poetic and participatory experience where manual skills become stories and art takes shared form. On the same day, make sure to check out the Only Usato Market, created by artist Katia Giuliani, on site from 11am to 8pm, were you can find second-hand and vintage pieces in a sustainability-centred shopping experience with a DJ set by Santamama, Etta Evans and Queen LaTipah.

Find out more
5 June 2025
GARDENS

Corsini Gardens Cultural Walk

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.

 

See more
29 May 2025 - 1 June 2025
FESTIVALS

Sale – Sant’Ambrogio in Festival

The much-loved neighbourhood celebrates community with a wide range of events bringing people together through food and more. The four-day event dedicated to Fabio Picchi honours locals and their output with artisan workshops, dinners, and cultural activities.

See more

Memorial Day Ceremony 2025

Every year on the last Monday in May, Americans around the world remember those who have fallen while serving in the U.S. military. In Tuscany, the community comes together at the Florence American Cemetery to pay their respects to the 4,392 U.S. servicemen and women buried there and to the 1,409 names of those still missing in action. The annual Memorial Day ceremony takes place on Monday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the Florence American Cemetery.

Register here by May 15
23 May 2025 - 25 May 2025
FILM

Perù Cinema Festival

The free entry Peru Cinema Festival brings the best of contemporary Peruvian productions to the big screen. All screenings are in original language with Italian subtitles.

See the programme
28 May 2025
CRAFTS

Meet the artisans at Il Bisonte

Dive deeper into finely crafted Tuscan artisanal leather goods with a special meet-the-artisans event taking place from 11am to 6pm.

See more
28 May 2025 - 2 June 2025
WINE

Toscanello d’Oro

Six days celebrating wine, the territory, and culture include special guests like Irene Grandi, Paolo Ruffini and Orietta Berti as part of the 56th edition of the festival. The programme also includes activities for little ones, as well as music, culinary challenges and a historical procession. There’s even a padel tournament at the Polisportiva Curiel and the 10km Toscanello race.

See more
24 May 2025 - 25 May 2025
VINO

Cantine Aperte

Wine lovers make their way to the many wineries that open their doors for a weekend showcasing the best that Tuscany’s vineyards have to offer.

See more
From May 26
CULTURE

The Season at NYU Florence

The Season at NYU Florence begins May 26, with the enchanting Accademia degli Assetati orchestra, famous for spirited interpretations of composers from Brahms and Boccherini to David Bowie and Bruno Mars. On May 29, renowned scholar Michael Lamb will discuss his vital book A Commonwealth of Hope, a reinterpretation of St. Augustine’s political views that received rave reviews in everything from The Wall Street Journal to the Review of Metaphysics.

See the programme
24 May 2025 - 25 May 2025
LITERARY

TAM Festival

The first edition of the festival dedicated to independent publishing and illustration creates a network between local, national and European publishers and creative figures, as well as featuring a line up of creative activities for all ages, talks and interviews.

Find out more
Until June 29
PHOTOGRAPHY

Razza Umana

A selection of 500 faces from the immense visual archive of 100,000 visages photographed by Oliviero Toscani and his students and collaborators goes on display in homage to the renowned artist.

See more
15 May 2025 - 2 August 2025
EXHIBITION

Dissolvenze - Corrispondere al tempo

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.

See the exhibition
10 May 2025 - 14 June 2025
CHILDREN

Pollicino Verde

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.

See the programme
8 May 2025 - 6 June 2025
MUSIC

Italia Tosta

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.

Northern Cincinnati Youth Orchestra

At 7pm on May 28, the musicians of the Northern Cincinnati Youth Orchestra perform under the direction of Marva Rasmussen and Carolyn Quinn in a free-entry concert.

10 May 2025 - 8 August 2025
EXHIBITIONS

Humanitas – The strength of love

9 bronze installations by sculptor Andrea Roggi go on display in the internal cloister, made using the lost wax casting technique. The expressive works represent the Tree of Life and dialogue with the sacred setting.

Find out more
Until August 31
PHOTOGRAPHY

Vertigine - Franco Zampetti

A selection of photographs of the Cathedral of Florence goes on show in the Libreria Brunelleschi, with free admission. The seven large-format shots highlight the Cathedral’s beauty, with the Baptistery, Giotto’s Bell Tower, and various angles captured by Franco Zampetti.

Find out more
2 May 2025 - 27 June 2025
CONCERTS

Baroque Festival Florence

14 concerts see talented musicians in spectacular venues, including some that are not usually open to the public, like the Chapter House of Santa Felicita that features frescoes from the Giotto school.

See more
3 May 2025 - 8 June 2025
EXHIBITIONS

Di mondi lontanissimi

After ten years, artist Guerilla Spam returns to Florence with over 30 works formed from the idea of reconstructing the lost cycle of frescoes created by Pontormo for the Basilica of San Lorenzo in the mid-1500s, moving between space and time and darkness and colour to very distant worlds.

Find out more
17 April 2025 - 31 August 2025
EXHIBITION

Time for Women!

Time for Women! Empowering Visions in 20 Years of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women’ is an exhibition showcasing the works of nine winners of the prize from 2005 to today: Margaret Salmon, Hannah Rickards, Andrea Büttner, Laure Prouvost, Corin Sworn, Emma Hart, Helen Cammock, Emma Talbot and Dominique White, covering painting, video, sculpture and installation and themes such as dentity, memory, the body, society and politics.

See more

Experiences

Tours + Experiences

Live ‘La Dolce Vita’ with Artviva

Enjoy exclusive access to renowned museums, palaces, and private estates. Delight in gourmet experiences with Michelin-starred chefs, from cooking classes to wine tours, foraging and truffle hunts. Ch...

Tours + Experiences

Create Your Own Perfume in Florence!

Join renowned perfumer Silvia Madari for a one-of-a-kind perfume-making experience in the heart of Florence! Discover the art of fragrance as Silvia guides you through the world of scents, helping ...

Tours + Experiences

Prato tasteful walking tour

This itinerary is the smartest walking our of Prato, where the passion for art meets taste. Our exclusive walking tour of Prato allows you to enjoy the artitstic heritage of ...

Tours + Experiences

Discover Hidden Florence Tours

Join Linda Sassano Higgins, Licensed Italian Tour Guide, and discover Florence’s hidden secrets: from her Roman origins to saving her artistic heritage during WWII and the flood of 1966. Customized ...

LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE