Festivals in Florence

Festivals in Florence bring to mind lots of fireworks, parades, feasts and celebrations. What it probably doesn’t conjure up is medieval games of sport where anything goes in a costumed display of pure machismo.

Every year on June 24th, the people in Florence celebrate Saint John’s Day. Not only are there fireworks displays, massive galas, and large processions – there’s also a game of old school (really old school) football, where each historic quarter of the city pits teams against each other inside Piazza Santa Croce.

Other Florence festivals are less barbaric, like Maggio Musicale, which is the city’s biggest arts and music festival featuring everything from opera and ballet, to modern dance and classical concerts. There’s also Musica dei Popoli, which celebrates folk music and has been bringing artists together since the late 1970s.

For antiques lovers, there’s the Mostra Mercato Internazionale dell’Antiquariato, where you can find international vendors peddling lost treasures from around the world.

Regardless of what you may be looking for, there are plenty of festivals throughout the year in Florence that celebrate major holidays, religious history, or just reasons to drink wine, and whenever you’re in the city, there will be something for you to enjoy.