EVENTS

Florence's major festivals include the Explosion of the Cart, when a cart full of fireworks is exploded in front of the Duomo (Easter Saturday), and the Feast of St John the Baptist, the patron saint of the city (24 June). The lively Gioco del Calcio Storico, featuring football matches played in 16th-century costume, is held in June in Piazza della Signoria and ends with a fireworks display over Piazzale Michelangelo.

Florence's public holidays include Liberation Day (25 April), Labour Day (1 May), the Feast of the Assumption (15 August), All Saints' Day (1 November), the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December), Christmas and the Feast of Santo Stefano (26 December).

Public Holidays
26 Dec - Festa di Santo Stefano (St Stephen's/Boxing Day)
25 Dec - Natale (Christmas Day)
15 Aug - Assunzione (Feast of the Assumtion)
1 May - Giorno del Lavoro (Labour Day)
25 Apr - Giorno Della Liberazione (Liberation Day)
Mar/Apr - Venerdi Santo (Good Friday) & Pasquetta/Giorno dopo Pasqua (Easter Monday)
1 Jan - Anno Nuovo (New Year's Day)
6 Jan - Befana (Epiphany)
1 Nov - Ognissanti (All Saints' Day)
8 Dec - Concezione Immaculata (Feast of the Immaculate Conception)


When to Go

The best time to visit Florence is in the low season, from April to June and in September/October, when the weather is usually good, prices are lower and there are fewer tourists - if you come in July or August, expect a Renaissance Disneyland experience and plenty of sweat in your socks. Early winter, in December, can also be surprisingly pleasant, with crisp air and sunny days and far, far fewer people clogging up the piazzas.