Florence Special Events
Diladdarno, Apr or May, three-week celebration, including music, exhibitions and street festivals, Altrarno (website: www.diladdarno.it)
Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart), Easter Sunday (Mar-Apr), colourful procession of ox and cart, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display when the cart (lit by a mechanical dove) explodes at 1100, through central Florence to Piazza del Duomo
Settimani dei Beni Culturali, Apr, state museums throw open their doors for free, state museums throughout the city
Festa del Grillo (Festival of the Cricket), Ascension Day (Apr-May), bizarre ancient ritual in which live crickets in hand-woven cages are given to loved ones, Parco delle Cascine
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (May Music Festival), Apr-Jun, major music festival with orchestra, chorus and Corps de Ballet, Teatro Comunale (website: www.maggiofiorentino.com)
Fiesole Summer Festival, Jun-Sep, dance, music and theatre in Fiesole Roman theatre (website: www.estatefiesolana.it)
Calcio Storico (Football in Costume), 24 Jun, football game in medieval dress, as part of celebrations for the city's patron saint, St John, Piazza Santa Croce (website: www.calciostorico.it)
Festa di San Giovanni (St John's Day), 24 Jun, another aspect of celebrations for the saint's day, involving a ceremonial procession from Palazzo Vecchio, while there is a large fireworks display at night on Piazzale Michelangelo, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo
La Rificolona (Festival of the Lanterns), 7 Sep, a torchlight procession dating back to the days of religious pilgrimage to celebrate the Virgin's nativity, with children carrying lanterns all over the city, throughout the city
Firenze Marathon (Florence Marathon), fourth Sun in Nov, annual city marathon from Piazzale Michelangelo to Piazza San Croce (website: www.firenzemarathon.it),
Oleovagando (Olive Oil Festival), Nov-early Dec, celebration of the new olive oil season with tours, tastings and openings of olive oil presses in and around Florence, various locations (website: www.oleovagando.it)
Tours of Florence
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