Red Hot Dates

The Dalì Universe

Thanks to the exhibition The Dalí Universe Florence, Florence will host more than 100 works by the Catalan Master; if you have never been to Figueres or visited another museum where the artist’s works dominate, creating a different and surreal reality, this is definitely a unique opportunity to learn even the lesser known aspects of the great artist’s work.

Medici Riccardi Palace - 1st February - 25th May 2013

Luxury and Elegance. The French porcelain at court and the Ginori Factory (1800 - 1830)

The exhibition is dedicated to the first thirty years of activity of the Ginori factory, a Europe-wide phenomenon thanks to the intense exchange that characterized the first three decades of the nineteenth century with the French manufacturers, particularly with Sèvres.

Museo degli Argenti, Palazzo Pitti: 19th March – 23rd June 2013

The Springtime of the Renaissance. Sculpture and the Arts in Florence 1400-1460

The exhibition proposes to illustrate, in theme-based Sections, the origin of what is still known today as the "miracle" of the Renaissance in Florence, doing so principally through masterpieces of sculpture, the branch of figurative art in which that new season first saw the light of day.

Palazzo Strozzi: 23rd March – 18th August 2013

In the splendour of the Medici family. Pope Leo X and Florence

The Medici Chapels Museum, the splendid and precious architectural gem situated in the Basilica of San Lorenzo complex, hosts the exhibition "In the splendor of the Medici family. Pope Leo X and Florence" that recalls the coronation of the first pope of the Medici family, John, son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, retracing his steps and his legacies in the arts for the hometown in a period of astonishing cultural creativity between Florence and Rome.

Cappelle Medicee 26th March – 6th October 2013

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Founded in 1933, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is one of the oldest music festivals in Italy, and one of the most important  European Music festivals. It features two months of opera, concerts, ballet and exhibitions at Florence's renowned Teatro Comunale and Teatro Goldoni.

Teatro Comunale, from April to June 2013

77° ART - The International Handicrafts Trade Fair

An event which hosted the most important master craftsmen of history inside a privileged space, where tradition and innovation merge to create extremely valuable handmade products.
Every year, here you can admire the works of the ancient Florence workshops, as well as remote arts which are being rediscovered through the fair itineraries, following a harmonious path among the Italian regions and the countries of the whole world. (http://www.mostraartigianato.it)

Fortezza da Basso, 20th - 28th April 2013

La Fiorita. Commemoration of Savonarola's death: adornment with flowers

The Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola, prior of San Marco and a stern moralizer, was burnt at the stake in Piazza della Signoria on 23 May 1498. Every year, on the anniversary of that date, a Mass is celebrated in Palazzo Vecchio in his memory, and flowers – the Fiorita – are laid on the spot where he was burnt. The ceremony is accompanied by music and a performance by flag-wavers.

The traditional “Fiorita”: the homage starts al 10:30 am from piazza della Signoria with the “Infiorata” and the historical procession arriving at Ponte Vecchio at 11:00am where petals of roses are symbolically thrown on the Arno

Piazza della Signoria 23rd May 2013

Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Testosterone abounds when four teams of 27 youths apiece face each other during the Calcio Storico. This entertaining 15th-century-style tournament of fighting and football is held in Florence's Piazza Santa Croce.
The game itself is said to originate from an ancient Roman ball sport, which became the sport of princes and noblemen in the golden age of the Tuscan capital. Today it is fiercely fought between the four Florentine quarters: San Giovanni, Santa Maria Novella, Santo Spirito and Santa Croce.

Piazza S.Croce, June 2013 (various dates)

Opera Festival

The annual Opera Festival offers a series of performances from June to August. Opera Festival is one of the most particular and fascinating musical events in Italy. It has taken place since 2004, featuring high quality performances in attractive and enchanting venues. Every year, Opera Festival transforms fascinating, typically Tuscan places into natural theatres where the audience can enjoy the excellence of music - as well as the enchantment of the Tuscan landscape. The Boboli Gardens of Florence and San Galgano Abbey are among the selected venues for this great festival.

Boboli Gardens, from 1st July to 30th August 2013

The Renaissance Dream

The exhibition is an international initiative having as its partner the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris. For the first time the multi-faceted theme of the dream, which had a special importance in the ancient mythology and culture of the Renaissance, is proposed to the public.

Galleria Palatina (Palazzo Pitti): 21st May – 15th September 2013

The Great Prince. Ferdinando de 'Medici (1663-1713) art collector and patron of the arts

This exhibition celebrates Ferdinando de’ Medici who never ascended to the throne. This hereditary prince, less known of the other Grand Dukes, expressed high-level patronage typical of the family, demonstrating keen curiosity and refined taste for the creative forms of Baroque. Both life in the city and life in the villa of his court gave rise to significant architectural changes and artistic embellishments.

Galleria degli Uffizi: 25th June – 3rd November 2013

Fire and Ice. The Russian Avant-Gard, Siberia and the East

In September, 2013, the Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, will host The Russian Avant-Garde, Siberia and the East. It's the first international exhibition to examine the fundamental importance of the Oriental and Eurasian connection to Russian Modernism, follows the destinies of Russia’s self-proclaimed “Barbarians” in their search for new sources of artistic inspiration. Neolithic stone figures, Siberian shaman rituals, popular Chinese prints, Japanese engravings, Theosophical doctrine and Indian philosophy are some of the elements which inspired Russia’s new artists and writers as they developed their aesthetic and theoretical ideas just before and after the Revolution of October, 1917.

Palazzo Strozzi: 21st Sept 2013 – 19th January 2014

30° Firenze Marathon 

The Florence Marathon organises men's and women's events, as well as a special non-competitive mini-run (Ginky Family Run) for kids and families. More than 6000 athletes tackle the picturesque route of the 42km-long main race.

The race starts at Piazzale Michelangelo and crosses the Ponte alla Vittoria, then follows a course through the Parco delle Cascine, Piazza del Duomo, Piazza Signoria and ends at Piazza Santa Croce, just 200 metres from the starting gate in the centre of town.

Piazzale Michelangelo, 24 November 2013

IX Florence Biennale - Ethics: DNA of Art

Entitled "Ethics, DNA of Art" the IX edition of the Florence Biennale, exhibition devoted to bringing contemporary art and hundreds of artists from all over the world to Florence since 1997. The Florence Biennale 2013 will be hosted at the historic Fortezza da Basso, in the city centre, from November 30th to December 8th engaging hundreds of artist. More than ever, the rich array of events, encompassing in a fundamental way the entire city of Florence, with exhibitions, performances, and installations that will for the first time in the history of the Florence Biennale take place in different locations throughout the year for an ongoing dialogue between past and present in emblematic venues representative of the "Birthplace of the Renaissance". These events will lead the path in contemporary fashion towards the ten days of the Florence Biennale in 2013.

Fortezza da Basso 30th Nov – 8th Dec 2013