Special Events
Florence Carnival, Apr-May, Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci Diladdarno, three-week celebration, including music, exhibitions and street festivals, Apr, Altrarno Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart), colourful procession of ox and cart, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display when the cart (lit by a mechanical dove) explodes at 1100, Easter Sunday (Mar/Apr), through central Florence to Piazza del Duomo Settimani dei Beni Culturali, state museums throw open their doors for free, Apr, state museums throughout the city Festa del Grillo (Festival of the Cricket), bizarre ancient ritual in which live crickets in hand-woven cages are given to loved ones, Ascension Day (Apr/May), Parco delle Cascine Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (May Music Festival), major music festival with orchestra, chorus and Corps de Ballet (website: www.maggiofiorentino.com) May-early Jul, Teatro Comunale Fiesole Summer Festival, dance, music and theatre in Fiesole (website: www.estatefiesolana.it) Jun-Sep, Roman theatre Calcio in Costume, football game in medieval dress, as part of celebrations for the city’s patron saint, St John, 24 Jun, Piazza Santa Croce Festa di San Giovanni (St John’s Day), 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, 24 Jun, Palazzo Vecchio and Piazzale Michelangelo La Rificolona (Festival of the Lanterns), 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, 7th Sep, throughout the city Firenze Marathon (Florence Marathon), annual city marathon and half marathon (website: www.firenzemarathon.it) Nov, from Piazzale Michelangelo to Piazza San Croce
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