Florence Week of Festivities: March 25th marks the celebration of the Florentine New Year. This year, 2026, is scheduled to be filled with guided tours, events, music, and markets. Learn more here.
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The Florentine New Year
March 25th has always been a special date for Florence. Until 1750, it was the day the new year began, coinciding with the Annunciation Day: exactly nine months before Christmas, the day when the Archangel Gabriel announced to Mary that she was expecting a son.
Moreover, March 25th symbolizes the rebirth of nature with the arrival of spring. A blend of the sacred and the profane that was reason enough to gather thousands of people from all over Florence and its county in Piazza Santissima Annunziata.
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The Gregorian Calendar
In the late 1500s, the world recognized the need for a uniform calendar. Various calendars, with different festivities, created no small number of problems in relations between various countries. Thus, in 1582, the revolutionary worldwide historical reform was introduced: the Gregorian calendar, established by Pope Gregory XIII, was quickly accepted by the majority of European states.
However, not all states adopted it immediately. Despite Florence being the city of many “promoters” of the new calendar, it did not adhere. It was only in 1749 that Grand Duke Francesco II di Lorena issued a decree that aligned the start of the year with January 1st. This was a significant event, commemorated with a marble inscription in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
Commemoration of March 25th in Florence Today
The Comune di Firenze typically honors this important Florentine date with “Capodanno Fiorentino” (Florentine New Year’s Day). The city of Florence, Italy, is gearing up to celebrate the Florentine New Year with a special program set to take place from March 21st to March 29th, 2026.
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Key Highlights of The Florentine Week:
Celebrate the Florentine New Year (March 25)
March 25 marks the traditional beginning of the new year in the old Florentine calendar. The celebration includes the Historic Parade of the Florentine Republic, which starts from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa and arrives at Piazza Santissima Annunziata at 4:00 PM. It’s a unique opportunity to dive into the city’s medieval atmosphere.
What Happens Each Day of Fiorentino Week 2026 in Florence
Here is what is happening each day during Fiorentino Week 2026.
March 21, 2026: Giant Pinocchio in Piazza Santa Croce
The festivities begin with a strong artistic note in Piazza Santa Croce, which turns into a giant open-air canvas. To mark the 200th anniversary of Carlo Collodi’s birth, Associazione Bang presents Il Grande Pinocchio, a large-scale artwork painted directly onto the pavement of the square and visible starting at 9:00 AM.
The day also includes activities organized by Florence’s Civic Museums, with heritage walks, family-friendly experiences, and animated visits inside Palazzo Vecchio led by the character of Giorgio Vasari.
In the evening, at 9:00 PM, the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata hosts a free classical concert featuring a string orchestra conducted by Giuseppe Lanzetta, with trumpeters Luca Pieraccini and Marcello Nesi. The program includes works by Vivaldi, Barber, Holst, and Manfredini.
March 22, 2026: Craftsmanship and Heritage
The second day is a good chance to look at Florence through its artisanal traditions. At the historic workshop of Galleria Michelangelo inside Palazzo Pepi, a 15th-century palace, guided visits are scheduled at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 4:00 PM, with a maximum of 10 participants per time slot. Visitors can learn more about traditional leatherworking, bookbinding, and the restoration of antique books.
Palazzo Vecchio also opens its archaeological excavation areas, where visitors can see traces of the ancient Roman theater of Florentia.
March 23 and 24, 2026: Perfume, Art, and Food
On March 23 and 24, AquaFlor in Borgo Santa Croce offers guided visits focused on the art of perfume in Florence, from Renaissance spices to the influence of Catherine de’ Medici. The experience includes an exploration of its “olfactory library,” with hundreds of essences.
On March 24, the historic Accademia delle Arti del Disegno opens exceptionally to the public. Founded in 1563 by Cosimo I de’ Medici and Giorgio Vasari, it is one of Florence’s most important artistic institutions.
That same evening, restaurants and participating venues across the city host the Cenone del Capodanno Fiorentino, a gala dinner dedicated to local culinary traditions. Organized by Confesercenti Firenze, the initiative highlights classic Florentine dishes and gives visitors another way to take part in the celebration.
March 25, 2026: The Big Day of the Florentine New Year
March 25 is the centerpiece of the entire week. Starting at 8:00 AM, the Fiera del Capodanno Fiorentino fills Piazza Santissima Annunziata with stands selling local products, agricultural goods, and sweets. There are also historical reenactments by the Compagnia del Lupo Rosso and educational activities focused on medieval weapons.
At 4:00 PM, the Corteo Storico della Repubblica Fiorentina sets off. This traditional historical procession moves through the city from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa to the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata, where homage is paid to the Virgin on the Feast of the Annunciation.
At 5:00 PM, the Museo de’ Medici opens the exhibition “Claudia de’ Medici. 1626–2026 – A Dynastic Alliance Between Florence and Tyrol,” with free admission, a conference, and a musical moment.
March 26, 2026: Awards and Theater
The afternoon begins at 2:30 PM with Premio Fiorenza 26 at Sala Ex Barnabiti, the annual award from Quartiere 1 honoring people and organizations that have made a meaningful contribution to the area. Among the 2026 honorees are Fratellanza Militare, marking 150 years, Società San Giovanni Battista, marking 230 years, musician Piero Pelù, and Casa delle Donne.
At 8:30 PM, Palazzo Medici Riccardi hosts a theatrical production by Compagnia delle Seggiole titled La Congiura dei Pazzi. Admission is free, but reservations are required.
March 27, 2026: Living Craft Traditions and Open Workshops
On March 27, the Fiera Capodanno Fiorentino in Piazza takes over Piazza Santa Maria Novella from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with stands featuring fashion, leather goods, food products, and other typical local creations.
Later in the day, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, many artisan workshops around the city open their doors as part of the Visite in Bottega – Firenze Creativa program by Artex Firenze. Visitors can watch live demonstrations and meet master artisans working in Florence today.
March 28, 2026: Calcio Storico, Street Food, and Art
One of the more unusual events of the week takes place at 3:00 PM with the Memorial Alessandro Dei at Campo Assi Giglio Rosso. The event is a triangular tournament of Calcio Storico involving teams from the Florence Fire Brigade, Calcio Storico veterans, and Associazione Assi Giglio Rosso. It is both commemorative and charitable.
For food lovers, LampredOrto runs from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Orto San Frediano and celebrates lampredotto, one of Florence’s most iconic street foods.
Also on March 28, Firenze in Arte takes place in Piazza del Carmine from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with artistic and traditional crafts on display as well as live demonstrations.
March 29, 2026: Family Activities and Workshops
The final day is especially family-focused. MUS.E organizes activities centered on the Scoppio del Carro, Florence’s traditional Easter cart explosion, along with a fresco workshop inspired by the Florentine lily and themed visits about the stained-glass windows of the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella.
It is a softer ending to a packed week, with more space for children and families to connect with some of Florence’s best-known traditions.
Events Running Throughout Fiorentino Week
Some initiatives continue throughout the full nine days of the festival. One is the Quiz del Fiorentino, an online quiz where participants can test their level of “fiorentinità.” Among those who answer everything correctly, 10 winners will be drawn to receive a gift at Palazzo Vecchio.
Another is Firenze in Vetrina, a shop window contest for businesses in the historic center, with the best displays photographed and shared on social media.
There is also a special initiative linked to the Associazione Cassettai Storici Fiorentini stands in Piazza San Giovanni and Piazza della Signoria. Visitors who say the phrase “Capodanno Fiorentino 1750” receive a Florentina soap as a gift, a handcrafted vegetable soap produced by Saponerie Mario Fissi since 1894.
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Official Program in Italian
The official PDF program in Italian can be downloaded through the official link here.
If you know someone who will be in Florence during these dates, this is the kind of event guide worth sharing.
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