Festa di San Giovanni
On June 24, Florence mostly grinds to a halt for celebrations honoring the city's patron saint. Many shops and bars close, and, at night, a fireworks display lights up the Arno and attracts thousands.
2 Best Performing Arts Venues in Florence, Italy
Florence has a lively classical music scene. The internationally famous annual Maggio Musicale lights up the musical calendar in early spring, and continues throughout most of the rest of the year. Fans of rock, pop, and hip-hop might be somewhat surprised by the absence of live acts that make it to town (for such offerings, traveling to Rome or Milan is often a necessity). What it lacks in contemporary music, however, it makes up for with its many theatrical offerings.
Scoppio del Carro
On Easter Sunday, Florentines and foreigners alike flock to the Piazza del Duomo to watch as the Scoppio del Carro, a monstrosity of a carriage pulled by two huge oxen decorated for the occasion, arrives in the piazza after making its way through the city center. Using an elaborate wiring system, an object representing a dove is sent from inside the cathedral to the Baptistery across the way. The dove sets off an explosion of fireworks that come streaming from the carriage. You have to see it to believe it.
