The International Handicrafts Fair returns to the Fortezza da Basso

From April 25 to May 3, Florence will host MIDA90: approximately 500 exhibitors from around the world, immersive events, guided tours, and cooking demonstrations

Florence is preparing to host MIDA90, the 90th edition of the International Handicrafts Exhibition, scheduled to take place from April 25 to May 3, 2026 at the Fortezza da Basso. For nearly a century, this event has showcased the best of Italian and international craftsmanship, establishing itself as one of the longest-running and most representative events in the sector in Europe.

One of the central themes of this edition concerns generational renewal and the transfer of skills. During the event, the Teatrino Lorenese will host a series of meetings dedicated to training, dialogue between schools and businesses, and new career paths related to the world of artistic craftsmanship. Special attention will also be given to the new European system for the protection of Geographical Indications for artisanal and industrial products, which recently came into effect and is intended to strengthen the recognition of local products. From April 27 to 30, a collaboration with the Art and Restoration Fair will feature a series of scientific events aimed at promoting artistic heritage as a driver of growth and innovation.

Alongside the exhibition area, MIDA90 creates a true experiential journey. Among the most anticipated initiatives is the exhibition “90 Years Between History and the Future”, which traces the evolution of the event through photographs, documents, and archival materials, portraying an Italy in transition through its crafts. There will also be workshops with master artisans, hands-on workshops, and guided tours of the Fortress’s most hidden corners, as well as immersive installations such as the I-DOME Dome, which offers a contemporary reinterpretation of one of Florence’s most iconic symbols. There is also room for conferences and seminars on current topics, ranging from education to the recent IGP certification for authentic artisanal products.

Alongside artisan crafts, the world of food also plays a central role in the MIDA90 experience, featuring tastings, cooking demonstrations, and special tours dedicated to Tuscan delicacies. This is the setting for the Corte dei Sapori, set up in the Northwest Plaza: an area entirely dedicated to street food that, from April 25 to May 2 (from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM), will transform every evening into a true open-air stage. Here, the culinary experience intertwines with music, thanks to a daily-changing entertainment program that alternates between live performances and DJ sets. From electronic music to pop, from soul to international sounds, the Fortezza da Basso thus extends the fair experience beyond closing time, transforming into an evening gathering place where food, music, and socializing come together.

Ninety years after its inception, MIDA remains much more than just a craft fair: it is a platform for traditional craftsmanship and culture, a meeting point between the past and the future, a place where Florence continues to share with the world its deepest and most authentic identity—that of a city that creates, preserves, and innovates through the hands of its artisans.

Mostra Internazionale dell’Artigianato
Fortezza da Basso (Florence)
April 25 – May 3, 2026
Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (street food and music from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM with free admission)
Admission: 8 euros