What to do this week in Florence and surroundings

Events, exhibitions and must-see events from 29 May to 4 June 2023

Art, concerts, shows and good food. Here are the events not to be missed this week in and around Florence.

ESTATE FIORENTINA

The great festivals of the Florentine Summer are back again this year. It starts on 5 June with Secret Florence, the contemporary art festival now in its eighth edition, which involves various realities: Fabbrica Europa, Lo Schermo dell'arte, Musicus Concentus, Tempo Reale and Centro di Produzione della Danza Virgilio Sieni. From 7 to 11 June, many appointments at Villa Bardini for La Città dei lettori, the travelling literature festival that makes stops in various Tuscan cities. From 9 June to 15 September, lots of great music with 23 free appointments for the Sagrati in Musica under the stars festival, concerts ranging from jazz to classical, via rock and electronic. The churches involved are: Santi Michele e Gaetano, Santa Felicita, Sacra Famiglia, Santa Maria del Carmine, Piazza Duomo Misericordia churchyard, Isolotto and Santa Croce. Also this year there will be concerts, talks, performances and guided tours of the Firenze dall'Alto initiative, a series of meetings aimed at telling the story of the city from an unusual and privileged point of view, that of the roofs and terraces of its buildings. Until the end of September many other initiatives for all tastes: cinema, dance music and much more! Discover the entire programme HERE.

DOMENICA AT MUSEUM

Also on 4 June, as on every first Sunday of the month, there is a not-to-be-missed appointment: entry is free for everyone in the state museums, while residents of the Metropolitan City can also enter the civic museums, managed by the municipality, free of charge, where guided tours and special family activities are organised. HERE the complete list.

GIORGIA AT THE PERGOLA THEATER

Giorgia's Blu Live Tour arrives at the Pergola Theater on Tuesday, May 30.

MASSIMO RANIERI AT TUSCANY HALL

Massimo Ranieri comes to Florence on Tuesday, May 30, with Tutti i sogni ancora in volo, a new show featuring singing, acting, unreleased stories and lots of fun.

MAGGIO MUSICALE FIORENTINO FESTIVAL

Three operas, 11 symphonic appointments, 1 rock concert, an opera for children dedicated to Carmen (from 1 to 7 June) and an international conference on Maria Callas: the 85th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival presents a rich programme for its new edition until 8 July. Until June 3, Verdi's Otello conducted by Zubin Mehta and directed by Valerio Binasco. Maestro Zubin Mehta on the podium. (all scheduled performances here).

AREZZO ANTIQUES FAIR

The Antiques Fair celebrates its 55th birthday with an extraordinary edition that 'stretches' over an entire weekend instead of the usual two days and offers a series of unmissable side events. On Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June, Arezzo renews the appointment with the event that has been held uninterruptedly every month since 1968 in Piazza Grande and in the streets of the old town centre, giving enthusiasts and professionals the pleasure of "trouvaille", thanks to hundreds of exhibitors offering their art objects, furniture, jewellery, books and all kinds of collectables. To celebrate such an important event, the entire city will be mobilised from the morning of 2 June, when at 10.30 a.m. the Gruppo Musici del Saracino will offer a performance that, starting from Piazza del Duomo, will involve all the areas of the historic centre hosting the Fair. On Saturday 3 June, another of the city's symbolic places will open its doors to kick off a calendar of events celebrating beauty and 'savoir faire'. Among the side events at the Fair, on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 June, Via Bicchieraia will host glass harp performances during which the great masterpieces of classical and modern music will be interpreted with crystal glasses.

NATHAN FAKE AT THE MANIFATTURA TABACCHI

Thursday 1 June at 11 p.m. Nathan Fake's electronic music with his Crystal Vision tour in the B11 building of the Manifattura Tabacchi. After the artist's performance, the evening continues with Dj. P.Flex.

ART AND PLAY

After the success of the previous editions, starting from 12 June, the MUS.E proposal of summer camps in the museums of the city of Florence is renewed. Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Novecento, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Complesso di Santa Maria Novella, Murate Art District, these are the places where the summer camps will be based, led by English mother-tongue educators. The camps will contemplate a programme of activities, itineraries, and workshops spread throughout the historical centre, carefully balancing the experiences of art, nature and play, learning English, and strengthening the feeling of respect for the common heritage and of being 'good' together. The proposal is structured from Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 16.30 and is aimed at children aged 6 to 11, in small groups. The cost is €140 (10% reduction for Unicoop Firenze members), excluding lunch.
12/16 June - Museo Novecento
21/25 August - MAD Murate Art District
28 August/1 September - Medici Riccardi Palace
4/8 September - Santa Maria Novella
11/14 September -Palazzo Vecchio

TRAM-E-D'ARTE, FREE GUIDED TOURS TO DISCOVER A MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FLORENCE WITH THE TRAMWAY

After the great success of last autumn and winter, the guided tours along the two tramway lines T1 and T2, proposed by Tram-e-d'arte, are back. A new way to experience Florence and its lesser-known but fascinating side, as well as its more contemporary side. Participation in the guided tours is free of charge and booking is compulsory. Click here to discover the itinerary and how to book.

VARIOUS VOICES FLORENCE TOUR

On Monday 12 June at 9 p.m., four international choirs will perform on the stage of the Teatro Verdi for a concert under the banner of rainbow colours, rights and peace. Performing: Qwerty Queer from Odessa Ukraine; London Gay Men's Chorus, one of Europe's largest gay choirs; Brighton Gay Men's Chorus and Choreos the lgbtqi+ choir.

SGRANAR PER I COLLI OF PISTOIA

Sunday 4 June sees the 11 km tasting walk to discover evocative places and their flavours: 7 stops to taste traditional flavours accompanied by the music of local groups. To participate, booking is required online or on site to collect the 'sgrana kit' and the access badge to the inns.

MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL IN MALMANTILE

Now in its 28th year, the Medieval Festival returns on 2, 3, and 4 June from 4 p.m. at Malmantile Castle in the hills of Lastra a Signa. You can watch the craftsmen at work and real duels, many ladies, knights, acrobats and many other figures typical of the medieval period.