Florence Celebrates its New Year: A Week of Festivities and Traditions

Florence marks the arrival of its new year on March 25th, a tradition rooted in the Middle Ages and the Feast of the Annunciation. From March 21st to 29th, the city will host the “Settimana del Fiorentino” (Florentine Week), a calendar of events designed to celebrate Florentine culture and customs, offering a range of activities for both residents and visitors.

A Historical Tradition Revived

Unlike the Gregorian calendar’s January 1st, Florence historically celebrated the new year on March 25th, aligning with the announcement of the Incarnation to the Virgin Mary. This practice continued until 1750, when Grand Duke Francis II of Lorraine decreed the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Despite this change, the tradition has been officially revived by the Municipality of Florence since 2000.

Events During the Florentine Week

The “Settimana del Fiorentino” features a diverse program of events, including guided tours, heritage walks, fairs, markets and activities for all ages. The Florentine Civic Museums and MUS.E are offering free special visits focusing on the origins of the festival and the concept of “Florentineness.”

Key Events

• March 21st: Piazza Santa Croce will be transformed with “The Great Pinocchio,” a large-scale artwork celebrating the 200th anniversary of Carlo Collodi’s birth.
• March 24th: Participating restaurants will offer special menus dedicated to Florentine gastronomic traditions for Florentine New Year’s Eve dinner.
• March 25th: The Historical Parade of the Florentine Republic will take place, proceeding through the city streets to the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata.
• March 26th: The Fiorenza 26 Prize will be awarded, recognizing organizations and individuals who have contributed to the District 1 area and Florentine craftsmanship. This year’s recipients include the Piccolo Coro del Melograno, Giardino Borgo Allegri, and singer Piero Pelù.
• March 28th: An historic football triangular will be held in memory of Alessandro Dei, involving teams from the Florence Fire Brigade and Calcio Storico Fiorentino.

Illuminations and Interactive Experiences

Throughout the week, historic doors and Michelangelo’s David will be illuminated in red thanks to Firenze Smart. Visitors can also participate in the Fiorentino Quiz to test their knowledge of Florence and potentially win a prize.

Museum Initiatives

The Musei Civici Fiorentini will host visits to the Salvatore Romano Foundation, featuring medieval and Renaissance artworks. Libraries, including the Oblates Library, Palagio di Parte Guelfa Library, Pietro Thouar Library, Villa Bandini Library, and Horticulture Library, will also participate with educational events, workshops, readings, and cultural meetings.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Piazza Santa Croce

While the Florentine New Year is celebrated in March, Florence also welcomes the Gregorian calendar year with a major free live music event in Piazza Santa Croce on December 31st, 2025, ushering in 2026. The event, promoted by the City of Florence and organized by Fondazione MUS.E in collaboration with Sky, will feature performances by Paola Iezzi, Tiromancino, Franco126, SARAFINE, LAYANA, TOMASI, and Lele Sacchi, alongside gospel and jazz performances in other squares and light shows in Piazza della Signoria.

The Florentine Week offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich history and vibrant culture of Florence, celebrating both its ancient traditions and its modern spirit.