Featured Events in Florence in April, 2025 (May Updated)

Following last year's solo exhibition at White Cube Bermondsey, Tracey Emin will present her first solo exhibition in Italy this year. The exhibition will display her important past works and recent new works. The most anticipated is the sparks created by her neon works, sculptures, installations, and videos, which collide with the historic Palazzo Strozzi in Florence.

Starting with the Saracen jousting, a popular event celebrated in the city of Arezzo, the exhibition aims to document war games using prints and drawings from various periods in the Uffizi Gallery, especially the numerous examples of helmets, weapons and armour from the famous collection of the Stibbert Museum. These knightly tournaments became popular in the Middle Ages and continued into the Renaissance, including the Crossbow Palio, which required contestants to have skills in precision, and the ancient Game of the Bridge, a contest of strength to conquer the Ponte Vecchio on foot. Visitors will see the most iconic piece in the exhibition, a 16th-century Buratto or Saracen quintain on loan from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello. Probably a celebration to mark the marriage of Francesco I and Bianca Cappero in 1579, the changes over the centuries have transformed it from a Saracen nobleman to the European warrior we see today. The exhibition emblem is another prestigious work of art, Stefano Della Bella’s Knight in Armour, made for the procession and loaned by the Uffizi Gallery. The sumptuous, ornate costumes and robes evoke the sheer splendor of participating in these spectacular events designed to celebrate the great and the good. In another painting loaned from the CR Florence Foundation, Stefano Della Bella depicts a night procession in the Boboli Gardens in 1637. Arms and armour are loaned by Florence’s Museo Stibbert, which has one of the richest collections of material on the ancient game of bridge in Pisa. Stibbert also loaned a fine set of 17th-century crossbows richly inlaid with hunting scenes, made by a workshop in southern Germany. And the collection of the Ivan Bruschi Foundation lends an interesting letter of challenge from “the unconquered, most glorious and ever-victorious King of the Indies, Brato”, issued to announce the version of the Saracen tournament that was held on August 26, 1674 in honor of Cardinal Corsini, Bishop of Arezzo.

Florence celebrates the artistic genius of Giovan Battista Foggini (1652-1725) with a major monographic exhibition, promoted by the Metropolitan City of Florence and organized by the MUS.E Foundation, which will be held at Palazzo Medici Riccardi from 10 April to 9 September 2025. The exhibition, curated by Riccardo Spinelli, is organized on the occasion of the third centenary of the artist's death and intends to restore to the public the extraordinary figure of the man who, with his 'interdisciplinary' work, ended up shaping the artistic language of late-Medici Florence.

Alongside the main exhibition dedicated to the great sculptor Giovan Battista Foggini, there is also the photographic exhibition “Foggini’s Florence. Views of Paolo Bacherini” – curated by Valentina Zucchi, based on an idea by Riccardo Spinelli, set up in the Fabiani Rooms of Palazzo Medici Riccardi – which offers a suggestive reading of the artist’s activity in the architectural fabric of the city.

Every Easter Sunday, Florence celebrates this religious holiday in a very special way. The Scoppio del Carro is more than 350 years old. Built in 1622, a complex carriage, two or three stories high, is pulled by a pair of oxen decorated with garlands through the streets of Florence, accompanied by an escort of 150 soldiers, musicians, and people dressed in 15th-century costumes, moving from Porta al Prato to Piazza del Duomo. The carriage was loaded with fireworks, while a line extended from the high altar inside the cathedral, with a mechanical dove ("colombina") attached to it. Shortly afterwards, during the singing of "Gloria in excelsis Deo" during Easter Mass, the Florentine cardinal lit the fuse on the dove with the Easter flame. The dove then sped through the church, igniting the carriage outside. During all this, the bells of Giotto's campanile rang out. The complex fireworks display that followed lasted about 20 minutes. A successful display of this event guaranteed a good harvest, stable life for citizens and good business.

Welcome to Twilight Tee Off! Join us for an electrifying evening at Twilight Tee-Off, a glow-in-the-dark charity golfing event featuring celebrity guests, cash prizes and more! This 2 man scramble tournament will host 25 riding teams and 10 walking teams. Riding teams tickets priced at $170 ( 2 spots) and walking cart team tickets at $120. Closest to the pin and long putt contest entries will be available on site for $10 each to win a signed Bengals item. Each ticket includes a golf goodie bag with a custom golf towel, tees, 9 holes of golf, 2 high-quality LED golf balls and glow markers for carts/players. Enjoy grill food with homestyle sides and quench your thirst with 2 drink tickets per player. Additional food and beverages will also be available. Silent auction will be onsite with proceeds going to local school kids. Headlamps or Flashlights are encouraged to bring for driving. Sponsorship opportunities available! Information Source: Haddox Enterprise | eventbrite

A chance to celebrate the arts in West Cumbria, meet other artists and discuss how you'd like Florence to help support you. Artist Clare Parker and Flo Director Sue Mackay have brought together evaluation from current and past programmes and some of the ideas previously shared. We would love your input including: Life Drawing and Crit Group Drink and Draw social sessions Skills Share - eg using mailchimp, content for social platforms, using Canva, basic accounting for artists, helping hit the brief, funding applications, ACE funding apps Art talks and films Autumn collaboration event All welcome! Please book a free space here if you can to help assess numbers for refreshments but drop ins also welcome :-) Information Source: Florence Arts Centre | eventbrite

FMU Tennis Alums, We have a great Saturday afternoon planned to welcome you back. We will have a special tent and bleachers, along with lunch under a special tent setup courtside for us. We will be able to view the matches and pull for the current Patriot team against our rivals Young Harris. Register today and you will receive updates about other activities before and after the matches. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me at Alumni@FMarion.edu or 843-661-1228. We can't wait to see you there! Sincerely, D. Lee Daugherty ‘89 Director of Alumni Affairs Information Source: Francis Marion University Alumni Association | eventbrite

Join us on the 2nd Saturday of every month for one of San Diego's best small business pop-ups! Enjoy a day of local artists, crafters, food and more! 4/12 vendors: (more coming soon!) sponsored by: @att @luckysevenwellness @onlygirlintown @ahlise.vela @green.eggs.and.sam.2 @robynsnesty @poweroffaith.co @peanut_gallerie @tide_and_treats @artdeco_studios @discotreasures @artbika @gameday.purse 5/10 vendors: (more coming soon!) @createmeowrepea.home @luckysevenwellness @sparkandrebel @saxana_sd @linkedbyagape Project by: @alternativeent Information Source: Alternative Entertainment Marketing & Events | eventbrite

Take some time over the Easter holidays to bring the family to our Easter Playdays at Florence Arts Centre! On BOTH DAYS enjoy Play with Clay, Building Indoors/Outdoors, Storytime, Outdoor Trails, and Drawing Time. On APRIL 16TH Only: Morning Session 10:30am to 12:30pm Pet Encounters 11:30am to 12:30am - £5 per PERSON Please contact us if you have any additional access needs. Our centre is wheelchair accessible with parking on site, ramped access to the studio door and level throughout. We have an Access toilet. Information Source: Florence Arts Centre | eventbrite

Information Source: UNA Department of Accounting and Business Law | eventbrite

Get ready for a night of painting, sipping, and socializing with the talented artist, LUNA.BOONA.BOO - Martina! Join us at Barleycorn's Florence for a one-of-a-kind Paint Nite event where you'll unleash your inner artist and create a beautiful masterpiece. No experience necessary, as Martina will guide you step-by-step through the painting process. Enjoy delicious drinks and appetizers from Barleycorn's while you create your own unique work of art. Grab your friends and get ready to have a colorful and creative night out with LUNA.BOONA.BOO - Martina at Barleycorn's Florence! (10344135) Age: Teens and up Information Source: Paintnite.com | eventbrite

Sculpture Sketches - Clay modeling workshop in Florence Come unleash your creativity at our Clay Modeling Workshop in the heart of Florence! Join us at Geko Art Studio for a hands-on experience in sculpting with clay. Learn the basics of sculpting and bring your imagination to life in 3D form. This in-person event is perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike. Don't miss this opportunity to explore your artistic side and create something truly unique. See you there! Information Source: Geko Art Studio Florence | eventbrite

6 Weeks Challenge Round 2 Join us for the ultimate fitness challenge at Qi Flow Studio! Get ready to push your limits, sweat it out, and achieve your fitness goals in just 6 weeks. This in-person event will have you feeling stronger, healthier, and more energized than ever before. Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your body and mind. Sign up now and let's crush this challenge together! Information Source: maya | eventbrite