Events & What’s Happening
Annual celebration of artisan gelato held in Piazza della Repubblica and surrounding streets, where top gelato makers from Italy and abroad compete and offer tastings to the public.
💡Purchase a tasting kit for the kids — it includes a spoon and cup redeemable at all participating stalls; arrive on a weekday morning to avoid weekend crowds.
Historic Renaissance-era football matches played in period costume in Piazza Santa Croce, representing Florence's four historic neighborhoods with intense physical competition.
💡The colorful procession and costumes are spectacular for kids; the matches are very physical so preview the intensity before bringing young children.
Florence's patron saint day celebrating St. John the Baptist with a spectacular fireworks display over the Arno River visible from the Piazzale Michelangelo and the riverbanks.
💡Head to Piazzale Michelangelo or Ponte Vecchio area by 9pm to claim a spot; the fireworks at 10pm last about 30 minutes and are among Italy's most impressive.
Summer arts festival held in the ancient Roman amphitheater of Fiesole above Florence, featuring music, dance, theater, and cinema performances with stunning views over the city.
💡Bring a light jacket as hilltop evenings get cool; the Roman theater setting is magical for older children interested in history.
International contemporary art and craftsmanship exhibition held in odd-numbered years at the Fortezza da Basso, showcasing artists and artisans from dozens of countries.
💡The interactive installation areas engage children well; the fortress grounds themselves are a fun space for kids to explore between galleries.
Florence's Christmas season features the German-style Weihnachtsmarkt in Piazza Santa Croce and smaller artisan markets throughout the city center with crafts, food, and festive decorations.
💡The Piazza Santa Croce market has a carousel and child-friendly stalls; visit on a weekday afternoon for a more relaxed experience and shorter queues.
Easter Sunday spectacle in Piazza del Duomo where an ornate cart is ignited by a mechanical dove launched from the altar of the cathedral, a tradition dating back centuries.
💡Arrive at least 90 minutes early to secure a spot near the cathedral steps; children love the dramatic fireworks display from the cart.
Weekly Sunday market in the heart of Florence's historic center featuring antiques, vintage goods, flowers, plants, and artisan crafts surrounding the historic carousel.
💡The restored 19th-century carousel in the piazza is a hit with young children and costs just a couple of euros per ride.
Authentic neighborhood food market open Monday through Saturday in the Sant'Ambrogio district, selling fresh produce, cheese, meat, and street food beloved by locals.
💡Pick up fresh fruit for a snack and let kids choose something from the prepared food stalls; far less touristy than the Central Market and a genuine local experience.
The Boboli Gardens behind Palazzo Pitti offer structured family programming including guided nature walks and children's art workshops on selected Sundays throughout the warmer months.
💡Under-18s enter the Boboli Gardens free of charge; bring a picnic and plan at least two to three hours to explore the full garden terraces and fountains.
Florence's largest weekly open-air market held every Tuesday along the Cascine park beside the Arno, with hundreds of stalls selling clothing, food, shoes, household goods, and fresh produce.
💡The adjacent Cascine park has a children's playground and open lawns perfect for a post-market run-around; arrive before 10am to beat the crowds.
The children's museum program within Palazzo Vecchio runs hands-on workshops every Saturday and Sunday, where kids can dress in Renaissance costumes, explore hidden rooms, and participate in themed storytelling tours.
💡Book workshops online at least a week ahead as spots fill quickly; the 'Secret Passages' tour is particularly popular with children aged six and up.
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡Book Accademia Gallery (David) tickets at least 3 weeks in advance via the official Firenze Musei website — walk-up queues in peak season routinely exceed 2 hours, and children under 18 from EU countries enter free, which you must declare at the reserved entrance window rather than the ticket booth.
- 💡The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, directly behind the cathedral on Piazza del Duomo, is included in the Brunelleschi Pass (€30 adult) and houses the original Ghiberti Baptistery doors and Michelangelo's Pietà Bandini — it is vastly less crowded than the Uffizi and takes about 90 minutes, making it the single most family-efficient art stop in the city.
- 💡Take ATAF bus line 12 or 13 (circular route, €1.70 per adult, under-6 free) up to Piazzale Michelangelo for the panoramic city view — this avoids the steep 30-minute uphill walk from Ponte Vecchio that defeats most families with children under 8, and the bus departs from near Santa Maria Novella station.
- 💡The upstairs food hall at Mercato Centrale on Via dell'Ariento opens daily until midnight and sells everything from ribollita and lampredotto (Florentine tripe) to fresh pasta and pizza by the slice under one roof — it is the most practical family lunch or early dinner in the center without a reservation, and prices are 30–40% lower than nearby tourist restaurants.
- 💡Children under 18 from non-EU countries still receive free or discounted entry at state museums including the Uffizi and Bargello on the first Sunday of each month under the Domenica al Museo program — plan arrival at 8:15am (opening) on that Sunday to avoid the queue that builds after 9:30am.
- 💡Avoid buying gelato anywhere within 200 meters of the Ponte Vecchio or Piazza della Signoria — prices are typically €4–6 per scoop. Instead, walk to Gelateria dei Neri on Via dei Neri or Gelateria Pasticceria Badiani in Campo di Marte (a 10-minute tram ride) where quality is higher and scoops are €2–2.50.
- 💡The Boboli Gardens open at 8:15am and the first 90 minutes before 10am are genuinely uncrowded — children can run freely around the Neptune Fountain and the Amphitheater before tour groups arrive. Entry is included with the Palazzo Pitti combination ticket (€16 adult, under-18 free for EU residents).
- 💡Santa Maria Novella station's left-luggage facility (Kipoint, open daily 6am–11pm, roughly €6 per bag) allows families arriving early or departing late to store luggage and spend full days exploring without returning to their hotel — essential for families on tight train-connection schedules to Rome or Venice.