If you are in Florence during the Easter holidays, the last days of March and the last days of June you can not miss the three most acclaimed holidays in Florence.

The explosion of the cart

When you have the opportunity to be in Florence during the Easter holidays, do not miss the "Scoppio del Carro".

The Scoppio del Carro is a Florentine tradition that takes place every year on Easter morning in Piazza Duomo.

The origin of the festival dates back to the time of the First Crusade, when a Florentine captain, returning from Jerusalem, brought with him three stone scales of the Holy Sepulchre of Christ.

From then until today the three stones, currently kept in the small church of the Holy Apostles, are used to light the Easter candle, symbol of the victory of life over death that remains lit until Pentecost, and the candles of all the faithful as a sign of the Resurrection of Christ.

Florentine New Year

The Florentine New Year is one of the official holidays of Florence and is celebrated on March 25 each year.
The origin dates back to the Middle Ages, when with the civil calendar, March 25 was considered the start date of the new year.

Later, the Gregorian calendar came into force, which set the beginning of the year on 1 January. But Florence continued to consider March 25 as its New Year’s Eve.

Feast of St john 

The feast of Saint John is celebrated on June 24 in Florence, for the patron saint of the city.

It is celebrated throughout the day, starting in the morning with the Ceremony of the Candles until arriving in the evening with fireworks.

The morning: Ceremony of the Candles

On the morning of June 24 at 9 am we start with the celebrations directly from the Piazza del Duomo, we cross the historic center to get to the Baptistery, to offer a symbolic gift to the Patron Saint: of the candles that are received by the Archbishop of Florence who immediately afterwards celebrates Mass in the Duomo of Florence.

The afternoon: Football History

The Calcio Storico takes place in Piazza Santa Croce, and consists of three matches in June with two eliminatorie and the final which takes place exactly on June 24.

The rules of the game are similar to those of rugby rather than those of football.

The game lasts 50 minutes and its origin is that of the training of the Roman legionaries in peacetime.

In the evening: I Fochi

On the evening of June 24, from 22.00 to 23.00, Florentines and tourists watch the "Fochi" or fireworks directly from Piazzale Michelangelo.

The best places from which to enjoy the show are the Lungarni, but also the restaurants and wine bars with terraces located on top of palaces and hotels in the historic center. Alternatively, head to Fiesole, on the hill to the northeast of Florence, and enjoy the show a little further away.