Event Details
Festa di San Giovanni – Florence Celebrates Its Patron Saint
Every 24 June, Florence puts on one of Italy's most extraordinary public celebrations. The Festa di San Giovanni honours Saint John the Baptist, the city's patron saint, with a full day of events rooted in traditions dating back to the 13th century. The programme spans the entire day: Renaissance processions through the historic centre, solemn ceremonies at the Duomo, the legendary Calcio Storico Fiorentino in Piazza Santa Croce, and the famous fireworks display that lights up the Florentine skyline over the Arno.
Highlights
- Corteo degli Omaggi – Renaissance costume procession through the historic city centre from early morning
- Offerta dei Ceri – traditional candle offering ceremony at the Battistero di San Giovanni, one of the city's oldest rituals
- Solemn Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, celebrated by the Archbishop of Florence
- Palio Remiero di San Giovanni – historic rowing regatta on the Arno between the four city districts
- Calcio Storico Fiorentino – final match at Piazza Santa Croce, a medieval combat sport unique to Florence
- Fochi di San Giovanni – the iconic fireworks display from 10:00 PM at Piazzale Michelangelo, visible across the city
- Free entry to all civic museums for residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence
Programme (24 June)
8:30 AM: The Corteo degli Omaggi e dei Ceri sets off from Via Folco Portinari and winds through the city centre to Piazza del Duomo. At 9:00 AM the Bandierai degli Uffizi perform their flag-throwing display at Piazza della Signoria. At 10:00 AM the Ostensione del Reliquiario takes place at the Loggia del Bigallo, followed by the Offerta dei Ceri. At 10:30 AM the Solemn Mass begins inside the Cathedral. The afternoon brings the Calcio Storico Fiorentino Final at 6:00 PM in Piazza Santa Croce, preceded by the full Renaissance corteo, and the Palio Remiero rowing race on the Arno. From 8:30 PM a brass ensemble concert takes place along the Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia. The celebration concludes with the Fochi di San Giovanni fireworks at 10:00 PM from Piazzale Michelangelo, lasting approximately 50 minutes.
Calcio Storico Fiorentino
The Calcio Storico Fiorentino is one of the world's most spectacular historical sporting events. It combines elements of football, rugby and wrestling, played on a sand-covered pitch in Piazza Santa Croce. Four teams representing the city's historic quarters compete: Rossi (Santa Maria Novella), Verdi (San Giovanni), Bianchi (Santo Spirito) and Azzurri (Santa Croce). Each team fields 27 players and matches last 50 uninterrupted minutes. The tournament winner receives a Chianina heifer as a traditional prize. The final is preceded by a grand Renaissance corteo through the city streets. Matches are broadcast live on Toscana TV and via streaming.
Tickets
The processions, ceremonies and fireworks are free to attend. Tickets for the Calcio Storico Fiorentino are sold exclusively online via TicketOne. In 2026, prices ranged from €29 (colour stands) to €150 (covered side stand, final). Availability is very limited; tickets for the final typically sell out within hours of going on sale. Early purchase is strongly recommended.
Visitor Tips
- Buy Calcio Storico tickets as soon as they go on sale; the final always sells out within hours.
- For the fireworks, the best spots are Piazzale Michelangelo itself and the Lungarno embankments; arrive by late afternoon to secure a good position.
- All civic museums offer free entry on 24 June for residents of the Metropolitan City of Florence.
- Travel by train to Firenze Santa Maria Novella or by local bus; the historic centre is largely closed to traffic on the festival day.
- Book accommodation well in advance; Florence is very busy throughout June.
- Light rain does not cancel the fireworks; a postponement to 25 June only occurs in the event of severe storms.
