Every year on the first Sunday of September the Palio of the Archers takes place.

For this occasion, in the city takes on a suggestive atmosphere thanks to beautiful streets and squares in the center, adorned with the flags of the four district’s contenders.

The Archers of Ferraia, S. Maria, San Michele and San Francesco will give the best of

themselves to win the Palio.

The tradition has been recently rediscovered, but the origins of the Pescia Palio date back to the first half of the 1300s when the city came under Florentine dominion. After this event, the population decided to celebrate the patron saint of the city, Saint Dorothy, with religious and popular celebrations among which was the Palio dei Berberi that continued up to the beginning of the 1500s. In its modern edition, the competition is no longer done on horseback, but instead with bows and arrows.

MAIN EVENTS ON THE POSTERS

The transition under Florentine rule, which took place on February 6, 1339, led the authorities of Pescia to choose, as the city’s patron saint, Saint Dorothea, whom the liturgical calendar commemorated on that very day.

In honor of the Saint, starting from the following year, solemn religious celebrations were held and several popular festivities were organized, among which the Palio dei Berberi (called *Bravio*) was the most spectacular.

Through alternating events, this equestrian tradition continued until 1526, when, both due to changing fashions and issues related to public safety, it definitively ceased. In its place, albeit unofficially, the Saracen joust was preferred, in which only the young representatives of local noble families took part.

Given its success, in 1596 the Municipality decided to hold this contest every year during the celebrations of the patron saint, and thus, albeit somewhat irregularly, it continued until 1677, when the joust ended due to a lack of participants. In more recent times, there were several attempts to revive the tradition, but by then it was too late.

In 1978, with the aim of reviving the noble past of Pescia, a special committee decided to reintroduce the Palio event; however, considering the changing times, lances and horses were replaced by bows and arrows. The competitors would be representatives of the four districts of Ferraia, San Francesco, San Michele, and Santa Maria, neighborhoods mentioned in municipal statutes as early as 1340.

The present-day event no longer takes place on the day dedicated to the patron saint, but rather on the first Sunday of September, as this date has been considered more favorable in terms of climate and for the touristic appeal the city takes on at the end of summer.
The celebrations for the Palio begin as early as the previous week with a medieval Arts and Crafts market, animated by drummers, acrobats, jugglers, fire-eaters, nobles, armed figures, townspeople in costume, and medieval games. On this occasion, visitors can enjoy traditional local dishes, which are then offered again from Monday to Thursday during the so-called “propitiatory” dinners, organized by district leaders in characteristic and particularly charming corners of the city.

On Friday, the day before the eve of the competition, the Palio is officially presented: a painted banner that each year commemorates a significant historical event that took place in Pescia. The “cencio” is entrusted, at the end of a suggestive torchlight procession, by the Podestà to the representatives of the district that won the previous edition. They will guard it until the day of the Palio.
Afterwards, drummers, flag-throwers, dancers, and sword duelists perform, and at the end the archers who will take part in the competition are presented. Then the drawing of lots takes place to determine the positions from which the arrows will be shot on Sunday.

On the same evening, the “lady of Pescia” also appears; on the following day she will represent the city at the national contest, always held in Pescia, titled “The beauty and elegance of women in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.” This event attracts dozens of young women wearing splendid historical costumes from all over the country.

On Sunday morning, in Piazza Grande—the site of the contest—the archers familiarize themselves with their assigned targets by shooting a few practice arrows.
In the afternoon, the procession—made up of around six hundred participants in costumes reflecting the 14th and 15th centuries—parades through the streets of the city to the uninterrupted sound of drums and trumpets until it reaches the evocative Piazza Grande. Here, thousands of attentive and curious spectators await, commenting on the garments and bearing of the most representative figures.

The Palio is carried on a richly decorated cart, drawn, according to ancient tradition, by a horse. It is escorted by four halberdiers under the command of the Captain of the district that had custody of it. Two boys, standing on the cart, throw handfuls of hazelnuts into the crowd as a festive gesture.
Once the procession is lined up before the Podestà’s stand, the solemn greeting is given and the proclamation of the challenge is read. Then it is the turn of the performance groups (drummers, flag-throwers, dancers, and duelists), and subsequently, at the signal of the field master, the competition begins.

Four archers per district, equipped with medieval “Long Bows,” have three rounds at their disposal to win the Palio. In the first round, they must hit three plaster targets with a diameter of 20 cm arranged in a triangle, plus a 7 cm target positioned at the center of the butt. The archers have four arrows available.
In the second round, there are again three targets of 15 cm plus a central target of 7 cm, and again four arrows are available.
In the third and final round, there is only one target of 10 cm placed at the center, and the archer has just one arrow.

The atmosphere during the competition becomes increasingly tense; participants begin their own calculations and sometimes clash with supporters of other districts. Predictions are made about possible outcomes, and spontaneous—though temporary—alliances between districts are formed.

The ranking after the first part of the competition temporarily calms the excitement, which then intensifies again when the archers prepare for the final shot.
Even before the official final results are announced, some spectators and participants—sometimes prematurely—begin celebrating victory.
After a careful examination of the targets and the necessary calculations, the Podestà finally announces the name of the winning district.
Once the Palio is awarded, amid general confusion and jubilation, the procession is slowly reformed and accompanies, with a gesture of chivalrous courtesy, the winning district back to its headquarters between rows of applauding crowds.

The city of Pescia lies at the bottom of a valley, acting as a link between hills and plains; the former are covered with olive groves tended like gardens, while the latter opens southward toward the Arno River and the sea. The river that runs through it bears the same name—Pescia—and both unites and divides the city, leaving two distinct areas on either side, connected by the Cathedral bridge that has always made them one center.
The city took its name from the river, adapting into Latin a Lombard word meaning “river,” and the earliest traces of settlement date back to the Lombard period. On the left bank, houses developed around the parish church (now the cathedral), forming the core of urban growth; on the opposite side, a castle, a market, and a feudal court shaped the layout of buildings in long rows parallel to the river.

A document mentions it in 742, and the parish church is recorded in 951: “Sita loco Piscia.” A more significant document from 1084 cites Pescia in a deed: “Prope Piscia maiore iuxta ecclesia Sante Marie in Vico qui nominatur Piscia.”
Pescia became a city in the 13th century and was firmly within the sphere of influence of Lucca. Severely damaged in 1281 by a powerful neighbor it sought to oppose, it allied with Florence in 1339, once the success of Florentine expansion in Valdinievole became clear. Florence remained grateful for the loyalty of the people of Pescia and supported their development in every way.

Pescia owes to Pope Leo X of the Medici family the elevation of its parish church to a provostship in 1519, making it independent from the bishops of Lucca; it also owes the Medici the initial impulse for an extraordinary economic development that began in the 16th century and lasted until the 19th, based on agriculture and enhanced by the use of the river’s waters.

Silk mills and paper mills came first, followed by tanneries and ironworks, along with mills and olive presses—all powered by falling water: light and pure water that ensured high-quality production. A wealthy city, Pescia obtained the title of “City” in 1699 and became a diocese in 1726. Its industrial prosperity lasted until the unification of Italy, after which a gradual decline began due to changing markets and foreign competition.

Pescia then returned to its agricultural roots: specialized crops ensured survival—first vines and olives, then flowers and now ornamental plants. The olive tree is the most striking feature: its silvery foliage descends from the hilltops into the gardens of homes, testifying to the close bond between countryside and city.
Today, alongside olive groves are greenhouses for flowers and plants, the primary source of the modern local economy, often nestled among houses in the lower plains. In conclusion, Pescia’s economy today is based on nurseries of olive trees, citrus plants, houseplants, and the production of cut flowers exported successfully worldwide.

Open-air cinema in Pistoia at the Porta al Borgo arena, via delle Pentole 4. Begin at 9:30 PM, costs 6 euros (full price) or 5 euros (reduced price, for children aged 3 to 14 and adults over 65).

Program in the picture. Movies in Italian.

This year, open-air cinema returns to the Castello dell'Imperatore in Prato with reduced ticket prices of 3.5 euros for Italian and European films, while the cost for non-European films is 6.5 euros. Screenings start at 9:45 PM. There are 200 numbered seats available, and tickets can be purchased at the box office starting one hour before the film begins, but it is recommended to buy tickets online on the this website. The presale allows you to book and choose your seat.

Program - Movies in Italian in the pictures

The exhibition, hosted in the rooms of Palazzo delle Papesse, a Renaissance residence once belonging to Caterina Piccolomini, sister of Pope Pius II, documents the flourishing production of domestic art that developed in Siena between the 15th and 16th centuries.

Through more than eighty works, furnishings such as marriage chests, wall panels, daybeds, headboards, textile artefacts and household objects will take centre stage in an exhibition route designed to reveal the richness and variety of a figurative culture intended to decorate domestic interiors.

Opening hours: every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Thursday from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm.

The Vasari Corridor opens in the evening: sunset visits above Florence from 3 July to 20 November

Florence offers a new special opportunity to experience one of its most fascinating places at a truly evocative time of day: the Vasari Corridor will be open in the evening, at sunset, every Friday from 3 July to 20 November.

An event to mark in your diary if you love art, history and authentic experiences in the heart of the city.

A suspended route between art, history and views

The Vasari Corridor is one of the most famous elevated walkways in the world. It connects the Uffizi Galleries to Palazzo Pitti, crossing the historic centre of Florence and passing over Ponte Vecchio.

It was designed by Giorgio Vasari in 1565 at the request of Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici, with the aim of allowing the grand ducal family to move safely and privately between their private residence at Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio.

Today, this extraordinary route is part of the Uffizi Galleries museum complex and has reopened to visitors after major works to improve safety and accessibility.

Evening visits at sunset

From 3 July to 20 November, there will be 21 evening appointments, every Friday, with guided visits from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

The experience offers the chance to discover the Vasari Corridor in a different atmosphere, when daylight gives way to the warm colours of sunset and Florence reveals itself from a unique perspective: from above, suspended over the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio.

Along the route, visitors will be able to admire not only the historic structure of the corridor, but also views over the city and the more than fifty Roman busts that now enrich the display.

Useful information

Visits are by reservation only and are organised in groups of up to 25 people.

Period: from 3 July to 20 November

Day: every Friday

Time: from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Last admission: 9:50 pm

Meeting point: Uffizi square, Loggia dei Lanzi side

Recommended arrival: at least 10 minutes before the scheduled visit time

Book here

This wonderful Mountain Garden hosts botanical and forestry species typical of the Alto Appennino Pistoiese region: coloured mountain flowers, carnivore and medicinal plants, majestic trees, to be admired accompanied by the gentle murmuring of the Sestaione stream.

Due to the low temperatures and specific micro-climate of the area, this Botanical Garden also includes several Alpine species which have established, in this Apennine section, their southernmost growing limit; an example of this is the red fir (Picea abies), a relic of the last glaciation, which continues to reproduce spontaneously in the nearby Riserva di Campolino.

OPENING HOURS 2026

ABETONE – Forest Botanical Garden

From 27 June to 6 September

Open from Tuesday to Sunday:

9:30 am–12:30 pm and 3:00 pm–6:00 pm

Guided tours:

9:30 am, 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm, 5:00 pm

Closed in cas of bad weather

Puccini Festival 2026 – Torre del Lago

From 10 July to 5 September 2026

The 72nd edition of the Puccini Festival offers operas, concerts and special events in the evocative Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini, overlooking Lake Massaciuccoli.

The programme includes Puccini’s great masterpieces: Turandot, Tosca, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly and La Fanciulla del West, together with special evenings featuring Jonas Kaufmann, Eleonora Abbagnato and Plácido Domingo.

Here is the 2026 programme of the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago, taking place at the Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini and in other venues within the festival complex.

The main programme runs from July to September 2026.

Programme 2026

10 July 2026

Turandot, the Princess with the Heart of Ice

Screening of the documentary film by Alessandro Tofanelli

Venue: Auditorium Caruso

11 July 2026

Rota and Morricone – Cinema in Music

Concert dedicated to great film music

Venue: Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini

Time: 9:15 pm

12 July 2026

Concert by the Italian Navy Band

Venue: Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini

Operas

Turandot

New production for the centenary of the opera

Dates: 17 July, 24 July, 1 August, 9 August 2026

Tosca

Dates: 18 July, 31 July, 8 August, 21 August 2026

La Bohème

Dates: 25 July, 6 August, 28 August 2026

Madama Butterfly

Dates: 7 August, 22 August, 4 September 2026

La Fanciulla del West

Dates: 29 August, 5 September 2026

The main operas are all scheduled at the Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini.

Special events

19 July 2026

Puccini’s Maid

Prose with music

Venue: Auditorium Caruso

22 July 2026

Opera Gala – Tribute to Puccini with Jonas Kaufmann

Venue: Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini

Time: 9:15 pm

27 July 2026

Eleonora Abbagnato – Puccini

Dance performance

Venue: Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini

Time: 9:15 pm

11 August 2026

Puccini, Before God

Prose with music

Venue: Auditorium Caruso

30 August 2026

Grand Gala with Plácido Domingo

Zarzuela, Spanish melodies and Neapolitan songs

Venue: Gran Teatro all’Aperto Giacomo Puccini

Time: 9:15 pm

The famous Antiques Fair of Arezzo is one of the most important and largest antique fairs in Italy, held every first Sunday of the month and the preceding Saturday.

Pictures and paintings, small jewels, ancient and modern furniture, carpets, clocks, silverware, toys, books and vintage prints, collection stamps, musical instruments, gramophones and radios: it is easy to be charmed and indulge in discovering one of the biggest and oldest Italian Antiques Fairs. 

In 1968 a famous antiquarian and collector of Arezzo, Ivan Bruschi, gave birth to this fair which still today fills with its curious bric-a-brac the old town centre, its streets, yards, Vasari Loggia and wonderful Piazza Grande, every first weekend of the month.

For two days the town changes into a multicolor scenery of treasures waiting to be discovered by tourists and collectors: over five hundreds exhibitors from all over Italy meet here with their furniture and objects of all periods and styles, while antiquarians and restorers have multiplied their business, opening their shops during the fair and showing their best items. Experts of antiques and modern antique collecting find here plenty of particular specializations, such as, for instance, scientific tools, Art-Nouveau stained glass windows, Art Deco furnishing.

First Sunday of the month: museums free entrance

It is a very important event involving all the State Museums with specials and free tickets access. Therefore, if you plan to visit Florence, Pisa, Lucca or any other Tuscan town our countless masterpieces without spending one Euro!

For instance in Florence you can visit: the Uffizi Gallery, Academy Museum, Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, Bargello Museum, Medici Chapels, and many other attractions. All of them free of charge!

List of  State Museums in Tuscany HERE. 

The Cathedral of Siena contains numerous masterpieces from every epoch. A work that in many respects is exceptional, is the floor, "the most beautiful ... largest and most magnificent ... that ever was made" in the words of Giorgio Vasari, the fruit of a plan that took on concrete form through the centuries, from the XIV century up to the XVIII century. 

The techniques employed to transfer the ideas of the various artists onto the floor are marble intarsia and graffito: the procedure was initially quite simple but gradually attained a surprising degree of perfection: the first depictions were scratched onto slabs of white marble using a chisel and a drill, and the signs then filled with black stucco. This technique is known as "graffito". Then, coloured marble was employed in much the same manner as wood inlaying. This technique is called "marble intarsia".

The 56 intarsia of the floor are still largely in its original condition. As these artworks are quite sensitive, the entire floor is shown only a few weeks a year. Otherwise, the ground is covered and only a few works are visible for the many tourists that visit the Cathedral of Siena. 

Floor uncovering period in 2026: 27 June – 31 July; 18 August – 15 November 2026.

The Festival is devoted to classical music and opera fans, its main purpose is to highlight the town’s musical  tradition, especially the great operas. 

This  season’s program, from April to October, presents 19 events, set in the most attractive thermal building of  Montecatini Terme, the Terme Tettuccio, which welcomes everybody as in a warm hug and where you can still hear the musical echo of the great composers  who have made Italian classic music famous all over the world.

Opera concerts in which at least 2 singers alternate among the most beautiful voices of the national opera scene accompanied on the piano. The most famous opera arias from the repertoire of Italian and international opera are scheduled, as well as the most famous classic Neapolitan songs.

90 minutes of live music with a break during which guests can enjoy a typical sweet of the city.

The concerts will take place every Wednesday from April to October  in the Music Hall of the Grand Hotel Croce di Malta in Montecatini Terme in Via IV Novembre, 18 at 9.15 pm.

Tickets can be booked by calling +39 3518066988 or by sending an email to info@operaconcerto.it even on the day of the concert.

Further information is available on the website

www.thebestofopera.com.

In the historic center of Fucecchio, the medieval festival Salamarzana takes place again this year. Salamarzana is the Latin name of the ancient medieval castle built on Poggio Salamartano.

Streets, squares, courtyards, gardens, and alleys become the ideal setting for a captivating leap into the Middle Ages. It is a historical reinterpretation with a broad and varied program: reenactments of ancient trades, shows and games, and tastings of typical medieval dishes. Dances, costumed figures, armed groups, musicians, wandering knights, and deformed monsters will complete the rich program of the 'Festival.'

On this occasion, guided tours with historical costumed characters will also be organized to major monuments and sites of ancient construction, including: The Towers of the Ancient Castle of Salamarzana (Parco Corsini), the Palazzo Montanelli della Volta, Poggio Salamartano and the adjacent churches, Palazzo Doddoli-Costagli, and others, including some historic artisan workshops still present in the upper part of the town.

The culinary aspect is particularly well-curated with thematic stations offering typical medieval dishes.

Fucecchio

Saturday, September 5, from 6 PM to Midnight

Sunday, September 6, from 5 PM to Midnight

Murabilia, the Market Exhibition of Potted Flowers and Gardening Items, takes place on the City Walls on the San Regolo and La Libertà bulwarks and in the Botanical Garden.

There are over 200 Italian and foreign specialized nurserymen exhibitors with an offer that ranges in all sectors of the plant world with particular or newly introduced plants, old and new cultivars, equipment and furnishings.

A meeting place for enthusiasts and professionals of the sector with the great names of international gardening, it offers visitors a remarkable cultural, botanical and horticultural program, with thematic exhibitions, conferences, editorial news, workshops open to all, as well as the possibility of buying most beautiful plants and the most professional tools for their care.

Exhibition hours:

Friday from 10 am to 7 pm

Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 am 7 pm

Dogs can enter on a leash.

Further information:

☞ www.murabilia.com

The feast of the Rificolona is one of the  traditional old feasts of Florence that is celebrated in Piazza Santissima Annunziata on 7th September, the day before the religious feast of the Nativity of the Madonna; to reach Florence for the 8th, in fact, the farmers and mountain dwellers set out a few days before with torches and lanterns of all shapes and sizes, with which they lit the mountain and country roads at night, and when they got to Florence, also the dark streets of the city...there was no electricity at that time. The arrival of these people was an unusual sight for Florence and was an occasion for merriment and scorn by the bourgeois (and haughty) Florentine citizens towards the country folk due to their awkward clothing. And so, while the women from the Florentine countryside wandered around amazed at the sight of the Florentine marvels, the youths called them „ferucolone“ or „fieruculone“ ("culona" stays also for large bottom), not so much because they had come to a „fierucuola“ (a not excessively important fair), but rather for their large and prosperous bottoms. 

In the Fifties, picturesque boats fitted out by master Florentine craftsmen sailed along the Arno: hundreds of small paper-lamps were accompanied by orchestras playing romantic ballads.

To this day, children still walk around the city holding coloured paper lanterns to commemorate the tradition.

September Lucensis 2026: Lucca Brings Its History Back to Life

From 5 to 27 September 2026, Lucca welcomes back September Lucensis, a programme of historical events and re-enactments dedicated to the traditions and identity of the city.

Throughout the month, the historic centre comes alive with medieval re-enactments, traditional crafts, duels, flag throwers, music and events connected with the tradition of the Holy Cross. One of the most evocative highlights is the Luminara di Santa Croce on 13 September, when the streets of Lucca are illuminated by thousands of candles.

A wonderful opportunity to visit Lucca and experience the city in a unique atmosphere of history, culture and Tuscan traditions.

September Lucensis – Lucca

5–27 September 2026

Events held in various locations throughout the historic centre.

The event dedicated to music, art and street theater Oltre la Rocca will transform the charming village of Montecatini Alto into a fairy tale. The program is full of moments not to be missed: shows, fantastic performances and surprises, thanks to the presence of artists of international level. The Oltre La Rocca Festival will transport you to the imagination, dreams, beauty and magic of art. In every corner of the town you will be surprised, meet new characters, discover glimpses of the ancient village.

For the occasion, the Montecatini Alto Funicular will also double the rides to the Castle. Around the streets of the village you will meet acrobats, jugglers, actors looking out the windows, clowns, musicians, narrating voices from balconies, aerial dancers, parades on stilts and much more, will suddenly appear to amaze, surprise. 

https://www.oltrelarocca.it

The Sacred Belt of the Prato Cathedral is a thin strip of green fabric with gold brocades and a green tassel and band at the ends. As told in an ancient oriental apocryphal text after the Blessed Virgin's death St. Thomas was carried by angels to the mount of Olives; there he contemplated the Virgin while she was taken up into the Heaven, and received the gift of the belt in proof of the event. According to Prato medieval tradition the sacred belt was then entrusted to a priest and preserved by his descendants. After the first crusade, a Prato pilgrim of modest origins called Michele, fell in love with Maria, the daughter of an oriental priest and married her in secret, against her father's wish and received as dowry the "Sacred Belt" in a small basket made of rushes. After returning to Prato around 1141, Michele spoke to no one about the holy relic and only on his death bed (1172), he donated it to the provost of the nearby church of St. Stephen. The sacred Belt furthermore was considered the most valuable treasure of the entire city, so much so that its public display was established by the bylaws of Commune which still today has in custody a set of the keys required to take it out of the altar. Up to the end of 13th century the holy relic was kept close to the high altar but in 1346 it moved to the left of the main entrance of the ancient church and later Cathedral where in 1386-90  was built, on a project by Lorenzo di Filippo, the chapel that stores the holy relic. The chapel is decorated with frescoes of Stories of the Virgin and of the belt (1392-95), a series of amazing figurative unity painted by Agnolo Gaddi with a faultless technique and luminous colors. On the corner of the façade is the amazing pulpit by Donatello and Michelozzo which was finished in 1438 and created for the display of the Sacred Belt in order to show it to the congregation gathered in the Cathedral square. 

At present the display of the Sacred Belt takes place at Christmas, at Easter, on 1st May, on 15th August and on 8th September with the historical parade and the ancient fair.

Where: Prato - Pulpit of Santo Stefano Cathedral - Piazza Duomo

At 10:00 AM in the Cathedral (Duomo), Solemn Pontifical Mass and presentation of the Town’s Ceri (candles) to the Chapel of the Girdle.

At 8:00 PM, the bell "La Risorta" of Palazzo Pretorio will announce the departure of the Gonfalone (municipal banner) from the Town Hall.

This will be followed by the traditional parade – featuring costumed participants and historical reenactment groups – which will start from Piazza del Comune, proceed through the city center, and arrive at Piazza Duomo, where the Ostension of the Holy Girdle of Mary will take place from the pulpit of the Cathedral.

Montecatini Jazz Festival 2026: programme, venues and times

From 9 to 13 September 2026, Montecatini Terme hosts the second edition of the Montecatini Jazz Festival, with five days of concerts, workshops, jam sessions and live music throughout the town. The main events are free admission.

The heart of the festival will be Piazza del Popolo, Montecatini Terme, with four major evening concerts at 9:15 pm:

Wednesday 9 September, 9:15 pm – Piazza del Popolo: GeGè Telesforo – Jazz Radio

Thursday 10 September, 9:15 pm – Piazza del Popolo: Splanky Big Band

Friday 11 September, 9:15 pm – Piazza del Popolo: Danilo Rea Trio

Saturday 12 September, 9:15 pm – Piazza del Popolo: Stefano Di Battista Quartet – Morricone Stories

On Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September, from 11:00 pm, the music will continue through the streets of the town centre with the travelling performance by the Dixie Brothers, followed by jam sessions in local venues.

On Sunday 13 September, from 11:00 pm, the festival will close with the P-Funking Band, a marching band bringing funk, soul, hip hop and jazz to the streets of central Montecatini Terme.

The Montecatini Jazz Festival is a great opportunity to enjoy an evening of live music during a stay in Tuscany, surrounded by the elegant atmosphere of this famous spa town.

Chianti Classico Expo 2026 in Greve in Chianti

From 10 to 13 September 2026, Piazza Matteotti in Greve in Chianti will host the 54th Chianti Classico Expo.

64 wineries will take part in four days dedicated to wine, the local area, and meeting the producers.

A perfect event for anyone who wants to discover Chianti Classico up close and experience the atmosphere of one of Tuscany’s best-known villages.

September is also the ideal time to spend a few days in Chianti, surrounded by vineyards, charming villages and local flavours.

When: 10–13 September 2026

Where: Piazza Matteotti, Greve in Chianti

Un Altro Parco in Città 2026 in Pistoia

From Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026, Un Altro Parco in Città returns to Pistoia, the event dedicated to greenery that transforms the historic centre into a large urban garden.

For three days, Piazza della Sala, Piazza degli Ortaggi, Piazza Spirito Santo and Piazza del Duomo will be filled with greenery, installations, activities and events dedicated to nature and the environment.

A pleasant opportunity to discover Pistoia in an original and charming atmosphere.

11–13 September 2026

Historic centre of Pistoia

Free admission

On 12 September, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Brocantage Vista Mare returns to Porta a Mare in Livorno. Lots of curiosities and unique objects waiting to be discovered.

⚔️ The magic of the Middle Ages returns to Montevettolini! ⚔️

On Saturday, 12 September 2026, the ancient streets of the village will come alive for the 21st Medieval Festival.

Ladies and lords, jesters, falconers, traditional crafts and spectacular performances will take you on a journey back in time, surrounded by the flavours, scents and atmosphere of a bygone era. 🏹🔥🍷

A special evening to enjoy while strolling through the heart of Montevettolini, with wonders to discover and ancient traditions to experience once again.

🗓️ Saturday, 12 September 2026

⏰ From 4:00 pm to midnight

📍 Montevettolini

🎟️ Free entry, donations welcome

Music in Buggiano Castello: the XXXIII Boris Christoff International Prize

On Saturday, 12 September at 9:15 pm, the evocative setting of Palazzo Pretorio in Buggiano Castello will host the award ceremony of the XXXIII Boris Christoff International Prize, a prestigious event dedicated to the world of opera and classical music.

This year, the award will be presented to soprano Antonella Biondo, who will perform during the evening accompanied at the piano by Maestro Fabrizio Datteri.

The event will take the audience on a refined musical journey through some of the best-loved pages of the international operatic repertoire. The programme will include arias by Puccini, Mozart, Purcell, Mascagni, Donizetti, Bellini and Gounod.

A special opportunity to enjoy an evening of music and culture in one of the most charming villages of the Valdinievole area, surrounded by history, art and timeless atmosphere.

Saturday, 12 September – 9:15 pm

Palazzo Pretorio, Buggiano Castello

Free admission

Visitor Center Refuge – Cascina di Spedaletto  The Bellowing of the Deer - September 12, 19, 26 & October 3, 2026

The beginning of autumn marks the mating season of deer: the forests come alive, and the silence is broken by their bellowing — a haunting love call that can be heard from miles away. Male deer use it to assert dominance and attract females.

The excursions organized by the Visitor Center Refuge – Cascina di Spedaletto offer a chance to hear the deer’s call up close in the woods of Cantagallo and discover the secrets of this spectacular natural ritual.

Suitable for everyone, the outings are a wonderful way to spend a few hours surrounded by the silence and beauty of the forest.

📍 Meeting Point:

Visitor Center Refuge – Cascina di Spedaletto – Cantagallo (PO)

🗓️ Dates & Times

12 September – Meeting at 4:45 pm at the car park of the Cantagallo Visitor Centre. Approximately 9 km hike towards Rifugio Le Cave (packed dinner).

September 19 – Evening hike, meeting at 6:00 PM (packed dinner)

September 26 – Afternoon hike, meeting at 6:00 PM (dinner available at the refuge)

October 3 – Afternoon hike, meeting at 5:30 PM (dinner available at the refuge)

ℹ️ Details

Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours

Difficulty: Easy

Equipment:

Hiking boots (or shoes with good tread), comfortable clothing (a sweatshirt is recommended), rain jacket.

📞 Info & Booking

Booking: Required.

Costs: Prices vary depending on the excursion (for example, €15 for adults and €11 for children under 11 for related activities).

cascinaspedaletto@gmail.com

📱 +39 347 1933742 (Cinzia), +39 338 3037439 (Enrico)

In Pistoia, the second Saturday and Sunday of the month an antique fair is held which attracts  many dealers from all over Tuscany. Here you can find very valuable antiques: furniture, majolica, porcelain, jewelery, clocks, coins, old lacework, crystal goblets and profane and religious period paintings.

On the stalls you can find clothing, utensils and ethnic products, as well as magazines, comics, used garments and other items from the past. 

The market takes place in the so called Cattedrale - not to confuse with the real Cathedral - (Via Pertini) - eccept July and August.

There are about 100 exhibitors who animate the historic city center with various kinds of antiques every second Saturday and Sunday of the month except July and August.

You will find ceramics, glassware and cutlery for a romantic table setting and a very good range of embroidered linen (perhaps an untouched trousseau from a failed marriage). Also sepia paintings, watercolours, vintage  postcards (full of insight into how we lived in the past and complete with shaky handwriting), out-of-print books for the attentive book collector, silver and gold coins from every corner of the globe and much, much more.

Where: Pisa, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Piazza Garibaldi

A long procession along the streets of the historical centre, from the church of San Frediano to the Cathedral, following a line of suffused light from thousands of candles placed on the windows of the buildings situated along the route. This is the „Luminara di Santa Croce“, a particularly suggestive event that takes place every year, on 13th September, on the eve of the fair bearing the same name. This moment of collective devotion signals the cult of the Holy Face, an element that lies at the heart of the religious events of Lucca throughout September. The Holy Face is a 2 and a half metre high crucifix located in an isolated chapel in the left-hand nave of the Cathedral. It was made by Matteo Civitali in 1482. Legend has it that the crucifix was sculpted by Nicodemus, helped by divine grace, in order to hand down the likeness of Christ to future generations. Hidden until the 8th century, it was discovered by Bishop Gualfredo thanks to a dream. The Crucifix was put on a boat at Joppe - now the port of Jaffa - in the Holy Land and sailed without a crew in the Mediterranean, escaping the assaults of pirates. It entered the port of Luni and was taken to the city by the Bishop of Lucca, Giovanni I, in 782. The Holy Face has been venerated since the middle of the eleventh century and has made Lucca a destination for pilgrims from all over Europe. According to the deacon, Leobino, in the hollow behind the crucifix there were some relics of the Passion - including two ampoules with the Precious Blood of Christ. One is kept in the Cathedral of Sarzana while the other is in the Basilica of S. Frediano in Lucca. 

The Procession of the Holy Cross will conclude at the Cathedral of San Martino with the Blessing and the performance of the traditional Motet by the Santa Cecilia Music Chapel.

As tradition dictates, on the evening of September 13th, the fireworks display of the Holy Cross will take place, with colorful fireworks visible from the City Walls starting at 11:30 PM.

Saturday Night Spa

Saturday, September 12, 19, 26, ,

from 7:30 PM to midnight

For an evening of pure relaxation, pamper yourself with a soothing bath under the stars in the thermal pool with rejuvenating whirlpools and

reinvigorate yourself with a steam bath in Europe's largest thermal cave at 34°C.

Includes:

Steam bath in natural thermal cave at 34°C (20 minutes)

Bathing under the stars in the 750 sqm thermal pool at 34°C with underwater whirlpools

Bathing in the Bioaquam thermal path at 34°C with rejuvenating whirlpools

Access to the Thermarium area

Access to the "Bioaquam Pavilion" the new covered and heated relaxation area of 310 m2

Lounge music

€35.00 by reservation

Bioaquam Café poolside open with à la carte menu

(payment upon consumption)

For more information, call 

+39 0572/9077992 or email terme@grottagiustispa.com

https://terme.grottagiustispa.com

Florence - ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO in the Corsini Gardens Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026 

The gardens of Palazzo Corsini are exceptionally open to the public for this occasion. The Exhibition presents over 100 master craftsmen from Italy and from all over the world. During the three days of Artigianato e Palazzo the many artisans and craftsmen will do practical demonstrations of how they achieve their high quality products in the crafting of iron, glass, wood, textiles, precious stones and metals.

ARTIGIANATO E PALAZZO 

Giardino Corsini 

Via della Scala, 115

Via Il Prato 58

Florence

Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th September 2026 

From 10 am to 7.30 pm 

Entrance € 12,00 

Children up to 12 free entrance 
 

Further Information:

 ☞ www.artigianatoepalazzo.it

Camps, exhibitions, games, tastings of local producers, and much more await you on Saturday, September 19th and 20th in Piazza del Duomo in Pistoia! Flag-wavers, musicians, dancers, jesters, and actors, but also falconry performances and historical reenactments with encampments and activities for children. The program for the sixth edition of the event is extensive and designed as a true immersion into the Middle Ages in all its aspects, where you can directly experience history. The event is free of charge.

Complete program: https://www.pistoiamedioevo.it/

Clear Out the Cellar at Parco Pazzagli, Florence

On Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Parco Pazzagli hosts “Clear Out the Cellar”, an event open to everyone with free admission.

A great opportunity to browse second-hand items, vintage finds and unique pieces, giving new life to things that are no longer used.

A pleasant way to spend a few hours outdoors and perhaps discover something special.

When: 19–20 September, 8:00 am–6:00 pm

Admission: free

141st Casalguidi Fair – 16 to 22 September 2026

The Casalguidi Fair returns for its 141st edition, taking place from Wednesday 16 to Tuesday 22 September 2026.

A historic event that has celebrated local traditions, rural roots and community life for over a century, with shows, music, markets, food stands and activities for all ages.

A great opportunity to experience the authentic atmosphere of Casalguidi and the Tuscan countryside.

Second among the antique-dealers' market places of Tuscany for the number of its exhibitors and length of life, the Antique market of Lucca can boast of a solid tradition of quality and reliability thanks to professional antiquarians of high prestige who have always been an important presence in town. 

At the third weekend of each month (on Saturday and Sunday), from 8 am to 7 pm, Lucca opens its gates for a joyful event involving a large portion of the historical centre: from Piazza S. Martino, Piazza Antelminelli and Via Del Battistero - the historical antique dealers' street- ‚ to Piazza San Giusto, and Piazza S. Giovanni up to Piazza Bernardini. It is a gorgeous display of colorful stalls offering not only past vestiges of remarkable artistic value, but also traces of souvenirs impressed on a post-card, on a book, on a knick-knack or on an ornament. 

Furniture, clothes, fabrics, paintings, rare components of old instruments, lamps and chandeliers, old working tools, records..... a wide pattern of old or antique objects‚ patiently gathered and collected after explorations which

are getting more and more difficult. All these things speak to both the tourist and the lover, of a world, which has gone, but not willing to be forgotten yet.

Two unforgettable days around the most charming

streets of the town. It is Art facing Art, History meeting History. A really unique occasion to know Lucca better and taste the pleasure of peeping through the stalls in search of something beautiful to take home and - why not?- probably also making a good bargain! 

Every year, on the third weekend of September, Poggio a Caiano and its Villa commemorate the Grand Duchess Giovanna d’Austria who, during a stay, waiting to get married with Francesco I de’ Medici, to show satisfaction with the good welcome given to her by the local people,

ordered a free distribution of wine from the fountain of Mascherone, positioned on the perimeter wall of the Medici villa. The three days of celebrations re-propose this event

with the distribution of wine, performances and installations from the Renaissance period and a full program of cultural and gastronomic events. 

Flag wavers, historical groups, street artists, falconers, jesters, juggling shows, music and dance, game camps and Renaissance market will perform.

FREE ENTRY TO ALL CONCERTS

LUCCA JAZZ DONNA 2026

📍 Venue: Cloister of Santa Caterina at Real Collegio | Time: 9:15 PM | Admission: free

Five evenings dedicated to women in jazz, featuring performers, composers and musicians from a wide range of artistic backgrounds. The programme moves from a cappella singing to contemporary jazz, from Italian songwriting to Mediterranean and Sephardic sounds, with touches of pop, Brazilian music and musical theatre.

Thursday 6 August – Real Collegio

The opening evening is mainly devoted to the voice and its many expressive possibilities.

Il Quinto Elemento is an all-female vocal quintet performing a cappella, without instrumental accompaniment. The five voices intertwine through refined harmonies, rhythms and arrangements, becoming a true musical ensemble.

In Song of Life, Silvia Benesperi’s voice meets the piano of Piero Frassi and the clarinet and saxophone of special guest Nico Gori. The project offers melodic and elegant jazz, in which singing enters into dialogue with instrumental improvisation.

The evening concludes with Heartsongs, a vocal ensemble accompanied by piano and enriched by the presence of Emanuele Marsico on vocals and trumpet. The concert brings together jazz sensitivity, vocal harmonies and intimate, emotional atmospheres.

Thursday 13 August – Real Collegio

An evening characterised by the meeting of different cultures, repertoires and musical languages.

Arabesque – Trame intrecciate, da Turandot a Chiquinha Gonzaga offers a musical journey connecting seemingly distant worlds. The project explores operatic influences, jazz, South American rhythms and Brazilian music, with an ensemble featuring piano, electric bass, drums, saxophone and bass clarinet.

This is followed by Canzoni raccolte, an intimate and sophisticated repertoire led by Paola Bivona on vocals and ukulele. Guitar, trumpet, double bass and drums accompany a selection of songs reinterpreted with light, refined acoustic sounds, blending jazz, singer-songwriter music and folk influences.

Thursday 20 August – Real Collegio

The third evening explores instrumental jazz and the musical traditions of the Mediterranean.

Quarta Fase brings together tenor saxophone, piano, electric bass and drums. The group performs energetic contemporary jazz, in which written sections alternate with improvisation and dialogue between the instruments. Roberta Brighi’s voice adds a further expressive dimension to the quartet’s sound.

With La Reina – Nawawi Sepharad, singer and composer Tiziana Nauaui takes the audience on a journey inspired by Sephardic culture. Voice, piano, double bass and drums reinterpret melodies and influences from the Spanish-Jewish tradition through contemporary arrangements, Mediterranean atmospheres and musical languages close to jazz and world music.

Thursday 27 August – Real Collegio

Three different projects shape an evening devoted to voice, musical composition and storytelling.

Per Elisa is an intimate performance for voice and piano by Giulia Vazzoler. It is a personal and reflective concert in which singer-songwriter traditions meet jazz influences and piano arrangements.

Dannate Salvatrici brings together the voice of Martina Lupi, the accordion and piano of Manuel Petti, and the guitars of Mattia Lotini. The project has a strongly narrative and theatrical character and tells the stories of intense, unconventional female figures. Its sound ranges from Italian songwriting to folk music, with jazz and Mediterranean nuances.

The evening concludes with A due voci, a project led by singer, songwriter and composer Lucia Filaci together with saxophonist Vittorio Cuculo. Voice and saxophone become the central figures in a musical dialogue supported by piano, keyboards, double bass, electric bass and drums. The result is modern, lyrical and dynamic jazz, in which composition and improvisation meet.

Sunday 20 September – Church of San Francesco

The final concert takes place in the evocative setting of the Church of San Francesco.

The first part of the evening features Katia Karen & Safyre, an ensemble consisting of vocals, guitar, bass and drums. The group presents a repertoire combining jazz, soul, pop and contemporary sounds, enhanced by the distinctive vocal personality of Katia Karen Piacentini.

This is followed by Dialoghi immaginari – Gaber e De André: dilemmi, anomalie e illogiche allegrie, an original tribute to two great figures of Italian songwriting. Maria Laura Baccarini’s voice is accompanied by piano, accordion, string instruments, cello, drums and percussion.

The songs of Giorgio Gaber and Fabrizio De André are reinterpreted as an imaginary dialogue combining irony, poetry, social commitment and reflections on the human condition. More than a traditional concert, the performance takes the form of a musical and theatrical narrative, alternating profound moments, evocative atmospheres and passages of subtle lightness.

From September 26 to October 4, the Lucca Film Festival offers an incredible journey through modern and international cinema. From India to Chile, passing through Japan and the United States, films that have participated in some of the world's most important festivals, including the Berlinale - Berlin International Film Festival, Locarno Film Festival, and Shanghai International Film Festival, will be showcased.

Directors, actors, and cinephiles from around the globe will gather for a celebration of the big screen that goes beyond simple screenings, offering retrospectives, meetings with authors, masterclasses, and a variety of special events.

Full program available at

www.luccafilmfestival.it

Pistoia will welcome the 8th “Vintage Fiat 500 and Derivatives (1957–1977)” Rally in Piazza Duomo, organized by the Pistoia branch of the Fiat 500 Club Italia.

An unmissable event for enthusiasts of these iconic Italian small cars, made even more special by the presence of the Fanfare Band of the 4th Carabinieri Regiment on Horseback.

Throughout the morning, visitors will have the opportunity to admire these historic cars that played such an important role in Italy’s post-war era.

The European Heritage Days are an initiative promoted by the Council of Europe and the European Union to celebrate the richness and diversity of European cultural heritage. Every year, in September, thousands of historical sites, monuments, and museums across Europe open their doors to the public, offering guided tours, special events, and educational activities. The goal is to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of protecting cultural heritage and to promote intercultural dialogue, making culture accessible to everyone.

On this occasion, on Saturday, September 26, some state museums will be open in the evening for an entrance fee of €1.00. During the two days, guided tours and initiatives will be organized in both state-owned and private museums and cultural venues, under the theme “Heritage on the Move”.

State museums exceptionally open in the evening (no booking available):

Uffizi Gallery: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Accademia Gallery: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

San Marco Museum: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Bargello Museum: 7:00 PM - 9:50 PM

Palazzo Davanzati: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Archaeological Museum: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Opificio delle Pietre Dure: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Cenacolo di Sant'Apollonia: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (free)

Museums exceptionally open in the afternoon:

• San Marco Museum: 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM (paid admission)
• Archaeological Museum: 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM (paid admission)
• Cenacolo di Andrea del Sarto: 8:15 AM - 9:00 PM (free)
• Chiostro dello Scalzo: 8:15 AM - 6:00 PM (free)

Arti e Mestieri is an arts and crafts market in the historic center of Lucca, with a big number of exhibitors that meet every last weekend of the month in Piazza San Giusto, Piazza Cittadella and Piazza XX Settembre with many traditional and original products from Tuscany.

At Arti e Mestieri there are ceramists, painters, sculptors, leather, glass and papier-mâché artisans, weavers, jewelers, cabinet makers, seamstresses and embroiderers, knitting and crochet experts. The artisans-artists offer their exclusive products in a colorful market: bijoux in silver, ceramic and crochet, natural products for body care, fountain pens worked on the lathe, bags, belts and leather bracelets, painted stones, scented lavender, splendid paintings and sculptures.

🎉 San Michele Festival in Carmignano 2026

On September 25, 26, 27 and 29, Carmignano celebrates Saint Michael the Archangel with one of the area’s most beloved and distinctive festivals, a tradition dating back to the 1930s.

🎭 The town centre turns into a huge open-air theatre: the four districts – Arcangelo (Light Blue), Arte (Green), Leone (Yellow) and Torre (White) – compete with spectacular performances featuring scenic floats, costumes, music, dance and choreography, all created thanks to the dedication and creativity of many local residents.

📅 Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26: evening Street Theatre performances

☀️ Sunday, September 27: afternoon performances and final results

⛪ Tuesday, September 29: a day dedicated to Saint Michael, patron saint of Carmignano, with religious celebrations and community events.

After the hottest months have boiled away, summer is beginning to hand over the baton to autumn, and around here autumn means grape harvest, perhaps the most anticipated event for the farming world. Festivals and fairs are popular throughout Tuscany, but the most famous and ancient remains the Grape Festival at Impruneta. Since 1930, the town above Florence has celebrated this occasion, interrupted only by wartime and the Covid pandemic. Throughout the month of September, Impruneta teems with activities, and the cool hillside air only adds that extra touch of pleasure to an almost bucolic atmosphere; during this period various events and wine tastings take place, and locally crafted products are also exhibited.

The main protagonists are the four districts of Impruneta: The Fornace district, The Sante Marie district, the Pallò district, and the Sant’Antonio district, which dedicate themselves to the creation of allegorical floats. During this phase, everyone can participate in the work (mainly carried out in the evenings) accompanied by joyful dinners prepared by the women of the district. But beware, everything must be ready for the last Sunday of the month (this year on September 29th), the day of the float parade in Piazza Buondelmonti.

"The Fornace District" (red color) owes its name to the places where terracotta processing is carried out. "The Sante Marie District" (celestial blue color) takes its name from the homonymous mountain located in the center of the district's territory. "The Pallò District" (green color) derives its name from the existence in ancient times of a flat area used for playing bowls: the "pallaio". It is for this reason that three red bowls appear on the district's coat of arms above a silver vine leaf. Lastly, "The Sant’Antonio District" (white color) refers to Mount S. Antonio, a wooded hill that almost touches the beautiful square of Impruneta, where there is a chapel dedicated to the saint.

Each district will prepare at least three floats, supported by hundreds of extras, dances, and beautiful accompanying performances.