Wondering what it will be like to spend the New Year in Florence?

Interested to find out what events take place on New Year’s Eve, or what is closed on New Year’s Day? My guide to everything you need to know is here to help.

New Year’s Eve to me has always been a bit of a difficult holiday. It’s easy to feel a bit lost, especially if you’re not a big party-goer but you still want to enjoy your night.

Like I already mentioned, New Year’s Eve in Florence is not so much about big fancy parties. Instead, in my group of friends we like to cook together, sit down for an (almost endless) meal, play games, watch some fireworks and then call it a night.

I feel that this is true for a lot of Italians, even though, of course, there are going to be events and private fancy parties in lots of places as well. If people are not cooking at home, they will go out for a cenone, a big dinner on New Year’s Eve in a restaurant.

Restaurants tend to have special menus for this night, and they serve a glass of bubbles at midnight on December 31.

The Lentil Tradition

Fundamental for the New Year event are lentils. Lentils? Yes, lentils! Their round shape represent fortune and money, and therefore must be consumed right after midnight to ensure that you will be prosperous in the year ahead.

There’s no way of getting around this. You don’t want to miss out on your good fortune, right?

Fireworks

You’ll also find a lot of young Florentines setting off firecrackers around midnight. It’s something I hate (and my dog equally so), because people by then have usually had quite a bit to drink, so the things fly everywhere. If you’re anything like me and get jumpy with loud noises, you might want to avoid going for a walk in the city streets between midnight and 1AM…

There are bigger, more official fun firework displays to see though, with at a minimum a big display set off from Piazzale Michelangelo.

Florentine New Year

A tradition that has nothing to do with New Year’s Eve as we know it, but that Florentines are still very proud of is the Florentine New Year, celebrated on March 25.

These celebrations date back to medieval times, when the Florentine calendar was still based on religious holidays. March 25 corresponds exactly to 9 months before Christmas, and thus with the day on which Mary got the announcement that she was pregnant with Jesus.

In 1582 Florence adopted the Gregorian calendar, with January 1 being the first day of the year, but stubborn as Florentines are they refused to give up on their traditional New Year.

Until 1749 this situation remained unresolved, and March 25 was the official New Year in Florence. And ever since it has been an unofficial one…

If you happen to be in Florence on March 25, go watch the parade that departs from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa and ends at the church of Santissima Annunziata to honour the Virgin Mary.

Back to the official New Year in Florence. What are you going to do to start the new year in a memorable way?

New Year’s Eve Concerts

First of all, on New Year’s Eve in Florence there will be public and free concerts all around the historic center in various piazzas. Apart from all of this free entertainment, most big bars and venues will organize their own concerts or parties.

New Year’s Eve in Florence Events

This is a good website to keep an eye on to figure what will be going on in the main squares and streets of Florence.

There will also be theatre and all kinds of other entertainment leading up to midnight. People will usually do a big countdown together, and after that open bottles of sparkling wine and exchange auguri (best wishes) for the new year.

If you’re spending New Year’s Eve in Florence in the Oltrarno area of the city, you’ll probably run into one of the marching bands playing around midnight, being followed by a big crowd of people.

Keep an eye on the different event location websites for updates on prices, times etc. or ask your hotel or accommodation to figure out the details for you.

Most big hotels will also have special arrangements both for this night and for breakfast the next morning.

Fireworks

At midnight a big firework display will start from Piazzale Michelangelo to mark New Year’s Eve in Florence. If you want to see it, make sure you get to the river (preferably the northern shore) on time, because everyone flocks to the river to watch the spectacle.

Don’t forget to wrap up warm, those winter nights can be cold.

If you’re looking for spectacular pictures with the Ponte Vecchio against a sky full of fireworks, you want to be on the Ponte Santa Trinita or at the Lungarno between the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita.

Because of the river views, the fireworks here can be impressive than in other cities like Rome.

New Year’s Eve Concert

If classical music is more your thing, there are various places where you can enjoy a New Year’s concert.

Concerts take place on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, as well as the holidays in general, so there’s something for everyone’s taste.

Take a look at the available concerts here for some inspiration but be aware that special holiday concerts tend to be scheduled fairly last minute.

January 1 is, together with Christmas Day, probably one of the quietest days of the year in Florence. Many museums and shops are closed, as Italians tend to spend this day at home with family and make the most of the national holiday.

In the city a few museums will be open (but the big ones like the Uffizi, Accademia and Pitti Palace are closed).

Some restaurants will organize a New Year’s lunch, with a similar concept to the night before, a big set menu for a set price, but many will be open as normal for lunch if not for dinner.

However, don’t be fooled by the closed businesses. A lot of Florentines and tourists will be out and about, going for a walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for example or along the Arno River.

And even with many museums closed, there are still a ton of things to do in Florence on this day. You can attend mass if you wish, with services taking place at the major basilicas like Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and the main cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore.

Most churches will be open after mass is finished. So, you can make your way to one of the many beautiful examples you’ll find in the city, like San Miniato al Monte, Santa Trinita or Santo Spirito.

Most tour operators will also run tours on January 1, doing guided tours of the Tuscan capital and running other activities. Take a look at what they are doing or check with your hotel to see if they know of any activities being organized in the city.

The festive season continues until January 8, Epiphany, so you will still be able to enjoy the illuminated streets with Christmas decorations.

The light shows of the Green Line Florence light festival also are still up at this time, which is fun to see if you’re traveling with kids. Take a walk through the city, and after that warm up with a glass of wine or hot chocolate in one of the bars that are open.

If you are planning to visit Florence over the New Year, you’re probably wondering what it will be like.

Transport Restrictions

Public transport does run on both days, but on a Sunday/holiday timetable.

This means that there are reduced options that run less frequently, so if your travel plans depend on taking public transportation, check your options well in advance.

New Year Closures

As noted above, January 1 is a public holiday so shops, banks, museums and other businesses will be closed.

There are some exceptions, many restaurants do open for example, but you should not plan to visit any major sites on this day, and check in advance if you have a specific destination in mind.

New Year’s Eve is not a public holiday but you’ll likely find places close earlier than normal.

If you need to buy something urgently, there are a few mini markets dotted around that will be open, especially around the train station and main sights.