The 24th of June is one of the most important festivities for the city of Florence if you’ve been here before you know how big and exciting the celebrations for San Giovanni are in Florence. Between the final of Calcio Storico and the “Fochi” (fireworks) that light up the Florentine night sky. But this year with the pandemic in the act, things are going to be a little different. No Fochi, and no final of Calcio Storico.

How will Florence celebrate San Giovanni?

This year the city of Florence will team up with other two major cities in Italy that share the patron saint, Genoa, and Turin. Celebrations from each city will be streamed on sangiovannix3.it and Raiplay. So you’ll be able to see how 3 different cities are going to celebrate their patron saint.

But I’m going to focus our aim on Florence, cause that’s what we do best.

Some of the most important museums, like Palazzo Vecchio (from 10 am to 3 pm), Villa Bardini, the Museo del Novecento (both from 3 pm to 8 pm), will be free to visit but only prior a reservation as to make sure there isn’t overcrowding. To reserve a spot click here.

From 5 pm on the Salone dei Cinquecento will host an event with the mayor Dario Nardella, the alderman Sacchi and a variety of Italian celebrities.

At 5.30 pm there will be a concert directed by Zubin Mehta, inside the Duomo, so that could be pretty cool to see, online.

San Giovanni in Florence Santa Croce
Photo by marue on Unsplash

At 6 pm in Piazza Santa Croce, which would usually host the San Giovanni final of Calcio Storico in Florence there will be an event to thank all medical staff that helps fight the pandemic.

Now, after everyone is finished visiting the museums, the locations will be live-streamed for the San Giovanni x3 event, with drones flying inside the museums. I’m hoping for some extreme Renaissance style drone races, but I don’t think that’s the plan. I can still dream though.

When the night comes around the city won’t be lighting up the sky with fireworks, but rather will be projecting light shows on some of the most important locations of the city, like the Duomo, San Miniato al Monte, and the historical doors that lead into the city.

A different San Giovanni in Florence this year, but it’ll be one that no one will ever forget.

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