Florence in August: A Complete Guide to Events, Exhibitions, and Activities

What to do in Florence in August?

Even in the heart of summer, with warm temperatures, the city offers visitors a wealth of opportunities for entertainment and discovery.

The fewer crowds, the quieter museums, with fewer lines for visitors.

August in Florence means less crowded streets and squares than other periods. This way, we can fully enjoy the local beauty.

Temporary exhibitions and a rich program of events offer plenty of opportunities for adults and children alike.

Finally, Florentine nights and evenings take center stage, with festivals, music, dancing, and events of all kinds.

Events Not to Miss in Florence in August

Among the many events organized by organizations and associations in the city in the heart of summer, some truly unmissable ones stand out.

Here are the most important events in Florence in August:

San Lorenzo Market: On August 10th, on the feast of San Lorenzo, we can visit the famous Florentine market, brimming with artisanal products. Celebrations for the religious holiday are also held, complete with a parade in historical costumes and an evening dinner in the square.
Florentine Summer: Between June and September, the city will come alive with numerous events organized under the umbrella of the Florentine Summer event. Throughout the month of August, there will also be recreational and educational events in various locations. There will be events dedicated to culture, reading, dance, art, music, and cinema.
Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday of the month, the market is held at Piazzale delle Cascine, organized by Coldiretti. The project brings together small farmers and artisans with the aim of offering the public quality products in line with environmental sustainability policies.

Theaters, museums, and outdoor spaces will host concerts and performances by renowned artists:

August 6: “Jeremy and the Idols” – Concert included in the “Estate in Villa” program in District 2;
August 7: “Eighty Years Ago – Small and Large Stories of the Liberation” – Theater performance included in the “Estate in Villa” program in District 2;
August 8: “Gillo Swing – Radio in the Squares” – Concert included in the “Estate in Villa” program in District 2.

Exhibitions and museums open in the city in August

On the first Sunday of every month, you can enjoy free admission to museums throughout Italy thanks to the #DomenicalMuseo initiative.

This event is also confirmed for the month of August.

On the first Sunday, you can enjoy free admission to:

Uffizi Gallery: Piazzale degli Uffizi 6;
Accademia Gallery: Via Ricasoli 58-60;
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens: Piazza Pitti 1;
Bargello National Museum: Via del Proconsolo 4;
Garden of Villa Medicea di Castello: Via di Castello 44;
Villa Il Ventaglio Park: Via G. Aldini 10/12;
MAF National Archaeological Museum of Florence: S.S. Annunziata 9;
Andrea del Sarto’s Last Supper at San Salvi: Via di San Salvi 16.

There are many diverse exhibitions in Florence this August:

“Dissolvenze. Corresponding to Time” – MAD Murate Art District. Until August 8, 2025;
“Andrea Raggi. Humanitas. The Power of Love” – Basilica of San Lorenzo. Until August 8, 2025;
“Vertigo. Zenith Photographs” – Libreria Brunelleschi. Until August 31, 2025;
“Giovan Battista Foggini (1652–1725). Grand Ducal Architect and Sculptor” – Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Until September 9, 2025;
“Wang Yancheng. Light, Energy, Infinite” – Galleria dell’Accademia. Until September 21, 2025;
“Marion Baruch. An Oax Ahead, Many Behind” – Museo Novecento. Until October 8, 2025;
“1925-2025: One Hundred Years of the History of Science in Florence” – Museo Galileo. Until October 19, 2025;
“Haley Mellin. We Are Nature” – Museo Novecento. Until October 29, 2025;
“Lorenzo Bonechi. The City of Women” – Museo Novecento. Until October 29, 2025;
“Slavko Kopac. The Hidden Treasure. Informal Art, Surrealism, Art Brut.” Academy of the Arts of Drawing. Until November 13, 2025;
“Supernovecento” – Various locations. Until November 30, 2025;
“MP5. The Third Dimension” – Museo Novecento. Until December 31, 2025;
“Leonardo Meoni Reveries in Velvet and Concrete” – Zerial Art Project. Until December 31, 2030.

Outdoor Activities and Summer Evenings in Florence in August

What summer activities are available in Florence in August?

Let’s discover them all:

Visit museums and monuments: Uffizi Gallery, Duomo, Galleria dell’Accademia, Palazzo Vecchio. Florence is rich in museums and monuments that can be visited at any time of year;
Parks and Gardens: seeking coolness but also to admire breathtaking views, unique plants and flowers, and fabulous structures and architecture. In Florence, we can visit the Boboli Gardens, the Rose Garden, Parco delle Cascine, the “Giardino dei Semplici” Botanical Garden, the garden of Villa Medicea di Castello, the Parnaso Gardens, the Bobolino Garden, the Garden of the Royal Stables, the Martin Luther Garden, and the Villa il Ventaglio Park;
Walks: among the locations closest to the city center for pleasant walks are Parco delle Cascine, Viale dei Colli, and the Lungarni, from San Niccolò to Forte Belvedere and all the way to San Miniato al Monte;
River beaches: Relax at the River Urban Beach along the Arno, near Piazza Poggi, or at Terzo Giardino in San Niccolò;
Day trips: Plan a true escape, choosing from the many destinations available within easy reach. These include Fiesole, Bagno a Ripoli, Impruneta, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Greve in Chianti, Monte Fioralle, Certaldo, Scarperia, Vinci, Montaione, and San Gimignano.

Movie nights are especially important.

During the month of August, many cinemas and outdoor venues will offer audiences the opportunity to enjoy old classics, new releases, animated films, and documentaries.

Here are the places in Florence where you can watch summer movies:

Museo Novecento: presents the season’s best films, also hosting actors and directors;
Cortile degli Uffizi: the summer film festival “Apriti Cinema” has become a fixture of the Florentine summer. Films are shown in their original language with Italian subtitles every evening.
Manifattura Tabacchi: The summer arena Cinema in Manifattura boasts a rich program of films, selected by the Stensen Foundation, including classics, rediscoveries, and in-depth analysis.
Villa Bardini: Cinema under the stars in one of the city’s most beautiful panoramic locations. The Belvedere Terrace is the protagonist with the “Cinema in Villa” series, featuring a selection of films released during the past season and others scheduled for this summer.
Cinema Chiardiluna: Italian classics and international films will be screened at the Oltrarno Arena, in the San Frediano area.
Outdoor Cinema Notte: In the Parco del Poggetto, near the Flog garden, you can watch films of all genres in a pleasant and relaxing setting.
Light – Il Giardino di Marte: The summer venue Light in Campo di Marte offers open-air cinema every Sunday evening, with films, documentaries, and animation.
New Universal Cinema at the Conventino: great films from the past and more recent titles will be screened in the captivating cloister area.