10 Events and Exhibitions Not to Be Missed in Florence in February 2026

With the New Year celebrations over and the return to work and study behind us, what are the things to do in Florence in February 2026? Between music, cinema, art, and theater, there is no shortage of options. In fact, Florentine nights—in the words of Heinrich Heine—come alive with shows and concerts that are not to be missed, rivalling the best events of the year in the rest of Italy.

From the Teatro della Pergola to the La Compagnia movie theatre, via the Brillante - Nuovo Teatro Lippi and the Museo degli Innocenti, Florence comes alive with a multitude of events waiting to be discovered. February is packed with rendezvous of all kinds, from comedies and plays to sophisticated experimental research and unique reworkings of classical and traditional music.

The Tuscan capital is not only home to the world's most famous heritage of Renaissance art and architecture masterpieces: in February, the city transforms itself and offers international experiences including exhibitions, installations, live performances, and experiments. A journey that unfolds in different neighborhoods and several spaces throughout the city, like a widespread laboratory of culture and entertainment.

This month, Florence offers incredible opportunities for citizens and visiting tourists, but also for those seeking relaxation, socializing, and fun and who want to enjoy unique experiences. Here are the 10 events not to be missed in February, off the beaten track, accompanied by a series of useful information and practical and valuable tips to enjoy them to the fullest. Ready to go?

Born in Paris in 1962, Irina Brook is the daughter of director Peter Brook and actress Natasha Parry. After acting for the Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord and in various productions in London, she made her directorial debut in 1996 with Richard Kalinoski's Beast on the Moon. With her company, Irina's Dream Theatre, she has toured the world with highly successful shows.

In Florence, as part of the Artifici platform of the Fondazione Teatro della Toscana, the Anglo-French director is staging a new collective theater workshop of research and creation, inspired by the themes and images of Dante's Inferno. The experience is open to people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience (the registration fee is €30) and promises to be playful and totally participatory.

"Through improvisation, physical exercises, dance, play, and sharing, the workshop invites participants to get to know themselves better, discover their creative potential, and rediscover the joy of being together in a space of freedom and imagination," explain the production notes. The goal is "not to produce a show, but to share an experiential and creative journey."

When: February 1; 6-8; 13-15; 20-22 
Where: Teatro della Pergola

La Compagnia movie theatre in Via Cavour, in the heart of Florence, is hosting the 11th edition of the international festival dedicated to the world of short films. Italian and international directors present their films in three main categories (fiction, animation, documentaries), competing for jury and audience awards. There will also be masterclasses with leading figures from the world of cinema and animation.

The selection features 21 titles from around the world. Seven are in the fiction category (from the Lebanese Baadarane by Samah El Kadi to the Italian Arca by Lorenzo Quagliozzi, a surprising essay on cinema and dystopian sci-fi), seven in animation (from the Irish Retirement Plan by John Kelly to the Iranian Like Friend, Like Deer and Holy Heaveness) and seven in documentary, from Georgia's What Does the Mud Whisper by Dea Tcholokava to Sweden's Fear Fokol by Tuva Björk.

When: From 5th to 7th February 
Where: Cinema La Compagnia

Founded in Vienna in 1993 between the conservatory and the pub that gave them their name, Mnozil Brass is one of the most virtuosic and acrobatic brass bands in the world. The show they are bringing to the Teatro Verdi in Florence is called STRAU$$ and is an irreverent tribute to the universe of the quintessential Viennese composer. They move nimbly from waltzes to Ravel, Mozart, Gershwin, Billy Joel, Lady Gaga, and many others.

The mix is cheeky, ironic, and unmistakable: surreal slapstick comedy and musical virtuosity come together in a crossover that moves nimbly from classical to folk, from jazz to contemporary pop. From the mid-19th century to the present day, Europe's most entertaining brass band takes us on a cultured and exhilarating journey through the history of dance music. Tickets range from €34.50 (IV sector) to €50.60 (I sector).

When: February 11
Where: Teatro Verdi

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival returns to Italy with the Italian part of the festival dedicated to mountain cinema held every year in Canada in the picturesque setting of the Rocky Mountains. Organized by the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity and curated in Italy by Itaca - The Outdoor Community, the event brings stories of mountaineering, adventure, and skiing and snowboarding explorations to the big screen. The 14th edition is on tour in Italy from February 3 to March 20.

There are six films scheduled in Florence, including short and medium-length films: Cold Calls by Alexi Godbout with skiers Alexi Godbout, Emma Patterson, Jacob Bélanger, and Alex Armstrong; Ephemeral by Josiah Jones with mountaineer Jeff Mercier; Gabon Uncharted by David Arnaud with the Send kayak team; Mandala by Kilian Bron, Pierre Henni, and Valentin Birant; My Grandmother's Sketchbooks - Under Mont Blanc by Max Romey; Robson by Philip Forsey with mountaineers Christina Lustenberger and Guillaume Pierrel.

When: February 12 
Where: The Space Cinema Firenze Novoli

Fresh from Quintorigo's celebratory reunion and busy with numerous solo projects, the singer and composer is touring with the John De Leo Trio, one of his earliest musical incarnations. Accompanying his unique and unmistakable voice are long-time collaborators Fabrizio Tarroni on guitar and Franco Naddei (aka Francobeat) on "sound manipulation."

De Leo's voice-instrument is the main rhythmic element of the performance, but Tarroni intervenes with his semi-acoustic Gibson "played like a real percussion instrument" and Francobeat with real-time sampling, capable of adding "a more electronic overall sound" to the acoustic matrix. An unconventional concert, but for everyone. Tickets cost €18 in advance and €25 at the door, if available.

When: February 13
Where: Sala Vanni

Eight years after Tornano sempre, Angela Baraldi released her tenth record, 3021, in 2025. The album features eight tracks (composed together with guitarist Federico Fantuz and produced with Ale Sportelli) that imagine the sound of the planets and space. It is an energetic and profound immersion in rock songwriting promoted by Caravan, Francesco De Gregori's label distributed by Sony.

The Bolognese singer-songwriter is on tour to present this work, which transports the audience on interstellar journeys and through infinite galaxies for an exciting exploration of the future. "A dark and intense voice that takes us into a nocturnal, intimate world of sound without superstructures," as the promoters at Friends & Partners explain. Ticket prices at Arci Brillante are more than reasonable: advance tickets cost €7.

When: February 19 
Where: Brillante - Nuovo Teatro Lippi

Born in Castel Goffredo in the province of Mantua, with punk attitude and international flair, Bee Bee Sea have four albums under their belt and have played numerous live shows across Europe and the United States. In their songs, the trio—Damiano "Wilson Wilson" Negrisoli, Giacomo Parisio, and Andrea Onofrio—describe provincial life with a mix of garage, rock 'n' roll, and psychedelia: a combination that even won over Iggy Pop, who played them on his BBC radio show.

The trio is on tour to present their latest album, Stanzini Can Be Allright, twelve tracks that reference The Gizmos (a legendary punk band from Indiana in the late 1970s) in the title and, in fact, move with extreme agility from pop to punk, always maintaining their dynamic and dirty, direct and irresistible sound. They are welcomed in Florence by ExFila, a former pencil factory that has been regenerated by Arci.

When: February 21 
Where: ExFila

The Museo degli Innocenti in Piazza della Santissima Annunziata houses over 170 works by the artist, whose portraits depict the nightlife and bohemian lifestyle of Montmartre in the late 19th century. The advertising posters, color lithographs, drawings, promotional graphics, and illustrations created by the French painter are accompanied by period furnishings, artifacts, and materials, offering visitors an authentic journey through time.

Among the other works by leading figures of the Belle Époque and Art Nouveau on display, the female figures of Alphonse Mucha, the dreamlike and refined illustrations of Georges de Feure, the colorful posters of Jules Chéret (the pioneer of modern advertising), and the poetic prints of Frédéric-Auguste Cazals and Paul Berthon stand out. The exhibition is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.: a full-price ticket costs €16, while an open-date ticket (valid for entry on any date and at any time) costs €18.

When: Until 21 February
Where: Museo degli Innocenti

After his tour celebrating forty years of Un sabato italiano, the Roman singer-songwriter returns to the stage with Ne approfitto per fare un po' di musica (I Take This Opportunity to Make Some Music), a new show featuring the greatest hits of his long career. Born in 1954, Caputo is an anomaly in Italian singer-songwriter music: songs such as Italiani Mambo, Non bevo più tequila, and Il Garibaldi innamorato are pieces of absolute refinement and intelligence.

As announced by the promoters of Prg, Ne approfitto per fare un po' di musica will be a show "based on flexibility, in which Sergio will recount stories and songs that have marked his life and, like many people's, accompanied as always by a band of extraordinary musicians." Tickets are available at various prices: €31 for the third sector, €36.80 for the second and €42.50 for the first. For those who want to learn more or prepare themselves, the documentary È sempre un sabato italiano, dedicated to the genesis of his debut album, is available on RaiPlay.

When: February 26
Where: Teatro Cartiere Carrara

Italian singer Stefano "Elio" Belisari takes a break from his band, Elio e le Storie Tese, and, together with pianist Alberto Tafuri, his companion in the musical adventures of X Factor and the shows of recent years, takes to the stage with an ironic journey to discover sadness in all its nuances. Between art and music, melancholy and lightheartedness, the pair surprises the audience with cultured and pop references (from Catullus to Virginia Woolf, from Munch to Donald Duck) alongside sweet and cheerful songs.

"The intent is to show how sadness can also be a source of reflection and growth," specify the production notes. A delicate and surprising recital, ironic and touching, featuring songs ranging from the Beach Boys to Enzo Jannacci, Nino Rota, Rita Pavone, and James Taylor. Full price tickets cost €19, reduced tickets (under 35 and season ticket holders, Unicoop Firenze members, over 65 and special agreements) from €15 to €17.

When: February 27 and 28
Where: Nuovo Rifredi Scena Aperta