What to do in Florence March 2026: 8 unmissable events

Florence in March feels different: the light softens, gliding over Renaissance façades and bringing new life to historic gardens as they begin to awaken. The air is still crisp, yet already tinged with the scent of spring: a moment of transition when the Tuscan capital prepares itself for a new season of beauty, events, and vibrant cultural life.

Quieter than during the peak months, the city offers exhibitions, festivals, performances, and appointments worth marking on your calendar and enjoying at an unhurried pace.

March, in short, is the perfect time to explore Florence not only through its world-famous masterpieces, but also by following the busy calendar that animates historic palaces, theatres, and scenic piazzas.

March 2026 promises countless opportunities to tune into Florence’s most authentic and contemporary soul. A city of art par excellence, cradle of the Renaissance and a cultural laboratory for centuries, Florence comes alive with initiatives ranging from art to music, from flowers to historical traditions, alongside temporary exhibitions and festivals that speak equally to visitors and locals.

Here is a carefully curated selection of events not to be missed in Florence March 2026, designed for those who want to enjoy the city in all its facets and be pleasantly surprised by a spring that feels less like a season and more like a state of mind.

For centuries in Florence, the year did not begin on 1 January but on 25 March, the day of the Annunciation. Even after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the city continued to follow its own civil calendar, keeping this date as New Year’s Day until 1750.

Today, the Florentine New Year is an official celebration of the City of Florence and is marked by a historic parade that sets off from the Palagio di Parte Guelfa and winds through the historic centre to the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata, the city’s principal Marian sanctuary. Here, the fresco of the Annunciation, symbol of the celebration and its spiritual heart, is preserved, restoring Florence’s most ancient New Year in perfect harmony with the arrival of spring.

Where: Historic centre
When: 25 March

Florence March 2026 brings an unmissable event for art lovers and welcomes Mark Rothko with a major exhibition promoted by Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, dedicated to one of the undisputed masters of American modern art. An international-scale project that introduces the city to the silent, hypnotic power of his iconic colour fields, capable of speaking directly to emotion.

Curated by Christopher Rothko, the artist’s son, together with Elena Geuna, the exhibition unfolds as a city-wide journey across three symbolic venues. The core of the show is hosted at Palazzo Strozzi, presenting works created between 1930 and 1970, including monumental paintings, many of them shown in Italy for the first time, on loan from the Rothko family as well as major international museums and collections.

The dialogue between past and present extends beyond the palace walls. Selected works enter into conversation with the frescoes of Beato Angelico at the Museum of San Marco, while another section is set within the evocative Michelangelo-designed vestibule of the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana. 

Where: Palazzo Strozzi, Piazza degli Strozzi
When: From 14 March

ABBA Dream is an immersive show designed to transport audiences straight back to the golden age of ABBA. From the very first moments, spectators are drawn into a world of lights, colours, and iconic sounds, where sparkling costumes, striking stage designs, and meticulously crafted choreography recreate the unmistakable atmosphere of the band’s legendary live performances. Video projections and special effects further enhance the experience, turning the concert into a true sensory journey.

At its core, the show is a heartfelt and passionate tribute to a band that shaped the history of global pop music. ABBA Dream celebrates songs that have crossed decades and generations, bringing to the stage those timeless emotions that still make audiences of all ages sing along and dance.

The tribute comes to life thanks to a close-knit group of talented musicians, capable of reinterpreting ABBA’s repertoire with remarkable fidelity and infectious energy. An event that undoubtedly deserves a place among the experiences to enjoy in Florence in March 2026.

Where: Teatro Cartiere Carrara, Via Fabrizio De André, Lungarno Aldo Moro
When: Friday, 20 March 2026

At the end of March, Florence quite literally bursts into bloom with the return of the Florence Flower Show. Taking place over the weekend of 28 and 29 March 2026, this market exhibition dedicated to rare and unusual plants transforms the evocative Giardino Corsini into a botanical haven.

The spring edition brings together some of the finest exhibitors from across Italy, inviting visitors to enjoy two days outdoors devoted to high-quality floriculture and gardening. Alongside the exhibition area, the programme is enriched with free activities designed for all ages, making the event both educational and engaging.

Around seventy producers and collectors of botanical rarities present carefully selected varieties and exclusive national premieres. From roses to the rarest hydrangeas, from orchids to citrus trees in countless varieties, alongside camellias, azaleas, succulents and cacti, the range is impressively diverse. Centuries-old olive trees, Mediterranean plants, perennials, and seasonal bulbs complete the picture.

The experience is rounded out by sections dedicated to garden and home décor, fine craftsmanship, food and wine excellences, and wellness products, all united by a shared theme: a deep and enduring connection with nature.

Where: Giardino Corsini, Via della Scala 115
When: 28–29 March 2026

For over twenty years, the Florence Korea Film Fest has been an unmissable event for lovers of Asian cinema and, in particular, Korean filmmaking. What began as a niche festival has grown into a respected international reference point, capable of bringing major figures of world cinema to Florence. Oscar winners, Palme d’Or and Golden Lion recipients have all graced its stages, alongside emerging directors who found some of their first recognition here before becoming global stars.

Edition after edition, an ever-growing and passionate audience has discovered the very best of contemporary and classic Korean cinema, while also engaging directly with directors, actors, and industry professionals. The festival’s masterclasses are among its most anticipated moments: valuable opportunities for dialogue and in-depth exploration that turn film screenings into a fully immersive cultural experience.

Yet the Florence Korea Film Fest goes beyond the screen. Through art exhibitions, creative workshops, and a rich programme of side events, the festival invites spectators into the wider universe of Korean culture, fostering a constant and meaningful dialogue with its audience.

Where: Partner cinemas across Florence; Cinema La Compagnia for screenings and masterclasses, Via Camillo Cavour 50/R
When: 19–28 March 2026

The Florence Games Festival returns on 21 and 22 March 2026, confirming its role as one of the most compelling events dedicated to contemporary gaming. More than a showcase, it is a space for encounter and reflection on an industry undergoing profound change, driven by an audience increasingly attentive to the quality of experience, creativity, and authentic storytelling.

The festival emerges at a pivotal moment for the video game sector. Alongside blockbuster AAA titles shaped by market pressures, independent productions are gaining ground, bringing narrative depth, aesthetic research, and a more handcrafted approach to development back into focus. The Florence Games Festival embraces this shift, offering a platform where different visions of gaming can coexist and dialogue.

Over two days, the Stazione Leopolda becomes a vast experiential hub, blending retrogaming, indie games, esports, and free-to-play areas with moments of discussion and insight. Workshops, live streaming sessions, and talks on the Main Stage explore languages, trends, and future scenarios, while hands-on areas dedicated to immediate play, sim racing, and more dynamic experiences ensure the festival remains accessible and engaging even for curious newcomers.

The guiding theme of the 2026 edition is the idea of an “alternative plan.” When a model no longer works, new paths must be imagined. This concept is reflected visually through the return of the festival’s mascot, King, reimagined in a bucolic style inspired by slow living and sustainability, a symbolic invitation to rethink not only how we play, but what gaming represents today.

Where: Stazione Leopolda, Viale Fratelli Rosselli 5
When: 21–22 March 2026

In March, Florence becomes the stage for one of the most evocative sporting events of the year: the Florence Half Marathon. An occasion that blends sport and beauty, transforming streets and piazzas into an emotional route that weaves through centuries of history, art, and culture. For one day, monuments and Renaissance vistas open up to runners from all over the world—professionals and enthusiasts alike—united by the same desire to challenge themselves.

At the heart of the event is the 21.097-kilometre half marathon, a symbolic and demanding distance that attracts seasoned athletes as well as amateur runners. Running through Florence means experiencing the city from a completely different perspective, following a rhythm set by footsteps and the energy of spectators lining every stretch of the course.

Alongside the main race, there is also space for those who prefer a more relaxed approach, thanks to the non-competitive 10.5-kilometre run. Designed for running lovers who want to share the joy of movement without the pressure of the stopwatch, it offers the chance to savour the route and the unmistakable atmosphere of the Tuscan capital.

Where: Various streets in the historic centre
When: 29 March 2026

On 27 March 2026, Florence welcomes one of the most influential bands in Italian alternative rock: Marlene Kuntz take to the stage at the Viper Theatre with a date from the tour Marlene Kuntz plays Il Vile, dedicated to one of the most iconic albums of their career. Following the success of the tour celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of their debut, turned into a collective celebration, the band returns to meet its audience with an even more radical and identity-driven project.

Il Vile, originally released on 26 April 1996, is performed live in its entirety, restoring the full power of a record that defined an entire generation. At the time, it was a creative shock: abrasive guitars, tense atmospheres, lyrics that could wound while opening unexpected poetic spaces. A new language that transformed unease, anger, and fragility into sound, leaving a lasting mark on the Italian musical imagination.

Thirty years on, the impact of Il Vile remains undiminished. Ranked among the one hundred greatest Italian albums of all time and acclaimed internationally, it still speaks with a strong, contemporary voice, capable of turning individual torment into a shared, collective experience.

Where: Viper Theatre, Via Pistoiese 309/4
When: 27 March 2026