Things To Do in Florence in November 2016

The Best of What's On in Firenze in the Fall!

Searching for interesting things to do in Florence in November 2016?

It's all here: classical music concerts in Medieval churches and opera nights with Italian favorites like the splendid 'La Traviata', museum and walking tours to see the best of the cradle of the renaissance, local festivals like a wool fair, and even what's on with the great Italian pastime, soccer!

Want things to do at night but not into classical music?  Some special concerts are on: Garbage and Brit Floyd!  Or if you're a foodie, check out the open air food festival celebrating fresh olive oil and Tuscan specialties...

But remember, November 1 is a national holiday here (All Saints Day) so many places may be closed.

Read on about all November events in Florence! 

The Classics

Want some ideas of things to do in Florence Italy in November 2016?  

A good start is to check out the most popular ways people like to explore Firenze...

Wool Fair

If you are on a budget you'll be glad to hear that there are also things to do in Florence in November for free!

The outdoor crafts fair called 'Fiera delle Lane di San Martino' is a Wool Fair held in Firenze each year.

The fair is dedicated to wool and wool products produced locally with natural dyes and artisan workmanship.

For anyone travellings with children, the fair has a hands-on workshop for kids where the little ones get to try their hand at working wool themselves!

when: Saturday & Sunday, November 5-6     from 9 am to 7 pm             cost: free

where: piazza Santissima Annunziata (in the square)

Dan Brown's 'Inferno Tour' in Florence

Of all the things to do in Florence in November - or ANY month for that matter! - following in the footsteps of Robert Langdon is by far the most popular.

An 'Inferno' guided tour takes you to all of the stomping grounds you've read about in Dan Brown's thriller based on Dante's Divine Comedy and set amid Florence's most famous and historical monuments.

See Vasari's mysterious painting with the famed words 'cerca trova' (seek and you shall find), the secret passages of Palazzo Vecchio (rarely visited!), the Florence Baptistery, Boboli Gardens, the Vasari corridor, and more on this half-day adventure tour.

Included in the ticket is entry to Brunelleschi's Dome, Giotto's Bell Tower and other not-to-be-missed sights!

Dan Brown Inferno Tour

A Night of Popular Arias from Italian Opera

Whether you're an opera buff or not, this evening is for you!

Take in a live performance of the most popular Italian arias, you know, the ones that everybody knows and loves from La Boheme, La Traviata, the Barber of Seville, the Marriage of Figaro, and more!

The best of Italian opera in one very special evening of live singing and music in one of the historical churches of Firenze.

See full program of operas and aria nights in November 2016 in Florence

One of the top things to do in Florence in November!

Michael Jackson (well, sort of....) Live!

Although Michael is sadly no longer with us, his fans just won't give up on seeing him....

By many, the Spaniard Sergio Cortès is considered the most complete and exciting Michael Jackson tribute performer in the world, and he's coming to Florence in November!

See Cortès dance just like the king to hits like Billie Jean and Beat It! or listen to him sing Michael's beautiful slower songs such as Man in the Mirror or You Are Not Alone.

And it's not just singing and dancing, Sergio, his live band and dance troupe are also accompanied by a state-of-the-art pyrotechnic lights show that'll knock your socks off!

when: Wednesday 16 November 9 pm

where: OBI Hall in via Fabrizio De Andrè (near Lungarno Aldo Moro)

cost: tickets start at €23

Get tickets online or buy at one of the box offices in town or at the venue before show

God Save the Wine!

Tuscany is wine region of course, as everyone knows that the famous Chianti is grown and produced here.

So Florence has no lack of wine events....and God Save the Wine is one of the most popular, so it's worth checking out!

How does it work?  You are given a wine tasting glass and a small pouch that you can hang around your neck so that there are no mix-ups about whose glass is whose as you mingle around the tables.

Then, you spend the evening tasting the various wines that are being offered (reds, whites, sparkling, sweet, dry...it's usually a vast assortment).

Of course there is also a large buffet with foods chosen especially to match the wines of the night, so eat, drink and be merry!

when: date to be announced

where: Eataly in via Martelli (right near the Duomo)

cost: 25€

booking: info@firenzespettacolo.it      (reservations are a MUST)

Florence Tattoo Convention

Whether you have tattoos or just love admiring other peoples' the 2016 Florence Tattoo Convention might be the appointment for you!

See this beautiful art form at all its stages, being brought to life or putting the last touches on the finished product.  

Also live performances and international tattoo artists, exhibits on body piercing, and demonstrations in the use of the traditional tools used for tribal tattoo application.

find out more at the official site

when: November 18 - 20, Friday opens at 3 pm Sat & Sun opens at 12 am

where: Fortezza da Basso, viale F. Strozzi (near station) 

cost: €16

Tickets can be bought at entrance

Garbage Live in Concert!

If you're looking for things to do in Florence in November on the alternative music scene, look no further because Garbage is coming to town!

Set up in Wisconsin in 1993, this alternative rock group have sold over 17 million albums to date.  

The 4 musicians/songwriters - who disbanded for a while some years back - are together again in their original formation: Shirley Manson on vocals and Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig on the instruments.

On their current tour the band will be performing tracks off their new disc 'Strange Little Birds' as well as past hits and old favorites. 

Florence's OBI Hall (also known as Saschall) is a small and intimate venue, ideal if you like seeing your favorite performers upclose on stage (and who doesn't like that?).

when: Wednesday November 2nd at 9 pm

where: OBI Hall, via Fabrizio De Andre' 

cost: tickets start at about €30

Buy tickets at the door, at box offices in town or online

Olive Oil Festival!

Of all the things to do in Florence in November 2016, this is the top pick for foodies hands down!

The end of October/start of November is when the 'raccolta' takes place: the olives are picked from the trees and pressed into fresh green luscious Tuscan oil.

Try the new oil out on crusty bread, bruschettas, or just by itself on a taster spoon at the olive oil festival in piazza Santo Spirito!

There will be stands offering organic oils, but also all natural jams, wines, fresh organic produce, and in general all the best seasonal foods that Tuscany is famous for.

when: Sunday November 20 from 9 am to 7 pm

where: piazza Santo Spirito

Entry to the festival is free of charge so don't miss this great 'off the beaten path' alternative to enjoy Florence!

Open air event so also perfect for kids.

Brit Floyd live in concert!

Brit Floyd are a Pink Floyd tribute band from Liverpool who have been thrilling audiences since 2011 with their tribute show to the legendary British band.

Their live shows aim to recreate the sound and psychadelic effects of the group Pink Floyd's live shows.  From the music, to the visuals, to the lighting, every detail of the show is carefully orchestrated to make you feel that you are actually seeing Pink Floyd live!

The band works through the group's vast catalogue of hits performing among others 'Another Brick in the Wall', 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Wish You Were Here'.

This is sure to be a rockin' night for Pink Floyd fans and just rockers and music lovers!

when: Monday November 7 at 8,30 pm

where: OBI Hall, via Fabrizio De Andre' 

cost: tickets start at about €35

Buy tickets online or at one of Florence's boxoffices, or at the gate before the show

Wine & Jazz off Ponte Vecchio

How about an evening of wine sipping while enjoying some live jazz music, all in a locale just off the Ponte Vecchio with views of the bridge and Arno river?

Then a night at SignorVino is just for you!

On Thursday evenings in November, check out the winning combo of wine shop turned live jazz venue at a location that only Florence can offer. 

Here is the program:

Nov 10 : "Octopus Jazz" with Emiliano Degl'Innocenti and Roberto Andreucci playing "Old jazz, ballads and tentacles!"

Nov 17 : "Indaco Jazz" with Emiliano Degl'Innocenti and Corrado Rossetti playing "Contemporary jazz"

Nov 24: "Aqua Mood" Emiliano Degl'Innocenti and Massimo Signorini playing "Etno jazz, mediterranean love"

where: SIgnorVino, in via De' Bardi 46/r

time: start at 8,30 pm

entry: concert is free of charge, you pay for wine or eats

Booking is appreciated: tel. 055 286258    email:  firenze.pontevecchio@signorvino.it

Classical Music in a Medieval Church

Santo Stefano al Ponte (as it's right off the Ponte Vecchio) is an 11th century basilica that nowadays is home to some of the best classical music performances in town.

Take in a night-time performance of a Vivaldi concert or enjoy a piano virtuoso playing Beethoven's loved sonatas all within the unique and highly suggestive ambience of a romanesque church.

And these musical nights at Santo Stefano are definitely not 'just for tourists' - this is one of the most popular things to do in Florence in November for locals too!

Don't miss out on the chance to spend a night in town amid the Florentines with the city's best musicians in an unforgettable atmosphere.

NB: unfortunately, no concerts are on schedule for the moment, however the church may be visited free of charge

Read about the Santo Stefano al Ponte church and see map

Verdi's Greatest! La Traviata!

Giuseppe Verdi's masterpiece, La Traviata is the most performed opera in the world.

It's impossible not to be seduced by the drama of Violetta and Alfredo, the rousing toast 'Libiamo' - one of the most recognized pieces of classical music of all time - and, of course, Violetta's heartbreaking cry of 'Amami Alfredo'.

One of the most exciting things to do in Florence in November on Saturday nights!

Ticket Info for La Traviata

Don't just go to the opera....make a whole night out of the evening by enjoying a Wine & Opera event: before the show treat yourself to a unique wine tasting experience combined with choice local foods specially picked to match the vintages on offer!

Wine Tasting + Tickets for La Traviata

Not into wine but want to make it a full night out?  Have dinner just down the street from the auditorium at 7 pm, then just mosey over at 9 o'clock for the start of the show!

Dinner at nearby restaurant + La Traviata tickets

The Auditorium is extremely central, just off piazza Duomo - Read about the venue and see map

Gourmet Food & Artisans Market

The city is so beautiful that many of the best things to do in Florence in November - or any month for that matter - take place outside in the characteristic piazzas.  

The 'Mercato dei Sapori e Mestieri' is one of these special outdoor events.  Literally translated it means 'the Market of Tastes and Crafts', so an event dedicated to gourmet foods and local craft work.

Food stands include wines, olive oil, varieties of honey, all sorts of mushrooms, black and white truffles, cured meats, hand-made pasta, organic fruit jams and preserves, cheeses, and a large assortment of gourmet spreads. 

Artisan craft stalls will be selling made-in-Tuscany hats, leather goods, ceramics, silverware, blown glass, and wool items.

where: in piazza Santa Maria Novella (near the station)

when: unfortunately this event has not been scheduled yet for 2016

entry: this is a free event

Italians' Greatest Passion - Be Part of the Crowd!

Want a real local experience? Looking for things to do in Florence besides museums?

Then there's nothing like taking in a soccer match at the stadium!

November in 2016 has1 occasione to see the local team play at home:

Fiorentina vs. Sampdoria, an Italian league match, on Sunday Nov. 6, at 6 pm

where: Artemio Franchi stadium, viale Manfredo Fanti, 4 (bus no. 17)

Being part of an Italian football match is one of the most exciting things to do in Florence in November and is one of the great things to do in Florence with kids or teenagers too!

tickets: at the box offices around stadium or online (see link below)

online boxoffice (tickets for Europe league matches available online only to club members)

Florence Wine Event

If you're a wine lover in search of things to do in Florence in November that are off the beaten path, bingo!

The Florence Wine Event is a two day celebration of the very best in wines and wine tasting, and it takes place in one of the city's loveliest but lesser known gardens, Il Giardino dell'Orticultura.

An occasion to try out the finest vintages in Italian wines along with local food specialties while rubbing shoulders with wine producers and aficionados.

when: The dates to this event have not been scheduled yet

where: in via Vittorio Emanuele II, no. 4, held in the Roster Tepidarium, a magnificent wrought iron green house from the 1800's which has just recently been restored and brought back to its original glory (near Piazza Libertà) 

cost: 'drink card' including 8 wine tastings for €10 

In the event of rain this event will be held as the Tepidarium is a closed facility within the garden

Ethnic Music Festival

Looking for things to do in Florence that are off the beaten path and a bit different?

How about the Festival dei Popoli, an Ethnic music festival held at one of the city's alternative music venues, F.L.O.G.

F.L.O.G. is a locale for live music that is quite dark and fringe, and is where many local heros got their start in the music scene like Litfiba and Irene Grandi.

In October and November, at this historic and very characteristic location you can hear the latest trends in African and Ethnic music.

In its 11th edition, this festival is growing more popular every year!

address: at the venue 'FLOG' in via Michele Mercati, 24b - locale is not very visible from street though! (bus no. 28 to Alderotti stop or bus no. 4 to Montelatici stop)

dates: September 24 - November 11

In November there are performances on November 5 & 11

Program and more info (in Italian)

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