The Florence Carnival 2026 is set to delight visitors with two vibrant days filled with music, dance, colorful masks, sparkling confetti, and an atmosphere of pure joy and light-hearted celebration.
This ancient Florentine tradition, deeply rooted in the city’s culture and history, renews itself year after year, attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Visiting Florence from January 31 to February 17 offers a true journey into the past, with historic figures brought to life through period costumes and evocative reenactments.
Special attention is also drawn to the artisan workshops of the historic center: tailors, costume makers, and papier-mâché masters who devote themselves to creating unique works of art for the Grand Ball and the events that follow in the days ahead.
Let’s take a closer look at the full program of the Florence Carnival 2026.
Florence Carnival 2026 program at the Palazzo Vecchio
The Florence Carnival at Palazzo Vecchio has always embodied the spirit of the city—rich in history, tradition, and timeless charm.
The 2026 edition promises to be a true explosion of joy and entertainment, with a program featuring high-level events and outstanding performances.
Program highlights
Saturday, January 31 – Grand Carnival Ball
“Queens at the Palace” Grand Ball: a costume gala held in the Salone dei Cinquecento at Palazzo Vecchio (evening start around 8:00 PM). An elegant event inspired by Renaissance history, featuring dinner, live performances, and music.
After Dinner Party: a late-night celebration with DJ set, allowing guests to continue the festivities in costume well into the night.
(Ticketed event with different participation options available.)
Program of the Florence Carnival 2026 in the Historic Center
The celebration and joy of the Florentine Carnival continue on February 1 with a grand and spectacular parade that brings the city’s Historic Center to life.
From the early afternoon, Florence dresses up for the occasion: narrow streets and iconic squares fill with color, music, and a contagious sense of festivity.
The event begins at 2:00 PM in Piazza Santa Maria Novella with the much-anticipated opening titled “Waiting for the Carnival”, organized in collaboration with Lady Radio, one of the area’s leading radio stations. Here, the public can enjoy performances by street artists, traditional dances, and live entertainment, creating an atmosphere of pure excitement and fun.
At 3:30 PM, the majestic Carnival procession—led by allegorical floats and groups in costume—sets off along the main streets of central Florence, eventually reaching Piazza della Signoria, the vibrant heart of the city. Guiding the festive crowd is Stenterello, the iconic mask of the Florentine Carnival, famous for his lively character, irresistible wit, and humorous banter, delighting spectators with his playful gags.
From February 7 to 17, the Carnival moves into Florence’s neighborhoods, taking on a more widespread and participatory dimension: less spectacle, more community. Public gardens, squares, and local spaces become the true heart of the celebration, with events designed primarily for families and children, yet engaging the entire city.
Saturday, February 7 marks the official start of the neighborhood celebrations. The central event is the Carnevale dei Borghi (District 5): colorful parades of performers and masked participants depart at 2:30 PM from Piazza I° Maggio, Piazza Garibaldi, and Piazza Ilaria Alpi and Miran Hrovatin, converging around 3:30 PM at the San Piero a Quaracchi Garden, where the festivities continue with entertainment for children. On the same afternoon, Carnival also animates other green spaces in the area: at 3:00 PM in the Via Morandi Garden and at 3:30 PM in the Via Allori Garden, with games, music, and masks.
The celebrations continue on Sunday, February 8, with an afternoon dedicated to entertainment in gardens and city squares. At 3:00 PM, Carnival reaches the Lippi Garden, then moves at 3:30 PM to Piazza Dalmazia, reaffirming the popular and inclusive spirit of these events. That same afternoon, District 2 hosts a particularly rich program: the Grand Carnival Party in the Villa Arrivabene Garden (at 4:00 PM), featuring creative workshops—such as wooden toy-making—pentolaccia, music, and the award ceremony for the best costumes. A free event designed especially for families and children, yet capable of creating a shared festive atmosphere.
The calendar continues on Saturday, February 14, when Carnival once again takes center stage at the Medaglie d’Oro Garden (District 5). From 3:30 PM, entertainment, games, and activities for children transform the garden into a lively meeting place, extending the Carnival spirit into the final week.
The celebrations conclude on Tuesday, February 17, Shrove Tuesday, traditionally the climax of Carnival and the last day before the start of Lent. Alongside the informal festivities throughout the city, Florence offers a significant cultural highlight: the Carnival Concert at the Teatro Verdi, performed by the Orchestra della Toscana.
At 9:00 PM, Carnival Reloaded – The Art of Disguise in Music takes the stage, a program spanning works by Verdi, Paganini, Vivaldi, Piazzolla, and other composers, translating the themes of masquerade and transformation into music. A more intimate and elegant finale that complements the neighborhood festivities with a refined, symbolic, and concert-style conclusion to the Florentine Carnival.
Where to stay in Florence for Carnival 2026
Choosing where to stay in Florence during Carnival means finding the right balance between comfort, location, and overall quality of the experience. At this time of year, when the city comes alive with events spread across the historic center and its neighborhoods, staying in a welcoming, well-connected property truly makes all the difference.
The FH55 Grand Hotel Mediterraneo is an ideal choice for enjoying Carnival in complete comfort. Strategically located along the Arno River, it allows guests to move easily between the historic center and the neighborhoods hosting events, without sacrificing peace and quiet.
The hotel features an internal parking facility—an especially valuable asset in the city—and offers spacious, refined rooms designed to ensure relaxation and well-being after a day spent among parades, celebrations, and urban strolls.
The gastronomic offering further enhances the stay: the Ristorante Arno celebrates traditional Tuscan cuisine with carefully crafted, seasonal dishes, while the Lounge Bar welcomes both guests and visitors with internationally inspired plates and cocktails, perfect for an informal break or an evening aperitif. Both venues are also open to non-residents, becoming convivial meeting points throughout the Carnival period.
For those who wish to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the historic center, FH55 Hotel Calzaiuoli is the perfect choice. Located on Via dei Calzaiuoli, just steps from Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza Duomo, it allows guests to reach the city’s main squares, the official weekend parades, and Florence’s most iconic landmarks entirely on foot.
A privileged starting point for experiencing the Florentine Carnival among history, art, and vibrant urban life, with the freedom to return to the hotel at any time of day, following the natural rhythm of the celebrations.