Florence marks the event with a public holiday.Every year on 24 June, the city of Florence honours its patron saint with a day-long programme of religious ceremonies, mediaeval pageantry and one of Italy's most distinctive sporting spectacles.The celebrations in honour of San Giovanni Battista - St John the Baptist - have their roots in the 13th century, when the city first began to mark the feast day of the saint chosen as patron for the clarity of his teachings and his courageous, combative spirit. Today, the day's events span from a Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the famous fireworks display known as the Fochi di San Giovanni. The morning of 24 June sees a civic parade set off from Palazzo Vecchio, the heart of Florence's civic life, making its way to the Baptistery in Piazza Duomo - which is itself dedicated to the patron saint - where the Archbishop of Florence receives an offering of candles and presides over Mass at 10.15. Calcio Storico Fiorentino The centrepiece of the afternoon is the final of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, the ancient Florentine football. Dating back roughly to the 15th century, the game is best described as a combination of wrestling, rugby and football, played out between the four historic neighbourhoods of the city: the Blues of Santa Croce, the Greens of San Giovanni, the Reds of Santa Maria Novella and the Whites of Santo Spirito. The match at Piazza Santa Croce is preceded by a lengthy historical parade from Santa Maria Novella, and the game begins with the cry "Viva Firenze!". The 2026 final will see the Azzurri (Blues) take on the Rossi (Reds) at 18.00. Italian tennis star Flavio Cobolli has been named Magnifico Messere - a ceremonial honour - for the final, while young Florentine singer-songwriter Elena D'Elia will feature among the Leggiadre Madonne for the second semi-final. This year also sees the introduction of new stands at Piazza Santa Croce, increasing capacity from 4,856 to 5,520 spectators. All matches will be broadcast live on Toscana TV and streamed on YouTube, TikTok and Kick via Crown League. Fochi fireworks The celebrations conclude in the evening with the Fochi di San Giovanni, a fireworks display launched from Piazzale Michelangelo, visible from across the city. Most Florentines gather along the Lungarni - the riverside promenades beside the Arno - with the best vantage points at Ponte Santa Trinità, Ponte alla Carraia, and Piazza Poggi. In 2026, the fireworks will be launched at around 22.00 from Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia. Photo Shutterstock.com

Every year on 24 June, the city of Florence honours its patron saint with a day-long programme of religious ceremonies, mediaeval pageantry and one of Italy's most distinctive sporting spectacles. The celebrations in honour of San Giovanni Battista - St John the Baptist - have their roots in the 13th century, when the city first began to mark the feast day of the saint chosen as patron for the clarity of his teachings and his courageous, combative spirit. Today, the day's events span from a Mass at the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore to the famous fireworks display known as the Fochi di San Giovanni. The morning of 24 June sees a civic parade set off from Palazzo Vecchio, the heart of Florence's civic life, making its way to the Baptistery in Piazza Duomo - which is itself dedicated to the patron saint - where the Archbishop of Florence receives an offering of candles and presides over Mass at 10.15. The centrepiece of the afternoon is the final of the , the ancient Florentine football. Dating back roughly to the 15th century, the game is best described as a combination of wrestling, rugby and football, played out between the four historic neighbourhoods of the city: the Blues of Santa Croce, the Greens of San Giovanni, the Reds of Santa Maria Novella and the Whites of Santo Spirito. The match at Piazza Santa Croce is preceded by a lengthy historical parade from Santa Maria Novella, and the game begins with the cry "Viva Firenze!". The 2026 final will see the Azzurri (Blues) take on the Rossi (Reds) at 18.00. Italian tennis star Flavio Cobolli has been named Magnifico Messere - a ceremonial honour - for the final, while young Florentine singer-songwriter Elena D'Elia will feature among the Leggiadre Madonne for the second semi-final. This year also sees the introduction of new stands at Piazza Santa Croce, increasing capacity from 4,856 to 5,520 spectators. All matches will be broadcast live on Toscana TV and streamed on YouTube, TikTok and Kick via Crown League. The celebrations conclude in the evening with the Fochi di San Giovanni, a fireworks display launched from Piazzale Michelangelo, visible from across the city. Most Florentines gather along the Lungarni - the riverside promenades beside the Arno - with the best vantage points at Ponte Santa Trinità, Ponte alla Carraia, and Piazza Poggi. In 2026, the fireworks will be launched at around 22.00 from Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia.