"Ferragosto" Events

The August 15th national holiday epitomizes the Italian summer, and the Florence area offers special ways to celebrate it. Here is what you can do:

Ferragosto Concert at San Salvi

Set within the evocative, expansive grounds of the former San Salvi psychiatric complex—revitalized in 1997 through the "San Salvi Città Aperta" cultural regeneration project—the traditional Ferragosto concert will take place on the evening of August 15th. This year, the stage will feature Riccardo Tesi & Friends.

The concert begins at 9:30 PM, and tickets cost €15.

Also at San Salvi, within the ancient Vallombrosan monastery, you can visit the Andrea del Sarto Cenacolo and Museum. Here, alongside the magnificent *Last Supper* fresco, visitors can admire works by other 16th-century artists, including Benedetto da Rovezzano’s funerary monument to Saint John Gualbert (founder of the Vallombrosan Order).

A Picnic in Vallombrosa

Staying with the Vallombrosa theme, August 15th is the ideal day to explore the cool Vallombrosa Nature Reserve, home to the ancient abbey founded in 1036 by Saint John Gualbert. For Ferragosto, many people choose the reserve’s large meadow—shaded by centuries-old fir trees—as the perfect setting for a classic picnic.

Fireworks at Lake Bilancino

In the heart of the Mugello region, you can witness a truly magical spectacle. At 10:45 PM on Ferragosto, a traditional fireworks display—captivating for both adults and children—will light up the sky over the calm waters of Lake Bilancino, Tuscany’s largest artificial lake (covering approximately 5 square kilometers). The show is staged entirely on floating barges anchored near Punta dell’Andolaccio.

Located about fifty minutes from Florence, the lake offers both free and fully equipped beaches and is open to the public for swimming. It makes for a perfect summer outing with a breathtaking finale.