November 2026 in the Florence area: events, a marathon, and markets

Discover what Florence and its surrounding areas have to offer in November, and make the most of your stay.

November traditions

Tuscany Day

On November 30, 1786—exactly two hundred and forty years ago—the Grand Duchy of Tuscany adopted a new penal code, the Codice Leopoldino (Leopoldine Code), which, for the first time in Europe, decreed the abolition of the death penalty. This significant date, a symbol of the revolutionary and pioneering spirit of the Grand Duchy under Peter Leopold of Lorraine, is commemorated every November 30th with "Tuscany Day" (Festa della Toscana)—a major civic and cultural celebration featuring a wide range of events for both residents and visitors.

For this occasion, the Municipality of Florence—in collaboration with the Società di San Giovanni Battista (a non-profit organization) and the Historical Procession of the Florentine Republic and Calcio Storico Fiorentino—is organizing a procession of the official banners (gonfaloni) of the Tuscany Region, as well as those of the various municipalities and provinces, which will make its way through the city streets.

Major events in November 2026

1. 42nd Estra Florence Marathon

For over forty years, the Florence Marathon has undoubtedly been the most iconic event in Florence during the month of November. On November 29, 2026, the 42nd edition of this race—highly regarded within the running community for the historical and cultural significance of its route—will take place. The course begins and ends in Piazza Duomo, winding past various monuments and offering stunning views. Second only to the Rome Marathon in Italy, the previous edition saw approximately 15,000 participants, half of whom traveled from abroad.

2. Exhibitions and cultural events

Many of the cultural initiatives taking place in November will be shaped by the 60th-anniversary commemorations of the Florence flood—which occurred on November 4, 1966. Through a series of exhibitions, screenings, and conferences, the city reflects on those tragic moments, while also honoring the extraordinary solidarity that emerged in their wake.

There are also numerous exhibitions to explore throughout the city and its surrounding areas. Of particular note is the exhibition at the Museo Novecento, “Danielle Mckinney. Tra Noi” (“Between Us”), dedicated to the American artist—who was named by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential figures in the art world for 2026.

For cinema enthusiasts, the prestigious "50 Days of Cinema in Florence" festival series continues in November at the Cinema La Compagnia: 

• from October 31 to November 8 2026, the venue hosts the Festival dei Popoli—the oldest international documentary film festival in Europe. 
• from November 11 to 15, it is the turn of Lo Schermo dell’arte, a festival dedicated to artist films and documentaries on contemporary art. 
• from November 18 to 22, the Florence Queer Film Festival—Tuscany’s premier event focused on LGBTQIA+ culture—returns.

3. Markets, fairs, and Olive Oil

Autumnia—the quintessential autumn fair—returns to Figline from November 6th to 8th. The event brings together agriculture, the environment, and locally sourced food, offering three days packed with activities and the finest food and wine products from the region. That same weekend, on November 7th and 8th, the Conventino venue will host wine producers and a variety of culinary delights as part of the Tuscan Taste showcase.

From November 14th to December 20th, 2026, the much-anticipated Weihnachtsmarkt—the traditional Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. Featuring the classic wooden stalls typical of Austrian and German Christmas markets, the event brings strudels, pretzels, mulled wine, *würstel* (sausages), and a wide array of artisanal goods to this Florentine square. There will also be entertainment for children and that unmistakable Christmas atmosphere that delights both young and old.

Meanwhile, from November 20 to 22, 2026, Impruneta will host a feast for the senses with "Peposo Day"—a traditional gastronomic event celebrating the town’s signature dish: a historic beef stew, slow-cooked with plenty of black pepper, red wine, and garlic, and featured here through tastings, sales, and competitions.

There are also numerous events dedicated to extra virgin olive oil—long-standing exhibitions and markets that celebrate the “green gold” of this land during the pressing season. Here, you can learn about, taste, and purchase olive oil in all its forms:

• at the 26th Prim’Olio in Bagno a Ripoli on November 14–15, 2026;
• at the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Exhibition and Market in Calenzano from November 6–8, 2026;
• at Si.Evo, from November 6 to 8, 2026, in the Valdisieve municipalities of Pontassieve, Pelago, and Rufina

Discover all the details and the complete list of olive oil exhibitions and markets taking place in November.

An Itinerary for November 2026: The Monumental Cemeteries of Florence

Florence and its surrounding area are home to four monumental cemeteries that can be visited like open-air museums, thanks to their sculptures, architecture, and the notable figures laid to rest there: the English Cemetery (Piazzale Donatello 38, Florence), the Evangelic Cemetery - Cimitero agli Allori (Via Senese 184, Galluzzo), the Cimitero delle Porte Sante (Via San Salvatore al Monte, next to the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte), and the Monumental Cemetery of the Misericordia of Antella (Via Montisoni 14, Antella, Bagno a Ripoli). This is an unconventional itinerary, well off the beaten path; November—with All Saints' Day on the 1st and the commemoration of the faithful departed on the 2nd—is the perfect time to explore it.

Frequently Asked Questions about November 2026 in Florence

What can I do in and around Florence in November?
In November 2026, Florence and its metropolitan area will host the Florence Marathon (November 29), the Festival of Tuscany (November 30), commemorations marking the 60th anniversary of the flood of November 4, 1966, the Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce, various exhibitions, film and cultural festivals, and—throughout the month—autumnal food and wine fairs, such as "Autumnia" in Figline, as well as markets dedicated to olive oil.

When are museums in Florence free in November 2026?

On the first Sunday of the month, Sunday, November 1, 2026, admission is free to state-run museums, including the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia Gallery, Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, the Medici Chapels, the Museum of San Marco, the Bargello, and many others. State-run museums will also be free on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in observance of National Unity and Armed Forces Day.

What is celebrated in Florence on November 30th?
Every year on November 30th, Tuscany celebrates "Tuscany Day" (Festa della Toscana) to commemorate the Leopoldine Code of 1786, which abolished the death penalty—the first such instance in Europe. The year 2026 will mark the 240th anniversary.

Last updated: October 27, 2026