Florence in November 2026: Events Worth Planning Around
Updated October 2026
November is my favorite quiet month in Florence. The summer crowds are gone, the light turns gold on the Arno, and the city fills its calendar with film festivals, exhibitions and, this year, the 60th anniversary of the 1966 flood. Here is what is on in Florence in November 2026, with the place and the dates for each event, so you can plan your days around the ones you care about.
Every date below comes from the organizer or the city's official listings. Plans change, so check the official site of each event before you go. For strikes and closures, keep my Florence travel alerts for November and December 2026 open too.
What are the biggest events in Florence in November 2026?
4 November: the 60th anniversary of the 1966 flood, with exhibitions and events across the city.
31 October to 8 November: Festival dei Popoli, the documentary film festival.
11 to 15 November: Lo schermo dell'arte, the festival of cinema and contemporary art.
14 November to 20 December: the Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce.
18 to 22 November: Florence Queer Festival.
29 November: the Firenze Marathon, starting from Piazza del Duomo.
The 1966 flood, 60 years on
On 4 November 1966 the Arno broke its banks and flooded the historic center. Sixty years later, Florence is marking the anniversary with a program I think every visitor should see at least a piece of. I cover the full program in my guide to the 1966 flood 60th anniversary events, but these are the ones with clear dates and places.
Forme del Fango, at the Accademia di Belle Arti, Via Ricasoli 66, from 4 to 20 November, daily from 9:00 to 18:30.
RI EMERGERE, at the Archivio di Stato, Viale Giovine Italia, from 4 November 2026 to 6 February 2027.
Per Firenze, the Franco Zeffirelli exhibition at the Fondazione Zeffirelli, Piazza San Firenze 5, from 4 to 29 November.
Angeli del Fango, a new documentary about the volunteers who saved the city's books and art, premieres on 4 November at Cinema La Compagnia as part of Festival dei Popoli.
Film festivals at La Compagnia
November is film month in Florence. Most screenings happen at Cinema La Compagnia, Via Cavour 50/r, a short walk north of the Duomo. They are all part of the city's 50 Giorni di Cinema season, which runs into December.
Festival dei Popoli, 31 October to 8 November, at La Compagnia and other cinemas. It is one of the oldest documentary festivals in Europe.
Lo schermo dell'arte, 11 to 15 November, at La Compagnia, Palazzo Strozzi and other venues. Under 30s get in free, and a Jean-Luc Godard exhibition opens in the Strozzina at Palazzo Strozzi for the festival week.
Florence Queer Festival, 24th edition, 18 to 22 November, at La Compagnia.
Opera at the Teatro del Maggio
Verdi's Simon Boccanegra plays at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino on 15, 18, 22 and 24 November. The theater is near the Cascine park, west of the center. Check the official Maggio site for times and seats.
When does the Christmas market open in Florence?
The Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce opens on 14 November and runs to 20 December. It is open Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 22:00, and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 to 23:00, and entry is free. I like it best on a weekday evening, when the piazza is lit and the church facade glows behind the stalls. For the rest of the season, see my guide to Christmas in Florence and my Santa Croce neighborhood guide.
The Firenze Marathon
The 42nd Firenze Marathon runs on Sunday 29 November, starting at 8:30 from Piazza del Duomo. Expect road closures across the center that morning, so plan museum visits and taxis around it.
What is closed in Florence in November 2026?
The Duomo bell tower (Giotto's Campanile) is closed from 9 to 13 November for maintenance.
Brunelleschi's dome is closed from 16 to 20 November for maintenance.
The Uffizi is closed every Monday, like most state museums. Read my guide on how to book Uffizi tickets before you pick a day.
Sunday 1 November is a free first Sunday at state museums, including the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti. Expect long lines.
A day trip for truffle season
If you have a car or a driver, the Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco in San Miniato is the best food day out of November. The 2026 dates are 14 and 15, 21 and 22, and 28 and 29 November, in the old town. San Miniato is under an hour west of Florence by car.
If truffle season tempts you to stay out in the countryside for a few nights, I would look at a Tuscan farmhouse or villa through Exclusive Villa Collection.
Exhibitions to see in November
November is also a great month for exhibitions, from Broken at Palazzo Strozzi to Artemisia at the Museo degli Innocenti. I keep a full list in current exhibitions in Florence and a seasonal view in Florence exhibitions this winter.
What is the weather like in Florence in November?
November is the wettest month of the year in Florence, with highs around 16°C (60°F) and lows around 7°C (44°F). Bring a real raincoat and shoes that cope with wet stone. My Florence weather by month guide has the full numbers, and my packing guide covers what to wear.
November in Florence FAQ
Is November a good time to visit Florence?
Yes, if you can handle some rain. Crowds are lighter than in spring and summer, the city has a full program of film festivals and exhibitions, and in 2026 it marks the 60th anniversary of the 1966 flood.
When is the Florence Christmas market in 2026?
The Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce runs from 14 November to 20 December 2026, with free entry. It is open until 22:00 Monday to Thursday and until 23:00 Friday to Sunday.
When is the Firenze Marathon in 2026?
The 42nd Firenze Marathon is on Sunday 29 November 2026, starting at 8:30 from Piazza del Duomo. Expect road closures in the center that morning.
Is the Duomo dome open in November 2026?
The dome is closed from 16 to 20 November 2026 and the bell tower from 9 to 13 November 2026 for maintenance. Book the climbs on the official Duomo site for other dates.
Are museums free in Florence in November?
State museums, including the Uffizi, are free on the first Sunday of the month, which is 1 November 2026. You cannot book ahead for free entry, so arrive early.
If this is your first trip, start with my month by month guide to Florence and my list of the best things to do in Florence.
About the author
I'm Jason GaNung, and I write every guide on Florence Life. I have spent extensive time in Florence over many trips, and I have stayed in many of the hotels and villas I cover, so my picks come from my own stays, not press releases. More about me
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