Notte Bianca in Florence, Italy [White night for english speakers] is back this Wednesday, April 30th, as the 5th edition of a unique all-night 6pm-6am 12 hour unconventual party including the entire city, roughly 100,000 people are expected to be in the city center. So if you hate crowds, you might want to avoid the Florence center this Wednesday evening.

This year’s program has been curated by the Teatro Cantiere Florida involving the streets, piazzas, museums and even hospitals are involved for a night no-one will forget [hopefully]. While I won’t tell translate the entire event from Italian to English, I will let you know what sounds cool! There are also special events for kids which you can browse in the event link below. Remember traditionally the Palazzo Vecchio serves coffee and croissants for anyone who is still alive at 6am (thought I didn’t see this specifically mentioned in this year’s program).

Follow the action via the hashtag #nottebiancafirenze and @nottebiancafirenze. Also leave your car at home as public transportation will be available ALL night, ATAF buses 6-14-17-22-23-37 and the Tramvia.

***Here is the entire list of events , which I would have sent sooner but this year’s events took forever to come out, not very convenient to say the least but am I surprised? Nope!

My top picks (and I’d love to hear yours too!) 

*UPDATE: Since the forecast predicts a storm tonight, I highly recommend any events that include a covered ceiling {like the concerts at Careggi & Meyer mention below}, Museums open late, Oblate library. If you haven’t yet been to the new floor above the central market, it’s open tonight until 1am (and you will be rain free!)

Or bring your umbrellas and brave it out!

This year’s new guests: famous hospitals Careggi and Meyer!

• Meyer Hospital,  Serra Hall – TEOTRONICO E ALESSANDRA AMMARA IN CONCERTO in collaboration with Associazione Donatori di Musica 3.00 p.m.

• Careggi Hospital, in the Aula Magna, SANDRO IVO BARTOLI PIANOFORTE In collaboration with Associazione Donatori di Musica 4.30 p.m

Gelato Festival preview

• At the Palazzo dei Congressi, event opening of the Firenze gelato festival
  From 8.00 p.m. to midnight

Museums participating in this year’s Notte Bianca: 

• Museum of Palazzo Vecchio, free admission from 6pm on April 30 at 6 am on May 1 (ticket office closes 1 hour before and make a reservation for the Jackson Pollock exhibit, only 30 people allowed at a time).055 2768224-558, [email protected]

• Stefano Bardini Museum, free admission from 7pm-midnight on 30 April (closing ticket office 30 minutes before)
• Santa Maria Novella, free admission from 7pm-midnight on 30 April (ticket office closes 45 minutes before)
• Fondazione Salvatore Romano, free admission from 7pm pm on April 30 until 3am on May 1 (ticket office closes 30 minutes before )

See cool stuff! 

• Straw Maze in Piazza Santa Croce – A labyrinth for bio-ecological architecture, by Alessandro Melani. In partnership with Mondo di Paglia From 6.00 p.m onwards.

• in Piazza Pitti – Digital Human – a special video installation. A production by Fondazione Sistema Toscana per Internet Festival 2012 From 8.00 p.m.

• In the Loggia del Porcellino teotronico – The first Italian robot band – directed by Matteo Suzzi. An unusual concert by Teotronico and Robotkea at 9.30 p.m.

• On Via Ghibellina 12a at the RFK International house of human rights freedom fighters check out a special photography exhibit “I KENNEDY E LA BATTAGLIA PER I DIRITTI CIVILI” From 6.30 p.m. to midnight.

• Party in a contemporary art gallery, visit the Eduardo Secci Contemporary Art gallery on via maggio 51r where you check out the exhibit of Paolo Grassino “Ciò che resta”, sip cocktails and listen to music.

• In San Niccolo – SAN NICCOLO’ TELLS ITS STORY, Audio-video itinerary through San Niccolò neighborhood by Comitato di San Niccolò and Associazione Piazzart From 9.00 p.m. How cool!

• Libraries are getting involved too! My favorite Oblate biblioteca is hosting a special event: reading a selection of rhymes by Gianni Rodari by the students of Liceo Michelangiolo di Firenze. Theater workshop “La Stanza dell’Attore” (Associazione Culturale). 5 .00 p.m. and 7. 00 p.m. + THE MUSIC OF THE CITY GOES ON, Aperitivo inspired by the sixties (with fee) Caffetteria delle Oblate terrazza, second floor 6.30 p.m.

• Biblioteca Nazionale – Special opening – 6.00 p.m. – midnight

Party on the rooftop! Hotel Cavour is hosting a special ‘white party’ which for 30 euros get’s you three ‘white drinks’, a dolce buffet and a chance to dance with the Duomo smack in your face, escaping the craziness of the crowds below. That’s where we’ll be since I go to ‘notte bianca’ every year and always get a little overwhelmed. This year I am more than happy to take refuge in a roof with a view! 

Also need more info the day of? Stop by the info point!

Official Infopoint of the Notte Bianca Firenze 2014
Sala d’Arme, Piazza Signoria.
Mon, 28th April: 6.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. Tue 29th April: 10.00 a.m. – 9.00 p.m. Wed 30 th April: 10.00 a.m. – 6.00 a.m.

Are you in Florence? What are you planning to do for this year’s Notte Bianca, White Night? Any must-see events I missed?