I think we all want to wish July a pretty hefty inferno arrivederci. From what I have experienced myself, and from what I have seen on social media, it seems like we were all to be punished this month in a brutal heatwave that seems to have affected us all, and made everyone pretty cranky. I admit to spending my days living in vampire status at home, exiting for the occasional ice-coffee or an icy caffe shakerato at places like Gecko in san niccolo or Ditta Artigianale. Luckily we got to escape for a week to Calabria and Matera (more to come shortly), but this August I am staying put. It has almost become somewhat of a involuntary tradition to be in town for August, while everyone else flees we drink wine and walk the dog. Work is a little more calm (who am I kidding) but the weather tends to be less cryptic than July and I like the slow pace. What I hope for is a few sexy Thunderstorms and time with my Frenchy, who I don’t get to see enough these busy, frenetic days. Luckily, Italy is not leaving you high and dry – I searched high and low to make sure we all have something to. There are plenty of events to enjoy this month in Florence and in Italy, check out this roundup on ITALY Magazine. Share your plans this August. Are you too weathering the ‘ferragosto’ storm with us in Firenze? Or have you opted for a cooler, on the coast (lake or mountain) escape? Comment and share your story :).

Also for Tuscan events this August, check out a great round-up by my friend Sophie for the blog TooMuchTuscany.

For a list of pretty terraces to toast Florence with a view, see this list on my July roundup, otherwise I also encourage you to check out my newly updated ‘where to go’ section (includes shopping) and eats section, divided by type (typical Tuscan, lunch, big groups, etc).

Art/Culture | First Free Sundays, August 2nd, State and City Museums All Around Florence,

This weekend art lovers can enjoy the return of ‘first free Sundays’ a new initiative granting the public free entry to state museums (Palazzo Pitti, Academia Gallery & Uffizi Gallery) and residents of Florence free access to city museums in Italy, the first Sunday of every month.  I am a little confused by the change from city to state museums but you can see the full list of updates (in Italian) here! In any case, my top pick is the seasonal opening of the San Niccolo tower, one of the few remaining doors or the walls that previously surrounded Florence. The view is spectacular, you can call for more info here, Visits are from 5-8pm. Tel. +39 055 2768224 – +39 055 2768558. [email protected]

Soccer! | Champions Cup – Fiorentina Against Barcelona, August 2nd (Sunday) at 9pm

After seeing a particularly awesome event at piazza santo spirito celebrating our boys in purple hosted by their new uniform suppliers Le Coq Sportif , the Fiorentina soccer club kicks off this August at the Stadio Artemio Franchi against Barcelona, the current winners of the International Championship Cup. I am planning on attending the fun with Nico this Sunday which will be my FIRST ever game in Florence. Can you believe it? I can’t.  address: viale Manfredo Fanti 4. More info here. The first official game of the regular season will be on August 23, Fiorentina vs. Milan @ Stadio Franchi – 3pm.

Party | Disco Dance Party at Fosso Bandito, August 4th, Cascine Park, 10pm – 2am

In love with music from the 70’s-80’s-90’s? Well you can boogy to all sorts of fun tunes at a cool outdoor space, Fosso Bandito, located in Cascine Park (an easy walk, or you can take a tram to the center of the park). address: via del fosso macinante 4, 50144. Check out their facebook page for more details.

Public Event | Special Open Mic Night at Tasso Hostel, August 5th Wednesday), 7:30pm.

There is nothing I love more than when the local community gets together, for no better reason than to share a bit of #wineandwords. It all started last month at the beloved Tasso Hostel and now the fun is back this Wednesday at 7:30pm. Anyone is invited to share their stories on stage you don’t need to be a professional. This month’s subject is based around being in Italy during August. So I can only imagine the fun stories that will ensue. Free to attend, these events will take place every first Wednesday of the month. Email [email protected] for more info and to participate. address: via Villani 15, Florence

Beer | Beer Festival ‘Birra Renai’ in SIgna (outside Florence) nightly until August 9th.

For the love of beer, because what kind of summer is without it? This live music and beer festival is located in il parco dei renai di signa and looks like a lot of fun, obviously when there is a queen cover band, I’m in! Consult the facebook page for more details. Free entrance.

Guided Visit | Carcere delle Murate, Visit An Ex-Prison in Florence, August 11th @ 5pm.

On August 11 the Association Mus.e will offer a guided tour of an extraordinary place that enables you recall the days of horror and repression: the harsh prison now turned housing (plus a cool cafe). Combined with contemporary art, this visit gives people a chance to see what life was like in this notorious place. I actually have been wanting to visit for years so this might be one that I will hop on too!  address: (Piazza delle Murate, Florence), free entrance, Information and reservations:, Tel. 055-2768224 / 055-2768558, E-Mail: [email protected].

Theater | Medici Dynasty Show, Every Wed-Sun in piazza san lorenzo. 7pm.

Almost 300 years later the last two heirs of the Medici Dynasty are brought back to life in a multimedia masterpiece of “infotainment” Art History Intrigue with a fun show hosted in piazza san lorenzo (which is a neighborhood getting cooler by the minute). This is a year-round show, five shows every week from Wednesday to Sunday at 7:00pm , duration 1 hour. address: San Giovannino dei Padri Scolopi Library (piazza San Lorenzo, n. 6). facebook page. Price — full 29 €, students (to age 25) 20 €, children under 12 free, Family pack 69 € (group of four or less including one child under 12), 79 € (group of four including two students), Groups of 8 people or more booking at the same time 26 €, For bookings email [email protected]. official website. 

Live Music | Aperitivo Nightly @7pm at the Horticulture Garden, until August 16th.

Just when we thought there was nothing to do for ferragosto, along with sand-castle making at the arno Easy Living beach, I also recommend heading to the pretty horticulture garden in the Northern area of the city (an easy walk or bus ride). Take advantage of Italian happy hour, 9 euros for a drink and buffet, live music will be playing every night. address: via vittorio emanuele II #4. facebook page.

https://instagram.com/p/6SfnxTxTIV/?taken-by=girlinflorence

Feast | Free Lasagna & Watermelon in piazza san lorenzo, August 10th, 7:30pm – late

San Lorenzo loves August 10th and coincidentally, so do I! Mainly because it means there are other people stuck in Florence in August and we get free food. I highly recommend heading here for the most random combination of dinners ever, watermelon + lasagna, it isn’t just about food, it is also when you can check out Perseids meteor shower, which I must have missed last year. There are also other events around Tuscany celebrating August 10th, which you can browse here.

Tour | Dinner Crawl Monday August 10th 2015 6:30pm‏ with Local Food Blogger Coral of Curious Appetite.

Monday night Coral of Curious Appetite is hosting a progressive dinner crawl in Florence. The foodie adventure starts in the early evening and saunters through every course of the Italian dining experience, starting with chef prepared appetizers, fresh pasta, traditional Tuscan grilled meats and artisan dessert. Wines are selected by Coral to enhance deliciousness in every sip and bite. To learn more, read a recent blog post detailing the experience she leads and organizes. For rates and availability, please contact Coral directly at [email protected], more details here.

Food Trucks | Lo and Behold Foodtrucks and Outdoor Space DOES Exist in Florence

I highly recommend hopping on your bike, walking or getting on a bus to visit an area long the lungarno where you can hit up the famous Foodtruck ‘La Toraia.’ which Florentines consider to be one of the best in the city. I was there just a few weeks ago and went for the PescePane (fish food truck) located next door and some gelato. This area is seriously cool! address:  Lungarno del Tempio. Firenze. Tel. 338 5367198. For a great list of comprehensive outdoor spaces to eat/drink in Florence, check this out (in Italian).

https://instagram.com/p/5aacB8RTKv/?taken-by=girlinflorence

Music & More | Balagan Cafe (Synagogue) On Certain Thursdays Through August 27th.

One of my personal favorite places in the city is one that most people miss. Though you can see the synagogue from the Florentine skyline from Piazzale Michelangelo or San Miniato al Monte, have you ever been? Luckily this summer they have continued to host their “balagan’ nights offering the public a chance to come join them for a special aperitivo buffet, live music, readings and more, read my experience at this event last year here. via Luigi Carlo Farini 6.

Opera | Madame Butterfly, August 29th, Opera di Firenze

“In the name Cio-Cio-San, the terrible destiny of the geisha is already written: Madama Butterfly. Lovely and fragile like a “delicate butterfly”, she is only fifteen when she marries Pinkerton, the Lieutenant of the United States Navy who returns after a long absence of three years, to claim the son born of their union…”. If you too enjoy a bit of opera from time to time, this is a show you don’t want to miss! address: Piazza Vittorio Gui (Viale Fratelli Rosselli.  Tickets range from 10-50 euros, official site.

Art  | #DaliMeetsDante Until September 27th. 10-7pm, Palazzo Medici Ricciardi

750 years ago, Dante Alighieri was born in Florence. The Fondazione Ambrosiana, organizer of cultural exhibitions throughout Italy, wish to mark this occasion and present an exhibition of the Divine Comedy as illustrated by Dalí. Dalí illustrates Dante’s allegorical journey through Hell, Purgatory and Paradise, re-interpreting it with a psychoanalytical slant. Dalí portrays the dreamlike atmosphere of Dante, adding his personal touch through use of iconographic symbols; melting figures, crutches, and human limbs surreally placed. The supernatural blends with an exploration of spirituality, creating this unique version of the Divine Comedy. #DalíMeetsDante is an exhibition focused on a suite of 100 illustrations that Dalí created inspired by the Divine Comedy, Dante’s epic masterpiece.. How cool is this!  address: Via Camillo Cavour, 5 – Florence.

Sagra / Food Festival | Festa del Mugello, Lungarno aldo moro, until September 6th. 

So happy that this is back, this local food festival is in the Garden of the OBIHALL – Ex Area Kontiki, Lungarno Aldo Moro a Firenze (take bus 14 A Girone to get there). Open everyday at 7pm, here you can try a number of local dishes like, tortelli, ravioli, grilled meats and much more in a fun, food festival ambiance that you don’t need a car to get too. Website

Pool Time | Why not visit one of the cities public pools?

The seaside is overcrowded so thanks to The Florentine, you can swim in the city with this awesome list. My personal favorite is Le Pavoniere :).

***For those who love a Tuscan sagra (food festival) check out this list of what’s on this summer (in Italian).

Special Workshop Series This SEPTEMBER 5-6TH, Open To The Public

This September, there will be a special series of seriously fun workshops that are open to the public covering themes from calligraphy with the fabulous Betty Soldi, flower workshops, picnics in the countryside to beautifully curated dinners in the Tuscany. I personally attended the first event with the lovely ladies of Italian Eye and can vouch for the quality of this series. The full program can be viewed here.

You can find out more here, but in their words ‘this will  be part tour, part creative workshops, part relaxation and then a whole lot of Italian food and guilty pleasure….A true mix & match of British & Tuscan culture! You just have to relax, open your mind to creativity and your mouth to delicious food. We will do the rest…”. 

Some events will be in the center of Florence, others will take place in the surrounding countryside, for those without a car you can contact them regarding drivers or taxis. Mention #GirlInFlorence for a special goody-bag that they will provide upon arrival.