With the welcoming temperatures in spring and summer, the historic cities and beautiful countryside of Tuscany come to life, and there is so much to discover. With endless options from hiking and biking excursions and wine tastings to private dining experiences and in-villa spa treatments, Cuvée offers an experience like no other – a custom-curated luxury vacation that allows you to truly experience the culture, history, and beauty of Tuscany.
And if you’re visiting in the late spring or summertime, you can take your vacation to the next level by immersing yourself in the never-ending Renaissance that is Tuscany. Charming medieval towns are transformed with music, art, and culture during iconic festivals that can only be experienced in Italy.
A breathtaking Italian opera in the heart of Florence. The adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of a riveting historic tournament. Once-in-a-lifetime performances by the most influential artists in the world in beautiful Lucca. A bareback horse race in the heart of Sienna to satiate sixth-century rivalries.
Embrace the historic traditions of Tuscany with Cuvée – our local team will take care of the details so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride to these memorable Tuscany events.
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
May 5 to July 13, 2023
There is truly nothing like seeing an opera in the heart of Italy. Phenomenal, emotional performances can warm your heart, bring tears to your eyes, or leave you speechless. If you’re visiting Tuscany in the late spring or early summer, attending an event during the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is the best way to have an authentic opera experience.
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is a prestigious annual Italian arts festival held in the capital city of Florence. Each year, the festival is packed with events, from concerts and prose performances to ballets and operas.
Perhaps the most notable part of the festival is the opera. Typically four are performed at the Opera di Firenze. This year, the 85th Maggio Musicale Fiorentino’s main features are Carmen, La Traviata, L’Italiana in Algeri, and a concert by Daniel Barenboim.
The festival was originally designed to celebrate springtime with dancing, music, and theatrical performances in the spirit of May Day, where all of Tuscany would celebrate spring with parades, banquets, plays, and theatrical performances. Today, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino continues the tradition of paying homage to the rebirth and blossoming associated with springtime in Tuscany.
Fochi di San Giovanni
June 24, 2023
Visiting Tuscany at the end of June? Plan to spend a day experiencing the history and culture of Tuscany in Florence. Every year on the 24th of June, the city of Florence celebrates its Patron Saint, San Giovanni, with a series of events throughout the city. Rich in history, this commemoration of San Giovanni (Saint John the Baptist) dates back centuries. Enjoy a special day filled with a traditional parade, a historic football match, and a spectacular fireworks display.
The day begins with the Ceremony of Candles, a beautiful religious tradition with a procession through the historic Piazza Duomo. A symbolic offering to the Patron Saint San Giovanni, the candles are part of a parade escorted by city officials.
When they arrive at the Baptistery, the candles are received by the Archbishop of Florence, who later holds mass at the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the third largest church in the world.
Calcio Storico Fiorentino
For a completely different experience during Fochi di San Giovanni, plan to watch the riveting final match of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino. The stands are packed, the atmosphere is intense, and the adrenaline is pumping during this Florentine Historic Football final.
Going all the way back to 1530, this heart-pumping Tuscany event is the culmination of a yearly tournament between teams from four historic neighborhoods – San Spirito, Santa Maria Novella, San Giovanni, and Santa Croce. After two semi-final games are played, the winners face each other on June 24th in the Piazza Santa Croce in the heart of Florence.
Beyond being incredibly fun to watch, the competition is steeped in history, commemorating Charles V’s siege of the city in 1530. First organized during the Carnival that year as a way to show pride and mock the oppressive army, the game is played each year to carry on that tradition.
The culmination of the festival, the Fochi di San Giovanni is a marvelous fireworks show set off from Piazzale Michelangelo. Join locals and tourists alike to view the spectacular show from the Piazzale itself or several vantage points throughout the city, including the Lungarno or one of Florence’s centrally located bridges.
Lucca Summer Festival
June 25 to July 31, 2023
Bob Dylan, Celine Dion, Lil Nas X, Billy Idol, KISS, OneRepublic – these are just some of the big names that are part of the 2023 Lucca Summer Festival. The month-long music fest features some of the most legendary and influential artists in the world performing in the beautiful historical town of Lucca in the Piazza Napoleone.
Each year, the much-anticipated event boasts an amazing program of phenomenal performances by the most important names in the music industry. Since the first edition of the festival in 1998, Lucca Summer Festival has hosted David Bowie, James Brown, Jamiroquai, Ray Charles, Elton John, Green Day, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries, the Eagles, and more.
Beginning at the end of June and running through all of July, this Tuscany event at the Lucca Summer Festival can’t be missed if you’re visiting Tuscany in the summer.
The Palio di Siena Festival
July 2 & August 16, 2023
The Palio di Siena is a Tuscany event like no other. The bareback horse race around the Piazza del Campo is a tradition showcasing the passion of the city of Sienna and the intense rivalry between the contrade, or traditional neighborhoods, as they compete for the palio, or banner, that will be proudly displayed in their contrada museum.
The exciting race, with origins as far back as the 6th century, takes place twice a year on July 2nd and August 16th. The July race honors the Madonna of Provenzano while the August race honors the Virgin Mary’s Assumption.
During the race, the entire ring around the square in the center of Sienna, the Piazza del Campo, is covered in clay. Ten contrade, each with their own emblem and colors representing different neighborhoods in the city, are chosen for the fierce competition. And after the drawing of the horses (they don’t know which horse they’re riding until 4 days before!) and 6 trial runs, the day of the Palio arrives.
The entire day is dedicated to the Palio. In the morning, there is a mass for the horse jockeys and a ceremony to confirm them. In the afternoon, each Contrada blesses its horse in a special ceremony, then joins a large parade that winds through the city, ultimately arriving at the Piazza del Campo.
After an exciting firecracker signifies that the horses are entering the piazza, nine of the horses line up in a tight space waiting for the tenth to enter at a gallop, signifying the start of the race. If everything is not as it should be, the jockeys may have to do this over and over. With intense rivalries between the contrade, it can take a long time for the race to actually start, and the anticipation is intense!
Once the race begins, the horses take three heart-pounding laps around the piazza. Whichever horse crosses the finish line first, even without its jockey, wins. It’s a truly unique event that will fully immerse you in the passion of Siena.
Tuscany Events with Cuvée
Whether your ideal Tuscany vacation involves an enchanting evening at the opera or a feisty sporting event featuring heated rivalries, allow Cuvée’s local team to curate an ultimately memorable experience just for you.