Carnival in Florence with Kids
Florence’s Carnival is not as famous as Venice’s or Viareggio’s, but it has a solid tradition and offers plenty of activities for families with children. Neighborhood parties, mask-making workshops, and city parades make the Carnival period (late January to early March) one of the liveliest times of year.
Carnival in Florence with children
Florence’s Carnival has a long history. In the Middle Ages the city had very elaborate celebrations, with floats and masks. The tradition has continued, though in different forms.
Today Florence’s Carnival focuses mainly on the weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday. The main activities are spread across the city’s neighborhoods, with events organized by associations, schools, and parishes.
For children, Florence’s Carnival works on three levels: public events in the piazzas, neighborhood parties, and workshops run by cultural centers.
Events and city parades
Florence does not have a grand official parade like Venice, but there are public events every year.
Piazza della Repubblica: during the Carnival weekend the square hosts entertainment, music, and sometimes masked parades. The central event changes each year: check the Florence City Council website (comune.fi.it) for the updated program.
Piazza Santa Croce: the large square is often used for cultural events during Carnival. Check the events calendar organized by the Muse association.
Parco delle Cascine: the large park along the Lungarno sometimes hosts family events during Carnival. The open-air setting is suitable for children of all ages.
Historic neighborhoods: the Santo Spirito, San Frediano, and Santa Croce neighborhoods organize street parties with music, games, and food. These parties are less publicized than the official events but often more authentic.
Mask-making workshops
Handcrafted mask-making workshops are one of the Carnival activities best suited to children. Florence has several organized by theaters, cultural associations, and craft schools.
Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino: the theater organizes family activities linked to Carnival, including creative workshops. Check the education calendar on the theater’s website.
Museo dei Ragazzi (Palazzo Vecchio): the Museo dei Ragazzi runs themed workshops throughout the year, including during Carnival. Venetian mask and historical costume workshops are among the most popular. Online booking required. Cost about 6-10 euros per child.
Oltrarno artisan associations: some craft workshops in the Oltrarno run sessions by appointment. You learn to decorate a papier-mache or leather mask. Search on the social media pages of Florence’s artisans.
Civic libraries: neighborhood libraries often run free workshops for children during Carnival. Check the Florence City Council website for events at local branch libraries.
Traditional Tuscan costumes
Tuscany has a tradition of historical costumes linked to medieval and Renaissance re-enactments. Some of these traditions overlap with Carnival.
Arlecchino and Colombina: Commedia dell’Arte masks found all over Italy. In Florence they were very present in historical Carnivals. Mask-making workshops often use these characters as a reference.
Renaissance costumes: Florence is synonymous with the Renaissance, and some Carnival events feature costumes inspired by 15th- and 16th-century Florentine fashion. Dresses with tocques, skirts, and caps for girls; tunics and berets for boys.
Where to hire or buy: there are several costume boutiques in Florence that hire out or sell Carnival costumes. Look along Via della Vigna Vecchia and the streets near Via dei Servi. Hire prices range from 10 to 30 euros for a weekend.
How to join neighborhood parties
Neighborhood parties during Carnival are the most genuine and accessible events for families.
You can find them through: neighborhood social media pages (try Facebook groups like “Quartiere 1 Firenze” or “Oltrarno eventi”), flyers in local libraries and bars, and the City Council website.
Neighborhood parties are usually free or ask a small contribution (2-5 euros per person). They include music, dancing, food, and space for children in costume.
Santo Spirito: Piazza di Santo Spirito is one of Florence’s liveliest spots during Carnival. Events are often organized by local traders and associations.
San Frediano and Oltrarno: an artisan neighborhood with a strong community feel. Carnival parties here have a more traditional character.
A practical tip: dress the children in Carnival costumes even just for a walk around the historic center. During the Carnival period it is not unusual to see costumed children out and about, even without a specific event taking place.
Where to stay
If you are visiting Florence during Carnival, Charlotte is the bed and breakfast in the historic center of Florence designed for families.
The central location means you can join the piazza events and street parties on foot, without needing public transport.
Find out more about Charlotte and book your stay in Florence.
