✨ The Festival of the Rificolona: Florence’s Night of Lanterns

Florence has always been the city of light—sunlight bouncing off Renaissance marble, candle flames flickering under vaulted frescoes, the soft glow of wine glasses in trattorias. But once a year, on the evening of September 7th, the city transforms into something even more magical: a sea of glowing paper lanterns swaying gently in the night breeze.

This is the Festa della Rificolona—a tradition that mixes faith, folklore, and a dash of playful mischief. And trust me, it’s the kind of evening where Florence feels less like a museum and more like a living, breathing stage.

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🌙 A Tradition Born in the Tuscan Hills

The story of the Rificolona goes back to the 1600s, when farmers and pilgrims from the Tuscan countryside made their way to Florence to celebrate the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. The journey was long, and the roads were dark, so they lit their path with simple handmade lanterns.

What began as an act of devotion quickly grew into a local festival. Over the centuries, the lanterns became more colorful, more creative, and eventually, the heart of the celebration.

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🏮 Lanterns, Music, and Mischief

Today, the festival is one of Florence’s most beloved September traditions. Children carry bright paper lanterns on sticks, filling Piazza Santissima Annunziata with light, laughter, and excitement. The air buzzes with music, food stalls, and the sparkle of Florentines of all ages coming together.

And here’s the fun part: in the past, young boys would try to blow out other people’s lanterns with straws and spitballs—turning the solemn procession into a playful battlefield of lights. While today it’s more symbolic (and far less messy!), the cheeky spirit still lingers in the festival atmosphere.

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💫 Why You Should Go

The Festa della Rificolona is more than a festival—it’s an experience. It’s seeing Florence not as a postcard but as a living story. For one night, the city is bathed in the glow of hundreds of fragile lanterns, each one carrying a piece of history, creativity, and community.

And let’s be honest: there’s nothing more poetic than sipping a glass of Tuscan wine while Florence glows around you, lanterns dancing in the night sky.

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✨ So if you thought Florence was only about Michelangelo and the Uffizi, think again. September 7th is when the city lights up in the sweetest, quirkiest way—and trust me, it’s unforgettable.

Stay tuned—because this is only the first of many magical and unusual Italian traditions we’ll be exploring together here on Veronica Dolce. 💌