Firenze dei Bambini
The festival that turns Florence into a child-friendly city
About Firenze dei Bambini
A festival that puts children at the heart of Florence
Firenze dei Bambini is the major cultural event that, every spring, turns the historic center of the Tuscan capital into a space entirely dedicated to the little ones. For three days, museums, monumental palaces, libraries, institutes, and squares of the Municipality of Florence host hundreds of free activities: creative workshops, theatrical performances, games, animated readings, concerts, and meetings designed for children up to 12 years old and their families.
The event is promoted by the Municipality of Florence, through the Le Chiavi della Città office, and by the Fondazione MUS.E, under the artistic direction of Valentina Zucchi. Launched in 2014, it has become one of the most popular family events in the Province of Florence and all of Tuscany, recognized for the quality of its educational offerings and its ability to make the rich Florentine heritage accessible and fun.
City landmarks opening their doors to children
What makes Firenze dei Bambini special is the network of prestigious venues that welcome the public each year. Regular highlights include Palazzo Vecchio, the Museo Stefano Bardini, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the Biblioteca delle Oblate, the Istituto degli Innocenti, the Military Geographical Institute, the Santa Maria Novella complex, and numerous other spaces in the city center. Children wearing a special wristband can also visit the Florentine Civic Museums for free when accompanied by an adult.
A different theme every year
Each edition revolves around a major theme that guides the workshops, shows, and meetings. Topics range from civic and environmental values to the great protagonists of children's literature, always presented in a playful way suitable for different age groups, from toddlers to pre-teens.
A free and widespread event
All activities at Firenze dei Bambini are free of charge. Most events are open-access, while some special proposals—such as the evocative nights at the museum or lunches in the library—require booking due to limited capacity. It is this widespread formula, open to everyone, that has made the event a benchmark for families in Florence, Tuscany, and beyond, allowing them to discover the city in an unusual and joyful way.
Firenze dei Bambini — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Firenze dei Bambini, the thirteenth, celebrates the bicentenary of the birth of Carlo Collodi (Carlo Lorenzini, born in Florence in 1826), the father of Pinocchio. Titled With Pinocchio, between half-lies and near-truths, the event focuses on the puppet's adventures and the theme of the boundary between truth and falsehood, presented in an educational and playful way for children.
Promoted by the Municipality of Florence and the Fondazione MUS.E, the edition is held under the patronage of the Fondazione Nazionale Carlo Collodi and is included among the official events of the Collodi bicentenary. Three days of free workshops, shows, readings, and games enliven the Florentine historic center.
Programme Firenze dei Bambini 2026
Friday, May 22
A day dedicated to schools, with initiatives and workshops reserved for local institutions.
Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24
Days open to families, with hundreds of free events for children up to 12 years old distributed across historic center venues:
- Award ceremony for Roberto Innocenti — a special moment dedicated to the great Florentine illustrator, followed by an illustration workshop and a book signing for his Pinocchio.
- Night at the museum — overnight stays for children and families at the Museo Stefano Bardini, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, and Palazzo Vecchio (limited spots, mandatory booking from 10:00 AM on Monday, May 18).
- Finale in Piazza della Signoria — in the presence of Paola Lorenzini, great-granddaughter of Carlo Collodi.
- Illustration workshops, puppet theater, musical activities, shows, and animated readings dedicated to Pinocchio in various locations (Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Maria Novella, Biblioteca delle Oblate, Istituto degli Innocenti, Military Geographical Institute, and other spaces).
Children equipped with the event's special wristband can visit the Florentine Civic Museums and Palazzo Medici Riccardi for free when accompanied by an adult.
Highlights Firenze dei Bambini 2026
- Bicentenary of the birth of Carlo Collodi (1826-2026) with a focus on Pinocchio
- Award ceremony for illustrator Roberto Innocenti with workshop and book signing
- Nights at the museum at Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Bardini, and Palazzo Medici Riccardi
- Presence of Paola Lorenzini, Collodi's great-granddaughter, at the finale in Piazza della Signoria
Prices Firenze dei Bambini 2026
Practical information — Firenze dei Bambini
When
Every year in May, for three days (Friday dedicated to schools, Saturday and Sunday open to families).
Where
Historic center of Florence: Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Bardini, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Biblioteca delle Oblate, Istituto degli Innocenti, Santa Maria Novella, and other venues.
How to get there
Florence is served by the Santa Maria Novella station, a high-speed rail hub. By car, we recommend using peripheral parking lots and public transport, as the historic center is largely a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) and pedestrianized.
Admission and bookings
All activities are free. Some (night at the museum, library lunches) require mandatory booking due to limited space. Full program and details are available at cultura.comune.fi.it and musefirenze.it.
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Where does it take place — Firenze dei Bambini
Centro storico di Firenze
Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Firenze