The premier arts and crafts fair at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence
MIDA โ International Crafts Exhibition is one of the oldest and most prestigious trade fairs in Italy. Founded in 1931, it is considered the country's first certified crafts fair and one of the longest-running in Europe. Every year, between late April and early May, the exhibition transforms the monumental Fortezza da Basso, in the heart of Florence, into a grand stage dedicated to craftsmanship and artisanal excellence.
Organized by Firenze Fiera in collaboration with Tuscan and national institutions and trade associations, the event has been a cornerstone of 'Made in Italy' identity for decades, successfully blending the tradition of artistic trades with the new challenges of innovation and sustainability.
Spanning an exhibition area of approximately 35,000 square meters, MIDA hosts more than 500 exhibitors from Italy and over thirty other countries. The product categories cover the entire spectrum of artistic craftsmanship:
The beating heart of the fair is the live demonstrations: every day, master artisans showcase their production processes to the public, allowing visitors to connect directly with the talent and techniques that bring these objects to life.
The 2026 edition marks a historic milestone, the 90th edition, celebrated with a rich program of initiatives: a historical exhibition dedicated to the event's ninety years, workshops introducing traditional trades, cooking shows, two international conferences at the Teatrino Lorenese, and guided tours of the Fortezza's evocative underground areas, in collaboration with the Civic Museums. In the evenings, from April 25th to May 2nd, the Fortezza comes alive with outdoor musical performances, DJ sets, and street food.
Hosting MIDA in the Municipality of Florence, in Tuscany, is no coincidence: for centuries, the city has been a global reference point for artistic trades, from leatherworking and Ponte Vecchio jewelry to restoration and fashion. The event embraces this heritage and revitalizes it, offering Italian and international visitors a unique opportunity to discover, admire, and purchase the best of contemporary craftsmanship in a setting of great charm.
From April 25 to May 3, 2026, the Fortezza da Basso in Florence hosts the ninetieth edition of MIDA. To celebrate the milestone, the program includes a historical exhibition dedicated to the 90 years of the event, workshops introducing traditional trades, cooking shows, and two international conferences at the Teatrino Lorenese (April 29-30).
Over 500 exhibitors from Italy and abroad present arts and crafts, design, jewelry, fashion, and gourmet products. Every evening, from April 25 to May 2, outdoor musical performances, DJ sets, and street food enliven the Fortezza with free entry from 8:00 PM.
90th Anniversary Edition: historical exhibition dedicated to the ninety-year journey, international conferences, and evenings with live music and street food with free entry from 8:00 PM.
The Fortezza da Basso is located at Viale Filippo Strozzi 1, just a short walk from the Florence Santa Maria Novella train station, and is easily accessible on foot or by tram. If arriving by car, we recommend using city parking facilities, given the ZTL (restricted traffic zone) in the historic center.
Open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM (until 8:00 PM on May 3rd). Free entry from 8:00 PM with street food and live music.
Full price ticket โฌ8, weekday reduced โฌ6, 4-day weekday pass โฌ12. Free admission for children aged 0-12 when accompanied. Tickets can be purchased online and at the fair.
No photos yet. Share yours!
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Share your experience with the community.
Fortezza da Basso
Viale Filippo Strozzi 1, 50129 Firenze