Florence events & things to do in October 2026
Start with Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi's Dome, Santa Croce, plus Uffizi Gallery. October in Florence averages 22°C / 71°F highs, 11°C / 52°F nights, and about 9 rainy days.
Expect 22°C/71°F days and about 9 rainy ones in October. Start with these:
- Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Brunelleschi's Dome★ 4.8 · 108.7k reviewsFlorence began the cathedral in the 13th century and finished the massive brick dome under Filippo Brunelleschi in the 15th century.
- Santa Croce★ 4.8 · 41.2k reviewsThe Franciscan basilica holds tombs and memorials for Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli, Dante, and Rossini.
- Visita Collezione Arte Ambientale e Giardini StoriciOct 1 – Oct 31Collezione Gori - Fattoria di Celle · Source: Ticketmaster
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Florence in October 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
71°F / 52°F
21.6°C / 11.2°C
RainPrecipitation
9d
4.1in · 105mm
LightDaylight
10.8h
October is autumn shoulder season, with rain increasing and museum reservations still worthwhile.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Oct 3 – Oct 31
- Oct 3 – Oct 31
- Oct 5 – Oct 11
Florence Jazz Festival 2026
A series of jazz concerts featuring local and international artists across multiple venues in Florence.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 10 events for October
- Oct 10 – Oct 18
Florence Biennale 2026
An international contemporary art exhibition showcasing works from artists around the world, held at Fortezza da Basso.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Oct 15
- Oct 15 – Oct 22
Florence International Film Festival 2026
A week-long festival featuring international films, premieres, and panel discussions held at various cinemas in Florence.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Oct 23 – Oct 24
Florence Marathon Expo 2026
The official expo for the upcoming Florence Marathon, featuring sports gear, local products, and athlete meet-and-greets.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Oct 25
Florence Marathon 2026
Annual marathon race through the historic streets of Florence, attracting runners worldwide.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Oct 30
- Oct 31 – Nov 8
Oldest European festival dedicated to the documentary cinema.
Source: festival calendar
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Oct 4Francis of AssisiPublic holiday
About Florence
City overview
Florence is a compact Arno River city where the medieval street grid, Medici palaces, Brunelleschi dome, and Oltrarno workshops put Renaissance art within short walks. Santa Maria Novella handles arrivals, San Giovanni and Santa Croce hold the museum core, and Santo Spirito or San Niccolò show the working south-bank layer.
Food & drink
Florence food is Tuscan and offal-friendly: bistecca alla fiorentina is a thick T-bone grilled rare, ribollita reheats bread, beans, and cavolo nero into soup, pappa al pomodoro softens tomato and bread, and lampredotto fills street sandwiches with simmered tripe. Mercato Centrale, Sant'Ambrogio Market, Nerbone, Via de' Neri sandwich shops, and Oltrarno trattorie add crostini neri, pappardelle al cinghiale, cantucci, Chianti, and Brunello.
Top sights
Ranked for October suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Uffizi Gallery
- 2Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria
- 3Bargello Museum
- 4Santa Maria Novella
- 5Galleria dell'Accademia
- 6Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte
- 7Ponte Vecchio and Vasari Corridor
- 8Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens
1Uffizi Gallery
4.7★ · 92,055indoorClosed MonGiorgio Vasari designed the late 16th-century offices that became the Medici art collection. Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Leonardo's Annunciation, Titian, Caravaggio, Raphael, and corridor portraits make three hours realistic.
WikipediaReserve timed entry for spring, summer, and holiday weeks; same-day lines are longest after 10:00.
2Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria
4.7★ · 25,324indoorOpen dailyThe medieval city hall faces the Loggia dei Lanzi and the original site of Michelangelo's David, now marked by a copy. Inside, Vasari frescoes fill the Salone dei Cinquecento.
3Bargello Museum
4.7★ · 8,860indoorClosed MonThe former barracks and prison became a sculpture museum with Donatello, Michelangelo, Giambologna, Verrocchio, ceramics, textiles, ivory, and arms. It is less crowded than the Uffizi or Accademia.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4Santa Maria Novella
- 5Galleria dell'Accademia
- 6Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato al Monte
Neighborhoods
1San Giovanni and Piazza del Duomo
San Giovanni is cathedral Florence, with the Duomo, Baptistery, Campanile, Via Calzaiuoli, Piazza della Repubblica, and the densest day-trip crowds.
2Santa Maria Novella
Santa Maria Novella is arrival-and-hotel Florence, with Firenze SMN, the basilica, Via della Scala, tram stops, and practical restaurants near the station.
3Santa Croce
Santa Croce mixes basilica courtyards, leather shops, bars, Sant'Ambrogio market, and evening squares east of the Uffizi core.
Day trips
8km / 20-30min by ATAF bus 7 from Piazza San Marco
Fiesole
The hill town has Etruscan and Roman ruins, a small cathedral, cypress views, and sunset terraces over Florence. It is the easiest half-day escape.
75km / about 1h 20min by bus from Florence bus station near SMN
Siena
Piazza del Campo, the striped cathedral, contrade streets, and Palio history make Siena the strongest Tuscan city day trip. Bus usually beats train for the historic center.
85km / 1h by train from Firenze SMN to Pisa Centrale, plus 25min to Lucca
Pisa and Lucca
Pisa gives the Leaning Tower and cathedral field, while Lucca adds Renaissance walls and a flatter old town. Pairing both works if you start early.
Getting around
Florence's historic center is fastest on foot, with ZTL rules making rental cars a liability inside the core. Tram T2 links the airport with Santa Maria Novella, T1 reaches Villa Costanza park-and-ride and Scandicci, and regional buses or trains from SMN handle Fiesole, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, and Chianti transfers.
Planning a Florence trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in October.
Common questions about Florence in October
- What to pack for Florence in October
Pack for October's weather, not a generic Florence checklist.
- Layerable daytime clothes for average highs around 22°C / 71°F.
- A light evening layer because nights average 11°C / 52°F.
- A small umbrella or packable shell for scattered rain across about 9 days.
- How many days do you need in Florence
- 4 days covers the main Florence highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Florence worth visiting in October
- Yes. October in Florence averages 22°C / 71°F highs, 11°C / 52°F nights, and about 9 rainy days.
Ready to plan Florence?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Florence plan for October 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.