On the 24th of June, Florence will celebrate its patron saint St John the Baptist with one of the most heartfelt and spectacular festivals of the year, featuring costume parades, historic challenges and the famous “fochi” that will illuminate the sky above the River Arno.

The festivities start at 9am in the morning in Piazza della Signoria where you can enjoy breakfast in the historic café Rivoire as you wait for the arrival of the Historical Procession of the Florentine Republic. This will be followed with a flag throwing performance by the colour guard. Then if you want, you can follow the parade heading towards the Duomo to watch the ritual offerings of the Paschal candles and the solemn mass dedicated to the patron saint.

For lunch, you will be spoilt for choice: from the grilled steaks of Regina Bistecca, a former antique bookshop turned into a restaurant, just steps away from the Duomo to the dishes of Trattoria Sostanza, renowned for its artichoke tart, and for those who want a more authentic experience, there is the refined Michelin-starred restaurant Atto di Vito Mollica. If you prefer eating something on the go, you can have panini with traditional fillings at I Fratellini, the gourmet rolls of Ino or the famous schiacciata prepared by All’Antico Vinaio.

In the afternoon, you can watch the procession that leaves from Piazza Santa Maria Novella at 4pm heading to Piazza Santa Croce, where the long-awaited final of Calcio Storico Fiorentino will be played at 6pm. After the match, you can head towards Sant’Ambrogio for dinner in one of the Cibrèo restaurants, a staple of Florentine cuisine.

Alternatively, you can spend the evening on the River Arno watching the traditional Palio Remiero and then have dinner at Caffè dell’Oro which offers a view of Ponte Vecchio.

You will of course have the opportunity to attend the most spectacular event at 10pm when the sky of Florence is illuminated by the traditional “fochi” of San Giovanni. This magical experience lasts 40 minutes and can be admired from Lungarno della Zecca Vecchia or for those who want to toast with a view from a terrace such as the one at The Lodge or at the Empireo Rooftop Bar.