How to celebrate Halloween in Italy: enjoy a weekend in Florence

Florence has long attracted visitors with its huge collection of art treasures.

16 Oct 2019

Gruppo UNA

Who explored the secret passageways of Florence in the hit novel and movie Inferno. In addition, there are lots of delightfully spooky festivities aimed at families and young children, making this one of the top places to celebrate Halloween in Italy for kids. So let's climb on our broomsticks to see what otherworldly treats are in store for us in Florence in 2019.

Florence

A mystery-filled Halloween break.

Inspired by Dan Brown's novels, many companies like A Daydream in Florence organise elaborate, brain-teasing treasure hunts. Players navigate the city solving puzzles and finding clues in order to win prizes. It's a wonderful way for adults and children alike to uncover the secrets of this beautiful city. These events are usually advertised in advance on Facebook and other social media platforms, with players signing up online beforehand.

Halloween vacation ideas for kids.

If you're in town the weekend before All Hallows, the Hard Rock Cafe on Via De' Brunelleschi is holding its annual Lil' Monsters Halloween Bash on Saturday 26th October at 9:15 am. Children can tuck into a hearty brunch, while entertainments include a costume parade and papier-mache crafts. For alternative eating arrangements, try the Buoneria Family Food Village at the Parco delle Cascine, which has an outdoor children's play area as well as pizzas, grills and other tasty treats.

More things to do on your Halloween weekend in Florence.

For art buffs, the Uffizi gallery is hosting its “Forged in Fire” exhibition of Renaissance bronze sculptures, with any number of lurid mythological scenes that fit in well with a Halloween-themed weekend. If you're into sewing or knitting, Florence Creativity at the Fortezza da Basso is a major craft fair that takes place over three days, with lots of stalls and seminars on all manner of handicrafts. Who knows, you might even get some tips to help you with your Halloween costume.

Halloween Florence: events.

One of the town's biggest events on the 31st October is the annual Firenze Halloween 4 km Run. This takes place in the Parco delle Cascine at 8 pm, and there are prizes for the best costumes, masks and face paintings. The park is specially decked out in a spooky Halloween theme, and competitors run around the 160-hectare grounds with torches and lamps. To take part, you need to register a half hour before the race starts. The entry fee is 13 Euros (5 euros for children under the age of ten). The registration price entitles you to some official merch and refreshments afterwards.

Ghost tours at night

Plenty of companies put on after-dark walks over the weekend which are sure to have a major goosebump factor. The Florence Inferno Halloween tour takes its cue from Dan Brown's bestselling thriller of the same name, with visits to the Badia Fiorentina bell tower and other locations mentioned in the novel. Customers are encouraged to dress up to add to the atmosphere. Meanwhile, other tours dwell on legends, myths and some of the more gruesome moments in the town's history.

Best Halloween vacation nightlife ideas.

The adult Halloween party scene isn't quite as big in Florence as it is in Rome. However, the Hard Rock Cafe is set to put on a colourful event – more details to be announced. Being a bar inspired by all things American, Il Rifrullo on Via San Niccolo usually pulls out all the stops for Halloween. Moyo on Via Dei Benci is a cocktail bar which puts on a lively roster of DJ nights and themed parties. Plus there's no shortage of other hot nightspots like Tenax and The Space Club, and it's well worth checking their websites for updates.

Leone Blu Suites | UNA Esperienze

Booking your Halloween vacation in Italy.

Gruppo UNA has some outstanding accommodation in Florence to tempt you over the Halloween weekend. For example, the UNAHOTELS Vittoria Firenze is close to excellent transport links, while its interior is decorated in a sumptuous contemporary Italian style courtesy of architect Fabio Novembre - fans of Italian cinema will feel like they're in a chic Dario Argento movie. Meanwhile, the Leone Blu Suites | UNA Esperienze in the 15th century Ricasole palace offers spacious apartments furnished with elegant Florentine antiques – the perfect pied-a-terre for a nest of elegantly dressed vampires.

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