June 24, Florence celebrates its patron saint, San Giovanni: the Festa di San Giovanni is marked with a traditional parade through the centre, a so-called Calcio Storico match in Piazza Santa Croce, and, later in the evening, a fireworks display over the Arno River.
The first celebrations of San Giovanni as the city’s patron saint dates back to the 14th century, when the Baptistery of San Giovanni and the surrounding piazza were the heart of Florence’s religious and political life.
There is also an unofficial tradition which is the one of eating a gelato after the fireworks display. Every year, gelato shops all over the city are open to festival goers reaching for cones full of their favourite flavours, thus giving the holiday its nickname, Festa del gelato.
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