Rificolona Festival ( the Festival of lanterns )

Rificolona Festival, a traditional festival where each 7th of September children carry lanterns through the streets of the city.
The celebration takes its origin from the Middle Ages.Florentine children still get out their lanterns in the beginning of September and there are parties in the squares, with street theater and much merrymaking. The Festa della Rificolona is a major festival held every year in Florence and it is a tradition that dates back to the late Middle Ages. In those days, a big annual market was held in Florence at the beginning of September. In order to reach the city on time, farmers had to leave the countryside well before dawn. They used lanterns to light their way, creating a colourful cortege. City folk later transformed this ritual into a procession of lanterns which culminates in a big party far into the night. The procession starts from Piazza San Giovanni.
If you would like to see something very traditional and if you are here in Florence during the beginning of September, you'll surely enjoy this Festival.