Florence Gelato Festival – Italy 2025

Background & History

The Florence Gelato Festival, part of the Gelato Festival World Masters, began in Florence, Italy, over a decade ago and has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious gelato competitions. Florence, the birthplace of gelato—credited to Bernardo Buontalenti in the 16th century for creating it for the Medici family—hosts this festival to celebrate artisanal gelato craftsmanship. The event is a key qualifier for the Gelato Festival World Masters, where top chefs compete to represent their region at the World Finals in Italy (next in 2026). The festival showcases innovative flavors, workshops, and cultural performances, drawing gelato enthusiasts to Florence’s historic venues. It promotes Italian culinary heritage, with Florence recognized as a UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy since 2017.

Event Highlights

• Gelato Tasting Competitions: Sample unique flavors from top gelato artisans competing for a spot in the 2026 World Finals. Past flavors include tropical basil, chocolate-pear, and green tea with red beans. Visitors can vote for their favorite, influencing 30% of the competition outcome alongside a technical jury (70%).
• Workshops and Masterclasses: Learn gelato-making techniques from experts at Carpigiani Gelato University, with hands-on sessions (~$20–$50 USD).
• Cultural Performances: Enjoy live music and dance reflecting Tuscan heritage, creating a festive atmosphere in Florence’s historic squares.
• Gelato Tours: Guided tours of Florence’s top gelaterias, like Perché No! and Gelateria dei Neri, offering tastings and insights into gelato history (~$30–$60 USD).
• Local Ingredients Showcase: Vendors highlight seasonal Tuscan ingredients, such as Bronte pistachios and San Gavino saffron, used in gelato production.

Date & Duration

Dates: Exact dates for 2025 are not yet confirmed, as the Florence Gelato Festival typically announces its schedule closer to the event. Historically, it occurs in late spring or early summer (late May to early June), often spanning 5 days. Based on available data, a likely window is late May 2025 (e.g., May 22–26, 2025), but verification is needed closer to the date via gelatofestival.com.
Duration: Typically 5 days, with daily hours from ~10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Note: The source mentioning August 30–31, 2025, refers to the Gelato Festival World Masters in Los Angeles, not Florence. For Florence-specific dates, check gelatofestival.com or contact love@gelatofestival.com.

Venue / Location

Main Address: Piazzale Michelangelo, 50125 Florence, Italy (primary venue for past Florence Gelato Festivals, offering scenic views and space for food trucks and stalls).
Additional Locations: Events may also occur in central Florence locations, such as:

• Piazza della Signoria: Piazza della Signoria, 50122 Florence, Italy (potential for cultural performances).
• Carpigiani Gelato University (for workshops): Via Emilia, 45, 40011 Anzola dell’Emilia (BO), Italy (20 km from Florence, used for specific events like the Italian Semifinals on October 27–28, 2025).
  City and Country: Florence, Tuscany, Italy
  Note: The address provided (6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA) pertains to the Gelato Festival World Masters in Los Angeles, not Florence. The Florence event is centered in Florence’s historic districts.

Contact Information

Email: love@gelatofestival.com
Phone: Not listed for Florence specifically; contact via email or website for inquiries.
Address: No specific Florence office listed; event operations are managed through Gelato Festival’s global team. For local inquiries, contact Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero (+39 0173 35833, info@visitlmr.it).
Website: gelatofestival.com
Social Media: gelatofestival (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

Ticket Information

• General Admission: ~$5–$15 USD (5–14 EUR), based on past Florence events. A “Gelato Card” allows sampling of multiple flavors and access to reserved events.
  • Individual Gelato Card: ~$10–$15 USD (9–14 EUR), includes tastings of 5–8 flavors and voting rights.
  • Group Gelato Card (up to 5 people): ~$30–$50 USD (27–46 EUR), discounted per person.
• Workshops/Masterclasses: ~$20–$50 USD (18–46 EUR), depending on duration and chef.
• Gelato Tours: ~$30–$60 USD (27–55 EUR), includes guided tastings at multiple gelaterias.
• Add-on Tasting Passes (based on Los Angeles pricing, likely similar in Florence):
  • 3 flavors: ~$25 USD (23 EUR)
  • 5 flavors: ~$40 USD (37 EUR)
  • 10 flavors: ~$60 USD (55 EUR)
• Free Access: Some cultural performances and public events in Florence’s squares (e.g., Piazza della Signoria) may be free, subject to crowd limits.
• Sales Channels: Tickets are available online at gelatofestival.com (from spring 2025) or on-site at Piazzale Michelangelo’s ticket booth. QR codes on smartphones or printed tickets are accepted.
• Notes: 2025 pricing is estimated based on historical data and Los Angeles event pricing. All sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges. Group discounts for 20+ people may be available; contact love@gelatofestival.com. Reservations are recommended for workshops and tours.

Cultural Experience

The Florence Gelato Festival immerses visitors in the birthplace of gelato, blending Renaissance history with modern culinary artistry. Held in iconic settings like Piazzale Michelangelo, the festival celebrates Florence’s UNESCO Creative City status with vibrant street performances and gelato-making demonstrations. Visitors explore innovative flavors, from vegan almond-based creations to classic hazelnut, while engaging with Tuscan traditions through music and dance. The event fosters a family-friendly, lively atmosphere, with gelato artisans sharing stories of their craft, connecting attendees to Italy’s gastronomic heritage.

Food & Drinks

• Must-Try Specialties: Sample unique gelato flavors like “Mandorland” (vegan almond with chocolate) or “Carrot Cake” (spiced cream with cream cheese swirls), alongside classics like pistachio and coffee ($3–$7 USD per scoop). Market stalls offer Tuscan treats like cantucci biscuits ($2–$5 USD) and espresso ($2–$4 USD).
• Festival Dining: Food trucks at Piazzale Michelangelo serve panini ($5–$10 USD), bruschetta ($3–$6 USD), and local wines like Chianti ($5–$10 USD per glass). Nearby gelaterias, such as Gelateria dei Neri (Via dei Neri 9, 50122 Florence), offer additional flavors ($3–$8 USD).
• Vegan/Gluten-Free Options: Select vendors provide lactose-free and vegan gelato (e.g., almond or tropical sorbet), though availability varies. Check gelatofestival.com for flavor details.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: The festival is all-ages, with children’s activities like gelato-making workshops (~$10–$20 USD) and free cultural performances. Child tickets (~$5–$10 USD, under 12) include basic tastings, with kids under 3 admitted free.
• Accessibility: Piazzale Michelangelo is wheelchair-accessible, with flat pathways and restrooms. Florence’s cobblestone streets may pose challenges; accessible trams (e.g., T1 line) connect to the city center. Contact love@gelatofestival.com for specific accommodations.

Getting There

• By Air: Florence Airport (FLR), 8 km from the city center, offers flights from major European cities. Taxis or trams (T2 line, $1.70 USD) to Santa Maria Novella station take 20 minutes. Pisa Airport (PSA), 80 km away, is an alternative (bus/train, $10–$15 USD, 1 hour).
• Public Transport: From Florence Santa Maria Novella station, take bus 12 or 13 to Piazzale Michelangelo (15 minutes, $1.70 USD). Free transport passes with hotel stays cover buses and trams.
• Parking: Limited at Piazzale Michelangelo; use Parcheggio Santa Maria Novella (Piazza della Stazione, ~$2–$4 USD/hour) and bus to the venue.
• Traffic Restrictions: Expect closures around Piazzale Michelangelo during festival hours. Check gelatofestival.com for updates.

Clarification on the Los Angeles Event

The provided details about the Gelato Festival World Masters in Los Angeles (August 30–31, 2025, Ovation Hollywood) are part of the global competition but distinct from the Florence event. In Los Angeles, tickets range from $22–$64 USD, with sessions from 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, featuring North American chefs competing for the 2026 World Finals. If you’re interested in this event instead, I can provide a detailed breakdown of its schedule, competitors (e.g., Golan Chetrit’s “Halva Nagila”), and ticketing.

Additional Services

• Information Booths: Available at Piazzale Michelangelo for maps and schedules.
• Merchandise: Festival-branded cups, T-shirts, and gelato recipe books ($5–$20 USD) sold at the venue.
• Guided Tours: Book gelato tours or Florence city tours via Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero (+39 0173 35833, info@visitlmr.it, ~$20–$60 USD).
• Sustainability: The festival promotes local, seasonal ingredients, with some vendors offering eco-friendly packaging.
• Pets: Allowed in outdoor areas like Piazzale Michelangelo, per leash regulations.