New Year’s Eve 2014 in Tuscany

I have been really bad at keeping my blog alive this year. Truth be told, I have had troubles keeping myself alive with work and two young kids! And to think people had always told me “once you have a kid, having one more won’t make much of a difference!”. Well, let me tell you they lied! LOL

Anyway, we are quickly approaching the New Year and it is almost time for new year’s resolution. Mine this year is to try and find the time to bring my poor semi-abandoned blog back to life.

I will start today. I have been doing the usual research on what is going on in our corner of Tuscany on New Year’s Eve, hoping to find some interesting way to spend the last night of the year. We then resolved to spend the night at home with friends but I found some interesting events that might useful to those of you who plan to be more adventurous!

Like every year, there will be street parties and celebrations in all the major cities, with concerts and shows. But I also scouted some smaller, more unusual events.

New Year’s Eve in Siena

As usual, New Year’s Eve will be celebrated with music in the major squares of the city, starting with Piazza Salimbeni where there will be music from 4.30 pm. and a party for children and families. The big street party will be in Piazza del Campo from 9.30pm on.

Other concerts in the area include the concert in Piazza Grande in Montepulciano, where there will also be a bonfire (which I think is neat) and the concert in San Gimignano (Piazza Duomo), with fireworks at midnight.

If, however, you are looking for something a bit different, you might like a medieval new year’s eve at Castel Pietraio. A medieval dinner will be served in a perfectly preserved castle, minutes away from the hamlet of Monteriggioni, along the Via Francigena. You can sleep at the castle if you don’t want to drive after the party. Not cheap (120 euros for an adult and 90 euros for a child), but you can wear a medieval costume if you wish!

If you like ballet, Siena ballet company is performing at Teatro dei Rinnovati in a Grande Soirée organized with the City Council. More information at www.ballettodisiena.it 

New Year’s Eve in Pisa

New Year’s celebrations in Pisa will start in the late afternoon, so that people can enjoy the city before the traditional “cenone” as well. The celebrations will be concentrated around Ponte di Mezzo and the two squares that it joins. There will be acrobatic dancers, percussionists and eclectic musicians to animate the evening.

At midnight there will be fireworks.