· past event
Ferragosto in Florence: the Fantastic Garden Gala
The evening of 15 August at the villa: dinner, music and the pool open late.
- When
- 15 August 2026
- Where we are
- Fantastic Garden, Sesto Fiorentino
On 15 August 2026 Fantastic Garden opens its gates for the Ferragosto Gala: a whole day, from 9.30 am to midnight, given over to swimming, resting and eating well, with the pool, entertainment, games, buffets, a DJ set and a night swim. If you are wondering how to spend Ferragosto in Florence without giving up either the sun or the party, here is the official hour-by-hour programme, the pool packages and everything practical you need to know.
What to do at Ferragosto in Florence: a whole day by the pool
The question everyone asks in August is always the same: what is there to do at Ferragosto in Florence, when the city empties out and the heat gives no quarter? Fantastic Garden's answer is one place for the entire day, fifteen minutes from the centre: the pool open from the morning, professional entertainment at the water's edge, two buffets (lunch and dinner), water tournaments with prizes, and a dancing evening that ends with a night swim under the stars.
There is nothing to move and nothing to arrange: you arrive in the morning, choose your package, and the day unfolds already written, from the 9.30 am Welcome Day to the DJ set at midnight.
The morning programme
- 9.30 am – Gates open & Welcome Day. Day Experience and Full Experience guests are welcomed, shown to their places and given their day wristbands.
- 10.30 am – Good Morning Music & group dancing. The day begins by the pool with music, entertainment and group dances led by a professional host.
- 11.30 am – First official game: King of the Lilo. A knockout contest on a giant floating inflatable: whoever keeps their balance longest without falling in wins. The overall winner receives a special official prize of the summer.
- 12 noon – The aperitivo game: Water Name That Tune. The host plays a few seconds of a well-known song: whoever recognises it has to reach the floating microphone in the middle of the pool and name it. Two aperitifs at the villa bar for the winner.
The great Ferragosto buffet (1 pm – 2.30 pm)
At lunchtime the food area opens with a generous selection of summer specialities, cold dishes from the local tradition and the chef's own suggestions. It is the heart of the day, the moment that turns a day at the pool into a real Ferragosto lunch. Drinks are not included in the buffet and are charged as taken.
Afternoon: rest, fresh fruit and water tournaments
- 2.30 pm – 3.30 pm · Relax & sunbathing. An hour on the sun loungers, with music in the background.
- 3.30 pm – Fruit refreshment pool service. Staff come round to guests in the pool with skewers of fresh fruit and slices of chilled watermelon.
- 4 pm – Water tournament: mega water volley. A game of volleyball in the water with a giant inflatable ball, open to everyone. Every member of the winning team receives an official Fantastic Garden gift.
The end of the day: outdoor games and sunset
- 5 pm – Outdoor entertainment: spray & limbo game. Games and courses on the villa lawn, with water jets, limbo and tests of agility for adults and children alike.
- 6 pm – Sunset dance around the pool. Choreographed group dances around the water to celebrate the Ferragosto sunset together.
- 6.30 pm – Second aperitivo game: the acrobatic waiter's relay. A timed race in which competitors carry water with a giant sponge over a series of obstacles. The winning team receives two signature aperitifs for two.
The evening: Pizza & Pasta Party, DJ set and night swim
- 7.30 pm – Evening entry opens & Welcome Night. Night Experience guests are welcomed and given their own wristbands. All daytime activities officially end at this point.
- 8 pm – Great Pizza & Pasta Party buffet. A selection of hot pizzas straight from the oven and pasta dishes made to order in the Italian tradition. Drinks are not included in the buffet.
- 9 pm – midnight · DJ set, party & night swim. Music of every kind, dancing, lighting, a summer mood, and the pool open until midnight for a swim under the stars.
Packages and admission
Day Experience · 9.30 am – 7 pm · €50
Includes day admission to the pool, all the games and entertainment of the day, and the great Ferragosto lunch buffet.
Night Experience · 7.30 pm – midnight · €40
Includes evening admission, the pool open for the night swim until midnight, the Pizza & Pasta Party buffet, the DJ set and the dancing.
Full Experience · 9.30 am – midnight · €80
Includes the whole day: admission from the morning, all daytime activities, the lunch buffet, the afternoon entertainment, and the evening with the Pizza & Pasta Party buffet, the DJ set and the night swim until midnight.
Ferragosto in Florence 2026: what to know
- Children up to the age of 10 pay half price on all three packages.
- Drinks at both lunch and dinner are not included in the buffet price and are charged as taken.
- On arrival each guest is given an identifying wristband, in a different colour for each Experience.
- The programme may be subject to change: follow us to stay up to date.
Ferragosto in Florence: where we are and how to book
Fantastic Garden is at Viale XX Settembre 200, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino (FI), about 15 minutes from the centre of Florence: by car, leave the A1 at Firenze Nord, then follow signs for Sesto Fiorentino and Viale XX Settembre. There is ample free parking inside the grounds.
Places for the Gala on 15 August are limited and booking is required:
- Telephone: +39 055 0981528
- Booking: www.app.fantastic-garden.com