christmas in florence

Christmas in Florence - Ideas and calendar

A calendar of cultural, original and traditional events for an emotional Christmas in Florence.

Undoubtedly, the cherished elements of Christmas are food, family, gifts, fun, leisure and drinks, and nothing will ever change that. Keeping that in mind, we have created a Florentine Christmas calendar that will bring you through the whole of December until the end of the year.
Attention! For the grumpy grinches on duty, there’s even hope of finding something pleasant for you

Florence Lights Up - 7 December

On December 7th the main monuments are also illuminated thanks to Florence Lights Up, the light festival that recounts the themes and values of the #EnjoyRespectFlorence campaign. The projections remain on from 5.30pm to midnight and will be active until 7 January 2025. Instead, the classic lighting of the Christmas trees is set for Sunday 8th (6pm Piazza Duomo, 6.30pm Piazza della Repubblica, 7.30pm Piazzale Michelangelo).


Florence Ice Village and Ferris Wheel - from 1 December to 19 January


From 1 December to 19 January 2025, the most magical and exciting place of this period returns by popular demand to the Parco delle Cascine in Florence: the ice skating rink! The Ice Village, in fact, boasts the longest ice skating rink in Italy and a huge 55m high Ferris wheel from which to observe the whole city! 


Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce – from 23 November to 22 December 2024


The unmissable Weihnachtsmarkt returns until 22 December, the traditional German Christmas market which brings gastronomic specialties such as frankfurters, sauerkraut, pork shanks, pretzels and strudels to the city, as well as objects and typical German products. The favorite market of all Florentines can be found in the magical Piazza Santa Croce. Discover all the Christmas markets.

Christmas Eve - December 24

Christmas Eve is the perfect opportunity to go and see the best exhibitions in the city: Helen Frankenthaler, Michelangelo, Monet, Renoir, and much more. (All exhibitions, except those of the Museo degli Innocenti, are included with the Firenzecard). We also highlight the Christmas Concert at the Teatro Verdi on 24 December 2024: to celebrate the Christmas holidays, a score heard for the first time on Christmas Day was chosen. It is Siegfried's Idyll, a gift offered by Richard Wagner to his wife Cosima Liszt on 25 December 1870, the day of his thirty-third birthday.


Christmas in Florence - December 25

Christmas day is spent with whoever and however you want. We hope that Florence will pamper you properly with its red rooftops and Renaissance atmosphere illuminated by warm Christmas lights. 

Post-Christmas in Florence - December 26/30 

On these days of the Florentine holiday period, it’s the perfect time to explore the city and give both yourself and your loved one’s new experiences. Destination Florence has many ideas for you: