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

Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8

On the day of the Immaculate Conception, trees are put up in Florence as per Italian tradition! On December 8, the large Christmas tree is lit in the historic centre of Florence, and many lights illuminate the city. For several years, it has been hosted in the spectacular setting of Piazza del Duomo. The fir tree lighting event is an official ceremony that’s chaired by the mayor with many taking part in the occasion. Also in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is a large nativity scene with life-size terracotta statues.

Green Light Festival starts from the first week of December: it illuminates the mainly monuments of Florence during Christmas and until the first week of January.

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

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

Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce - from November 23 to December 22 2024

Until December 22 you can enjoy the unmissable Weihnachtsmarkt of Florence. The traditional German Christmas market features culinary specialties such as wurstel, sauerkraut, stinchi di maiale, pretzels and strudel, as well as bringing gifts and typical German products to the city. The much-loved market by 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.

Exhibitions

OPEN TICKET Helen Frankenthaler: Painting Without Rules - Pala ...

Buy it and go whenever you want! From September 27h 2024, the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi presents an exhibition ...

Starting from 21,00 €

Museums

Firenzecard: the official museum pass of Florence

With one card, you'll gain priority access to most of Florence’s cultural treasures with no need to make a rese ...

Starting from 85,00 €

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: