Florence’s holiday season is on. Here is all you need to know!
Chilly wind, people with scarves and gloves, hot chocolate cravings and beautiful lights decorating the city can only mean one thing… The Christmas season has officially arrived in Florence! And we are going to tell you all about how to enjoy it.
Florence Christmas trees
The Christmas Trees will be among the enchanting illuminations in the Tuscan capital. Following their ceremonial lighting on December 6h, you can enjoy their festive glow throughout the city. The main tree will be in Piazza del Duomo, and others traditionally illuminate locations such as Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Repubblcia and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Florence Lights Up
From December 6 to January 6, Florence shines brightly with Florence Lights Up, a dazzling experience that makes the holiday season truly enchanting.
The Ponte Vecchio turns into a luminous canvas through video mapping, and the same goes for the façades of Palazzo Vecchio and the Church of San Paolino. Lights will also illuminate Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Piazza San Lorenzo, the façade of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the courtyard and monumental entrance of Palazzo Medici Riccardi.
The festive lights won’t be limited to Florence’s historic center: throughout the holiday season they will also illuminate the city’s four other districts. In District 2, lighting is planned for Piazza delle Cure; in District 3, Piazza Acciaiuoli in Galluzzo and Piazza Elia Dalla Costa in Gavinana will take center stage. Piazza dell’Isolotto in District 4 will also be lit up, along with Piazza Pier Vettori. Finally, in District 5 a star will appear in Piazza Dalmazia, as well as festive lighting in Parco di San Donato.
As every year, Firenze Smart has handled the Christmas installations in many of the city’s squares and streets: 65 trees have been set up across the districts, along with 51 trees and 430 light displays on lampposts connected to the public lighting network. For the Christmas period—from 6 December to 6 January—a dedicated lighting design will be activated: dynamic colored lighting will illuminate the historic city gates, the Loggiato degli Innocenti, and the loggia of San Paolo at the Museo del Novecento. The company also oversaw the permanent lighting of Ponte Santa Trinita.
Festive lights
If there is one thing that creates the magical atmosphere in the city, it’s got to be the Christmas lights. They are hung-up all-over Florence, in different shapes, sizes and colors. Via Gioberti, the traditional shopping street in the city center, lights up with a myriad of sparkling lights, as does Via Tornabuoni. Additional illuminations adorn Via degli Strozzi and Via dei Pescioni, ensuring the same festive sparkle in Florence’s golden luxury shopping district.
Christmas markets
A must in the holidays is to go search for the perfect present or to have the most delicious treat at the incredible Christmas Markets. With wooden cottages that serve as stands offering a great variety of delicacies, baked goods, ornaments, and clothing from all over, you cannot miss out on this activity. Held all throughout Florence in December, and with a permanent one in Santa Croce staying until December 21th, you can learn more about them here.
Santa’s Descent from Palazzo Vecchio (14 December)
One of Florence’s most beloved holiday traditions is back: on Sunday, 14 December (11:30), Santa Claus and his elves will dramatically abseil down the façade of Palazzo Vecchio, turning Piazza della Signoria into an open-air Christmas show. It’s a fun, family-friendly moment (and very photogenic), usually followed by greetings and sweets for kids—arrive a little early to get a good spot.
Florence Ice Village and Ferris Wheel – from 28 November to 6 January 2026
Starting on 28 November, in the gardens of Florence’s Fortezza da Basso, the most magical and exciting spot of the season returns by popular demand: the ice-skating rink! The Ice Village features the longest ice-skating rink in Italy and a huge 55-meter Ferris wheel, offering breathtaking views over the whole city.
Religious celebrations
For Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the city churches will offer mass on both occasions, even the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral will have its own celebrated by the Cardinal of Florence. The Santa Croce Cathedral will host a Christmas Eve vigil as well as Christmas Day services.
Christmas plays and Concerts
Experience the magic of Christmas in Florence at its theaters and concert halls. On Christmas Eve, the Orchestra della Toscana returns to Teatro Verdi for its annual Christmas Concert (24 December, 17:00).
For a festive ballet, Teatro Verdi hosts The Nutcracker with the Russian Classical Ballet (23 December). Families can also catch Venti Lucenti’s theatrical take on The Nutcracker, with live music by the Orchestra della Toscana (13 December).
If you love choral music, the New Generation Festival and Mascarade Opera present “Voci di Luce” at the Church of Ognissanti (free entry, voluntary donation).
At Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the traditional Christmas Concert takes place on 7 December (Sala Zubin Mehta), and the holiday season continues with “Natale in musica” on 21 December.
For a Christmas-themed show, Teatro Cartiere Carrara features holiday programming such as Hopeful Christmas (20 December).
