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 8th, 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 7 to January 7, Florence shines brightly with Florence Lights Up, a dazzling experience that makes the holiday season truly enchanting.
The Ponte Vecchio transforms into a luminous canvas through video mapping, while Palazzo Vecchio and the Church of San Paolino will host artistic projections highlighting the themes and values of the #EnjoyRespectFirenze campaign. In Piazza Santa Maria Novella, lights and installations create a captivating atmosphere, and the Medici Garden at Palazzo Medici Riccardi comes alive with glowing displays among trees and statues, featuring a special Christmas tree.
The illuminations extend beyond Florence’s historic center to its four districts:
- In District 2, Piazza delle Cure will shine with lights.
- In District 3, Piazza Acciaiuoli in Galluzzo will feature a stunning 10-meter-tall tree.
- In District 4, Piazza dell’Isolotto will be illuminated with festive decor.
- In District 5, a glowing star will adorn Piazza Dalmazia, with additional lights illuminating San Donato Park.
To celebrate the holiday season, the Museo Novecento has invited the artistic duo Angela Detanico and Rafael Lain to present Flowering of Light, a grand video installation curated by Sergio Risaliti. Hosted in the Sala d’Arme of Palazzo Vecchio, the exhibit will open to the public from Sunday, December 8, 2024, to Wednesday, January 8, 2025, made possible with the support of Gucci.
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 22nd, you can learn more about them here.
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 at the theater! This year on Christmas Eve the Orchestra della Toscana will present their Christmas Concert at Teatro Verdi. And on January 2nd, don’t miss The Nutcracker – tickets are available online at the Teatro Verdi ticket office or at Ticketone.it.
The Mascarade Opera Foundation presents its own Christmas Concert at the Church of Ognissanti on December 12th, as does the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, on December 21st.
On December 29th and 30th, A Christmas Carol will be performed at Teatro Cartiere Carrara. Follow Ebenezer Scrooge through his adventure through tales of Christmases past, present, and future!
