There’s nothing quite like Florence in December. The festivities start a bit earlier due to tourism than they usually would—typically around the beginning of November. December through January is when the holiday cheer is in full gear. The Christmas tree goes up outside of the duomo, twinkling lights are hung above the narrow streets, and the scent of the season drifts through the air (yes, including roasted chestnuts). You start swapping your morning cappuccino for Caffè Gilli’s hot chocolate, and evening walks become an excuse to wander with a warm cup in hand while admiring the lights with friends. Florence takes on a new, almost storybook feel. It’s the kind of atmosphere that pulls you in without trying, and at the center of it all are the Christmas markets!
The Florence Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce
The Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) has been part of Florence’s holiday season for over twenty years. Inspired by the classic German Weihnachtsmarkt, it fills the entire piazza with more than fifty wooden stalls, all arranged in front of the Santa Croce Basilica.
Christmas Market Shopping and Gifts
Vendors come from all over Europe, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and, of course, Italy, bringing a huge mix of different types of gifts perfect for the holiday season. You can find everything from hand-painted ceramics and carved ornaments to wool scarves, candles, incense burner houses, jewelry, soaps, sweets, spices, and the classic traditional Christmas decorations to take home. If you’re like me and have been a bit behind on your Christmas shopping, it’s one of the easiest places to shop for presents because the variety is so wide. I ended up finding things for my family and friends that I would’ve expected to see in Florence, including English tea blends and small handmade items perfect for stocking stuffers!
Christmas Market Food
The food is a major part of the experience (my favorite part). The smell hits you before you even reach the square: bratwurst sizzling, waffles warming, gingerbread, churros, stollen, pretzels, chocolate, mulled wine brewing in the cold air. Every visit turns into an accidental feast. One of my favorite things to get was the Budapest chimney cakes with Nutella—warm, soft, coated in sugar, ideal to split with friends as you walk around. And you can’t pass up the traditional German-style platter of Schweinshaxe with potatoes and sauerkraut, served at prices that would be unthinkable anywhere outside the markets. The market is only a 20-minute walk from the San Gallo campus, which means in these last busy weeks of the semester, it’s the perfect spot to grab a big plate of food between classes or meet up after a long day to grab a sweet treat! It becomes one of those places you keep drifting back to without even planning it.
Dates: November 15–December 21, 2025
Location: Piazza Santa Croce
Time: Every day 10 am-11 pm
Other Christmas Events in Florence
Florence has plenty to do beyond Santa Croce. The rest of the city fills up with smaller markets and winter traditions for everyone.
Fierucola dell’Immacolata
This market focuses on organic, locally made products. Expect honey, oils, crafts, preserves, natural cosmetics, and handmade gifts.
Dates: Sunday, December 7th and Monday, December 8th, 2025 (from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm)
Location: Piazza SS. Annunziata
Christmas Tree Lighting
The main Christmas tree in front of the cathedral is lit at the start of the season. Crowds gather, music plays, and the city’s nativity scene is unveiled.
Date: December 8th
Location: Piazza del Duomo
Time: 6:00 PM
Cavalcade of the Magi
A historical re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings, featuring participants in costumes.
Date: January 6th (annually)
Time: Starts in the afternoon, typically around 2:15 PM
Route: The procession moves through the city center, crossing the Ponte Vecchio and passing through Piazza della Signoria before finishing at Piazza del Duomo.
Florence Lights UP
A series of light installations and projections displayed on Florence’s monuments and historic buildings. It completely changes the look of the city at night.
Dates: The festival starts around December 8th and ends around January 7th
Locations: Light installations are featured in many parts of Florence, from the historic center to the outskirts, including the Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, and Piazzale Michelangelo.
Florence Eye
The Florence Eye is a Ferris wheel at Parco delle Cascine, with a wide panoramic view of Florence. There’s also a small seasonal village with food, lights, and festive attractions.
Dates: November 28, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Location: Piazzale Oriana Fallaci, Fortezza da Basso
Written by Fall 2025 Communications Intern, Lydia Behler