Florence always puts on a radiant show in December. From the Christmas atmosphere on the streets, to the glittering shop windows and sparkling decorations around the city centre. But there’s much more than just twinkly christmas lights to enjoy. During the month of December a very special show illuminates Florence’s landmarks, and the Christmas market will bring a festive air to Piazza S. Croce.
December in Florence is about lights, festivity, music and art. It’s a time when you see the city as you never have before; beautifully illuminated and buzzing with the magic of Christmas. The great show starts on the 8th of December, when the gigantic Christmas tree is lit in Piazza del Duomo.
LAST UPDATED: October 2026
December in Florence – Lights Festival
In the last few years the Light Festival has illuminated Florence’s city centre. Ancient architecture meets contemporary visual expression during a month-long festival that every year shows Florence in a different light.
This year is on between 7th December 2026 and 7th January 2027.
Landmarks like the Ponte Vecchio, Santo Spirito Church, and the Porcellino Loggia become the unlikely settings for video mapping, light projections and various visual trickery. Illuminated images appear as if by magic on the Medieval silhouette of the Old Bridge. The river Arno is flooded with colours, and the ancient facades of the churches come alive with lights, brilliant colours and shapes.
⇒ Planning a trip to Florence? Check out all of Florence’s unmissable sights!
⇒ See the most Beautiful Churches to visit in Florence.
Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce
Every December the fabulous Santa Croce square hosts a lively Christmas Market, with stalls selling various art crafts, candles, sweets and Christmas themed decorations from Italy and abroad. This year it starts on the 14th November and lasts until 20th December 2026 (10am-10pm).
This is a more traditional event, inspired by country values. Hosting a traditional market, it will be held in Piazza S.S. Annunziata on the 8th of December 2026 for the occasion of the Immacolata feast known as “Fierucola”. Among other things there promises to be delicious organic food and handmade art-crafts.
Piazza Ognissanti hosts the Christmas Fierucola (little fair) on 20th December 2026, with local artisans selling their creations.
Feeling the festive atmosphere? Find out why Tuscany is truly special at Christmas, including the best places to visit and delicious sweet treats!
Explore Florence with a local guide with this Fascinating Florence Walking Tour: learn about Florence’s Medieval and Renaissance eras, hear all the fascinating stories behind the historic attractions, visit the city’s magnificent squares!
December 2026 – Top Art Exhibitions in Florence
FLORENCE, ‘Broken, the Power of the Fragment’, Palazzo Strozzi – 25th September 2026 – 24th January 2027
Exploring the evocative power of the fragment in art history. In collaboration with the National Gallery of Art in Washington, the exhibition brings together artworks from Ancient Egypt to Michelangelo, from Classical Greece to contemporary artists. See more on Palazzo Strozzi official site.
FLORENCE, Artemisia Gentileschi, Innocenti Museum | 21st October 2026 – 4th April 2027
Delve into the world of Artemisia Gentileschi. She worked for the Medici family in Florence, lived in kings’ courts, and was at the center of the cultural life of the time, following Caravaggio’s lesson but introducing her creative originality, taking her rightful place among the great masters of art history. Take this opportunity to visit the unique (and out-of-the-way!) Innocenti Museum!
Up for a sweet treat? Try a luscious hot chocolate at Rivoire in Piazza Signoria. Other hot spots for chocolate lovers are: the Cioccolateria Hemingway in Piazza Piattellina in the heart of the groovy San Frediano neighbourhood, L’Arte del Cioccolato near the Duomo in Piazza Santa Elisabetta, and the liberty-style Gilli in via Roma 1/red, a few steps from the Duomo.
More Amazing Experiences in Florence this December
FLORENCE EYE! => Florence Panoramic Wheel changed its locations, you find it now in Piazzale Oriana Fallaci, near the Fortezza da Basso (15 minute walk from Santa Maria Novella train station). See the official site for more info and tickets.
Florence Eye website has info about the Ice Village, also hosted at the Fortezza da Basso, with a great skating ring (usually from end of November to January, but for 2026-2027 dates have not been confirmed at time of writing). Open every day from 10am to Midnight.
WHERE: piazzale Oriana Fallaci, gardens of Fortezza da Basso – Tram stops: T1 Strozzi Fallaci, T2 Lavagnini Fortezza (more info on their Instagram page).
If you’re travelling to Italy this season, discover all the reasons why you’ll love Tuscany in Winter!
⇒ 6 Top things to do in Florence at Christmastime.
=> December in Tuscany: best events & Weather
=> Top 10 Art Museums to visit in Florence
Weather in December in Florence
Temperatures vary from 3/4 degrees Celsius (27 F) to a max of 10/12 (50/53F) degrees. It can be a wet month, averaging 9 days of rain.
Florence is usually less cold, while out in the countryside temperatures feel colder (especially at night).
Suns rises at 7:30am – Sunset 16:40pm
=> School Holidays in Italy start on 23rd December and run up until 6th January, so expect many Italian tourists during these two weeks.
=> 5 Magical Places to Visit in Tuscany at Christmas
Author: Sabrina Nesi, founder of Lovefromtuscany.com, passionate about sharing the beauty of Tuscany and Italy with the world.
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