The olives have been are harvested, the vineyards are resting, and the towns around Chianti are getting ready for some Christmas excitement. December in the Chianti means a magical atmosphere. Twinkling lights illuminate the stone streets. Cosy trattorie offer up earthy winter dishes. And of course, it’s the perfect moment to savour one of the region’s famous red wines, or even a festive glass of the sweet Vinsanto wine.
LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 2024
Christmas in the Chianti | What to expect
Every little town and village around the Chianti region starts dressing up for Christmas around the end of November. The lights are up, shop windows are dressed in their festive best, and everywhere you go the atmosphere has a touch of magic. A big Christmas tree is put up in every towns’ main square and lit around the 8th of December, which is a bank holiday in Italy, and the official start of the Christmas season.
Presepi
The real Italian tradition lies in the presepi. These are nativity scenes created by passionate artisans and local churches, who vie every year to build the most eye-catching and evocative scene they can. Practically every church, even the smallest parish church, has a nativity scene and some are truly inspiring creations.
If you’re around the Chianti for Christmas pay a visit to the Propositura Church in Piazza Cavour in San Casciano Val di Pesa, where they always put on an impressive nativity scene. Or the suggestive church of Decimo just outside the town’s centre in the midst of the olive groves. This same church in Decimo hosts a live nativity scene on 26th December and 6th January from 4pm. Visit also the Church of Santa Maria in Argiano, in a lovely location outside the centre, with a beautiful Christmas-themed wall painting done by local artists.
San Donato in Poggio, at Palazzo Malaspina, hosts Presepi in Mostra, an exposition dedicated to nativity scenes.
Did you know? The very first presepe was made by nonetheless than Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223. According to the Leienda Maior, his ‘official’ agiography, Saint Francis choose Greccio, a small hamlet near Rieti for his representation. This nativity scene prepared by Saint Francis in a cave was very simple. Only a manger, some hay, the donkey and the ox.
(Bonaventura, Legenda maior, XX.)
«The friars gather, the population comes running; the forest resounds with voices, and that venerable night becomes resplendent with lights, solemn and sonorous with harmonious lauds. The man of God [Francis] stood in front of the manger, full of pity, bathed in tears, overflowing with joy. The solemn rite of mass is celebrated above the manger and Francis sings the Holy Gospel. Then he preaches to the people around him and talks about the birth of the poor king whom he […] calls “the child of Bethlehem”.
Events for Christmas around the Chianti in 2024
During the month of December and the Christmas holidays (schools in Italy are closed from 23rd December to 6th January) every town organises concerts, and markets where you’ll find traditional products and artisans selling their creations. Needless to say you’re bound to find plenty of delicious treats on offer.
On the 14th December 2024 around the streets of Panzano there’s a Christmas Market with plenty of food stalls. While you’re at it, check out the famed Macelleria Cecchini and its attached restaurant. The butcher-poet Dario Cecchini became famous for an ode dedicated to the bistecca alla fiorentina and now he’s a real institution!
Greve in Chianti has a Christmas market in the main square Piazza Matteotti, with local artisans and plenty of food – this year on 8th December 2024.
Radda in Chianti and San Casciano Val di Pesa (every weekend from 7th December 2024) also hosts markets and musical events during the Christmas holidays.
=> Best Towns in the Chianti to Visit
The Ceppo natalizio | Celebrating the Winter Solstice with an Ancient Tradition
In some country churches around Tuscany the tradition of the ‘ceppo di Natale‘, or yule log – common to many countries in Europe – is still alive today. At Decimo, outside San Casciano Val di Pesa, during the Midnight Mass on the 24th December, the yule log is still lit outside the church.
Traditionally the log was taken by the base of the tree, near the roots. It symbolises strength, hope, and connects earth and sky, representing their unity. It was brought home on Christmas Eve, when it was blessed, and spread with wine or fat before being lit, and became a host in the house for those magical weeks leading to new year.
The log is supposed to burn in the fireplace until Boxing Day, or even until Epiphany, 6th of January. A praise to nature for all its gifts. Fire is still today at the core of many traditions around Tuscany, like the bonfire festival in Abbadia San Salvatore on the Monte Amiata or the torchlight procession in Monteriggioni near Siena. Ancient pagan solstice celebrations that are still very much alive today.
Special places to visit in the Chianti – Trip ideas
One of our favourite spots in the Chianti is the hamlet of Badia a Passignano. Atmospheric at every time of year, around the festivities it really becomes a gem, immersed in serene sleeping vineyards, fog rising in early morning, it looks almost unreal.
We also love Volpaia, a picturesque Medieval hamlet near Radda in Chianti.
For some active holidays, hike the Via Romea or climb the Monte San Michele, the tallest peak in the Chianti.
Top 10 Towns in the Chianti to Visit
=> Check out January in Florence: best events and things to do, and all the reasons to visit Tuscany in January.
FOOD – What’s on the Menu at Christmas?
Some of the unmissable classic dishes for Christmas in the Chianti are the crostini di fegatini, chicken liver pate crostini, the must-have starter on Christmas day. They get dipped in hot broth or hot milk on one side to make them softer and then spread with the paté. Cappone broth with tortellini or cappelletti, different roasted meat, including game. Cantucci with Vinsanto sweet wine, and of course the traditional biscuits ricciarelli and anise-flavoured cavallucci from Siena, with recipes dating back centuries.
And of course, while you’re visiting one of Italy’s most prised wine regions, check out the top Wine Experiences in the Chianti!
