With Christmas just around the corner, what better way to soak up the magic of Natale than at one of the Christmas Markets in Tuscany?
Cities, towns and small rural hamlets take on the festive spirit and get dressed up for the occasion, with twinkling lights, joyful decorations, and plenty of stalls that sell traditional food, Christmas specialities, gift ideas and artisan crafts. This might also be the perfect occasion to see the beautiful Tuscan piazze in a very special light.
=> 12 Unique and Fun Activities to do in Tuscany
LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2024
Best Christmas Markets in Tuscany
FLORENCE
Northern Europe arrives in Florence’s historic centre with the Heidelberger Weihnachtsmarkt, with delicious treats like pretzels, strudel, mulled wine, and all sorts of Christmas decorations and candles.
The typical wooden houses fill the beautiful square of Santa Croce in Florence. With the Santa Croce Church watching over the scene, a magical atmosphere is guaranteed. From 23rd November to 22nd December 2024.
⇒ Discover the 6 Top Things to do in Florence at Christmas time and the Best Christmas Markets in Florence!
SIENA
Another handsome square, Piazza del Campo in Siena, hosts a great market on the 6ht-7th-8th December 2024. This square was already the setting of a market in the Middle Ages, and today the town offers the chance to travel back in time, recreating all the atmosphere of a Medieval market.
Over 150 stalls sell all sorts of traditional goods and local crafts, from pottery to leather but also Christmas decorations and food. Siena is the birth town of ricciarelli and panforte, two of the Italian typical Christmas treats, that are still made today following ancient recipes.
=> Ricciarelli, the Christmas almond biscuits made in Siena & where to find them.
AREZZO
Piazza Grande in Arezzo becomes the enchanting setting for a great Christmas Market, with typical products and souvenirs. The Tyrolese Village (Villaggio Tirolese) is open from 16th November to 29th December 2024 – with the following timetable: from Thursday to Sunday until 19th December, and then every day until 29th Dec – from 10am to 9pm.
34 typical mountain huts make a Tyrolean-themed market, selling a variety of traditional decorations, plus beers, wooden crafts and food. Many events, including a video-mapping show that will colour the beautiful Piazza Grande and paint the Medieval buildings with multicoloured lights – a real spectacle. The house of Father Christmas welcomes kids for letters and workshops.
=> Discover 10 Unmissable Things to do in Arezzo and 5 Magical Places to Visit in Tuscany at Christmas!
=> In the small town Chiusi della Verna, near Arezzo, you’ll also find a Christmas Market every Sunday throughout December.
MONTEPULCIANO
The main square of Montepulciano hosts a wonderful market with 80 wooden stalls selling local artefacts and gastronomic goodness. Piazza Grande is decorated with a great Christmas tree and there’s a Father Christmas Castle too, perfect for the little ones.
In this town famous for its Vino Nobile a special space is reserved for wine: the ‘Christmas terrace’ is the place to taste local wine and food. You’ll also find plenty of nativity scenes too.
When? Every weekend from 16th November to 15th December 2024 – then from 20th December 2024 to 6th January 2025 open every day from 10:30am to 7:30pm, except on Christmas Day, when the market will be open only in the afternoon – more info on the official site.
CORTONA
Every year Cortona gets involved in the festivities and hosts markets in Piazza Garibaldi and Piazza Signorelli, with local delicacies, decorations and gift ideas. The streets of this iconic hilltop town are enchanting at his time of year, with plenty of events and entertainment for kids, including Father Christmas’s house near the Church of Santa Margherita.
=> Discover our favourite things to do in Cortona.
PALAZZUOLO SUL SENIO, MUGELLO
On Sundays during the month of December the small town of Palazzuolo sul Senio in the mountainous Mugello area, organises atmospheric Christmas Markets, with local food and gift ideas. This town is famous for its presepi, or nativity scenes, that will dot its historic centre until 6th of January.
CHIANTI REGION
Many towns in the Chianti region organise Christmas-themed events: in Panzano exhibitions of nativity scenes, markets, nativity scenes and concerts in San Casciano Val di Pesa, Greve in Chianti => Check out the Best Events and Traditions around the Chianti region during the Christmas holidays.
=> Check out our Driving itinerary to see the best of the Chianti region!
CHIANCIANO TERME
The spa town of Chianciano Terme in southern Tuscany every year becomes the setting for a fairy tale-like “Paese di Babbo Natale”, inspired by Father Christmas’s land, set in the beautiful park Parco Acqua Santa (famous for its thermal waters) every weekend starting from mid-November to 6th January. (dates for 2024 TBA).
=> More ideas for le feste? Discover the Best things to do at Christmas in Tuscany!
Author: Sabrina Nesi, founder of Lovefromtuscany.com, passionate about sharing the beauty of Tuscany and Italy with the world.
Disclaimer: some links to tours and services on this site will earn us affiliate commission, at no extra cost to you. The small commission we earn help us keeping the site going, thanks for reading! 🙂
