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: November 2025
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 2025 and 7th January 2026.
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 15th November and lasts until 21st December 2025 (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 7th and 8th of December 2025 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 21st December 2025, 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 2025 – Top Art Exhibitions in Florence
This year, from September to 25th Janaury 2026, Palazzo Strozzi hosts a great expo dedicated to the great Renaissance Master Beat Angelico, ‘painter of angels’. It’s an occasion to get to know this great artist who contributed to the Renaissance in Florence, mixing mysticism and modernity. The exhibit include the gorgeous San Marco Museum, the convent which was frescoed by friar Beato Angelico.
The Innocenti Museum in Piazza SS. Annunziata hosts a great exhibit dedicated to Toulouse Lautrec (until 22nd February 2026). A journey into Paris of the Belle Époque. Iconic painter, illustrator and graphic innovator, Lautrec captured the nightlife and bohemian spirit of late 19th century Montmartre, Paris. Take the opportunity to visit the intriguing Innocenti Museum, that reveals a side of Florentine history that not many know.
The handsome Palazzo Medici Riccardi, the first residence of the Medici family hosts an exhibit dedicated to Italian 20th century artist Clemen Parrocchetti, who explored the world of femininity and patriarchal culture (2nd October 2025 – 26th January 2026).
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! => This year the Florence Panoramic Wheel is open from 28th November 2025 until 31st March 2026 – it’s 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.
Fortezza da Basso also hosts the Ice Village, with a great skating ring (from 28th November 2025 to 31st January 2026). 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.
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! 🙂
