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 2024
December in Florence – Lights Festival
In the last few years the Green 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.
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. This year it’s on from 7th December 2024 to 5th January 2025.
⇒ 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 23rd November and lasts until 22nd December 2024 (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 2024 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 15th December 2024, 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 2024 – Contemporary Art Exhibitions
For those interested in contemporary art, Palazzo Strozzi hosts a great expo dedicated to American abstract expressionist painter Helen Frankenthaler – ‘Painting without rules’ (from September 2024 to 26th January 2025) – for more info see official site.
The Innocenti Museum in Piazza SS. Annunziata hosts a great exhibit dedicated to Impressionism, in the year of the 150th anniversary of the birth of the movement that is one of the fundamental cornerstones of art history. From 21st November 2024 to 4th May 2025. It’s the perfect 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 painter Felice Carena, who lived and worked in Florence in the first half of the 20th century (exhibit from October 2024 to 17th February 2025).
More Amazing Experiences in Florence this December
FLORENCE EYE! => This year the Panoramic Wheel in Florence will be located at Piazzale Vittorio Veneto, at the Cascine, the Park along the Arno – from December 2023 to March 2025 (exact dates to be advised). It promises incredible views, an unforgettable way to experience the city! (It’s about 30 minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio, and close to the Tram stops: Cascine or Paolo Uccello stops).
SKATING RINK => Location and dates for the Florence Christmas Village for this year 2024 are to be advised, (last year there were in the area of the Panoramic Wheel at Cascine Park).
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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