Florence at Christmas: The Definitive Guide to 2025–26

Florence is getting ready for a very busy festive season. From Saturday 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, the city will host “Florence Lights Up”, a packed programme of light shows, Christmas trees, markets, concerts and activities for families in all five districts, not only in the historic centre.

The highlights include videomapping on some of Florence’s most famous monuments, more than 50 Christmas trees, decorative lighting in over 70 streets and squares, special openings and workshops in the civic museums and a long calendar of markets and neighbourhood events.

6 December: the day the city lights up

The Christmas season officially starts on Saturday 6 December with the lighting of the main Christmas trees:

Palazzo Vecchio – tree in the Cortile della Dogana Piazza del Duomo Piazza della Repubblica Piazza San Firenze Piazzale Michelangelo

The trees in Piazza Duomo, Piazza della Repubblica and Piazzale Michelangelo are donated by the Comunità di Valle Valsugana e Tesino in Trentino, continuing a long-standing link between the two territories. The tree in the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio is offered by Stilli Solutions, while the tree at Santa Maria Novella station is sponsored by Socota.

In total, more than 50 Christmas trees will be placed around Florence, bringing a festive atmosphere to all districts.

Florence Lights Up: videomapping and light scenes

From 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, the “Florence Lights Up” project will transform the city into a large open-air light gallery.

The programme is coordinated by the City of Florence (Economic Development and Tourism Department) and Fondazione MUS.E, with funding from the Italian Ministry of Tourism (UNESCO and Creative Cities Fund), the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Chamber of Commerce and private partners such as Lego and Montblanc.

Main videomapping sites

Ponte Vecchio – a new video projection will once again turn the bridge into a moving light painting during the festive season. Palazzo Vecchio – the façade will host a videomapping inspired by Florentine craftsmanship and the city’s artistic tradition. Church of San Paolino – another historic façade involved in the light show.

Light projections and special lighting schemes will also appear in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, Piazza San Lorenzo, The façade of the Chamber of Commerce, The courtyard and monumental entrance of Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

Lights in the districts

Christmas illuminations are not limited to the UNESCO area. Decorative lights will be switched on in many neighbourhood hubs, for example:

District 2 – Piazza delle Cure

District 3 – Piazza Acciaiuoli in Galluzzo and Piazza Elia Dalla Costa in Gavinana

District 4 – Piazza dell’Isolotto and Piazza Pier Vettori

District 5 – Piazza Dalmazia and the park of San Donato

The municipal company Firenze Smart is responsible for most of the public installations. This year it has set up: 65 trees in the districts 51 trees and 430 decorative elements on lampposts connected to the public lighting network.

For the festive period, a special light scene will also highlight: The historic city gates The Loggiato degli Innocenti, The loggia of San Paolo by the Museo Novecento

Firenze Smart has also completed the permanent lighting of Ponte Santa Trinita, using LED technology with adjustable intensity and colour, managed remotely.

Christmas in the museums: visits, workshops and a Winter Camp

A large part of the programme is dedicated to culture, particularly through the Musei Civici Fiorentini and Fondazione MUS.E, with guided tours, family activities and music.

Archaeology under Palazzo Vecchio

Every Saturday and Sunday at 12:00 and 12:45, visitors can join guided tours of the archaeological excavations under Palazzo Vecchio. The itinerary explores the Roman theatre of Florentia and the medieval layers below the current building.

Themed routes in Palazzo Vecchio

In Palazzo Vecchio, several activities connect the palace to the traditions of the Medici family during Christmas and New Year:

“Squisita scoperta. Il Granducato di Toscana e la via del cioccolato” Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at 15:00 A route through the history of chocolate at the Medici court, including a sweet tasting offered by the historic café Rivoire. “Danze a corte” 20 December and 4 January Sessions at 15:00 for families and at 16:30 for adults Participants learn Renaissance dances with a master and assistant in period costume. “Invito alla reggia” – 2 January, 15:00 A visit in the company of a performer playing Eleonora di Toledo, introducing visitors to court life.

Throughout the festive period, the activity “Corte in festa” will show how the Medici family celebrated the Nativity and the arrival of the new year. For younger children, storytelling sessions will bring to life characters and symbols of the city, such as:

“Per fare una città ci vuole un fiore” “La favola della tartaruga con la vela” “Marzocco. Il leone di Firenze”

Santa Maria Novella and the Nativity

In the monumental complex of Santa Maria Novella, MUS.E will offer itineraries focused on the representation of Christmas in medieval and Renaissance art: “Capolavori natalizi” – guided tours that follow Nativity scenes, the Adoration of the Magi and other festive subjects in the cloisters and church. “Colori di luce” – a workshop for families inspired by the basilica’s stained-glass windows, including the rose window attributed to Andrea di Bonaiuto and the triple window of the main chapel designed by Domenico Ghirlandaio.

Other museums and contemporary exhibitions

Special Christmas activities and workshops are also planned in: Cappella Brancacci in Santa Maria del Carmine, Museo Stefano Bardini, Museo Novecento, MAD Murate Art District.

The programme includes guided tours and artistic workshops linked to current exhibitions, from historical painting to contemporary art and photography.

Winter Camp at Palazzo Vecchio

For children living in Florence or nearby, MUS.E will run a Winter Camp in Palazzo Vecchio on 29, 30 and 31 December, from 8:30 to 16:30, with an English mother-tongue educator. The camp combines art, history and creative activities inside the former Medici palace.

Information and bookings for all MUS.E activities: musefirenze.it Email: [email protected] Phone: 055 054 1450.

Music in the museums

Thanks to partnerships with local music institutions, several concerts will take place inside the civic museums, usually included in the entrance ticket (with the exception of the opening event in the courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio).

Among the scheduled events:

6 December – Palazzo Vecchio, Cortile della Dogana Afternoon performance during the tree-lighting ceremony, with piano, voice and other musicians.

7 December – Museo Stefano Bardini Morning concert by a viola ensemble from the Conservatorio Cherubini.

14 December – Museo Novecento Morning concert with guitar ensembles performing pieces from modern and contemporary composers.

21 December – Santa Maria del Carmine (Cenacolo) Saxophone quartet from the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, with a programme that crosses different styles and periods.

26 December – Santa Maria Novella Accordion duo playing Baroque and modern repertoire.

28 December – Palazzo Vecchio Afternoon “sound journey” with musicians from the orchestra La Filharmonie performing in various rooms of the museum, with works by Maurice Ravel and contemporaries such as Debussy.

4 January – Museo Stefano Bardini String duo (violin and viola) with music by Bach, Leclair, Mozart, Bartók and others.

6 January – Santa Maria Novella Wind quintet “Solisti Fiorentini” with a classical and 20th-century programme.

The little train in the Cascine park

One of the most popular family attractions returns to the Parco delle Cascine: the Christmas train.

Children from 3 to 10 years old can board a small tourist train departing from the beginning of Viale Abramo Lincoln. The route includes stops and short activities to discover the history and nature of Florence’s largest urban park.

Scheduled days (all with departures at 15:00, 16:00 and 17:00): Saturday 13, Saturday 20, Tuesday 24, Friday 26, Saturday 27 and Monday 29 December, Friday 2, Saturday 3, Sunday 4 and Monday 5 January

Participation is free, but booking is required.

Markets, ice rink and neighbourhood initiatives

Christmas in Florence also means markets, food, crafts and neighbourhood events, many organised by Centri Commerciali Naturali (local traders’ associations) with the support of the City.

Florence Ice Village at the Fortezza

At the Fortezza da Basso, the Florence Ice Village offers: The Florence Eye Ferris wheel (55 metres high, in place until 30 March 2026) One of the longest ice-skating tracks in Europe (open until 31 January 2026) A Christmas village with stalls and entertainment.

On several dates in December, Confartigianato’s entertainment section will provide music and shows for adults and children.

Major Christmas markets

Among the main markets and fairs:

German Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce – until 21 December Artefacendo – craft fair in Piazza dei Ciompi (6–7 December) ARTour – Il bello in piazza – artisan market in Piazza Strozzi (12–14 December) ARTour del Gusto Toscano – food and wine artisans in Piazza Strozzi (19–22 December) ChristmasArs – Il Natale di Ars Manualis in Piazza Santa Maria Novella (18 December–7 January), with 18 wooden chalets hosting Florentine and Tuscan craftspeople Christmas programme at Manifattura Tabacchi – free events throughout December, with the official lighting of the Manifattura Christmas tree and a full calendar of workshops and shows for families.

In addition, almost every weekend will feature smaller markets, vintage fairs and antiques stalls in squares including Piazza dei Ciompi, Piazza Santo Spirito, Piazza Indipendenza, Piazza Savonarola, Piazza San Marco, Campo di Marte and others.

Lights and events from traders’ associations

Many streets and squares will have Christmas lights and side events funded in part by the city and in part by local businesses. Among the most active areas:

Borgo Ognissanti and Via Palazzuolo Piazza Dalmazia and the surrounding streets Borgo La Croce and Via Pietrapiana Viale Europa Via Gioberti and “Le Cento Botteghe” Ponte Vecchio and the surrounding streets Via Cavour, Via Manni, Piazza delle Cure, Piazza dell’Isolotto Borgo di Peretola, Via Guelfa, Via del Corso, Via dei Serragli, Sdrucciolo de’ Pitti and many others

Some of these Centri Commerciali Naturali will also organise non-commercial events such as street performances, children’s activities and small neighbourhood parties, particularly on Sundays and public holidays.

Farmers’ markets

For those who prefer local food shopping, several farmers’ markets will continue during the festive period, for example: Piazza Tasso – “Contadini in Piazza” on Friday afternoons Largo Adone Zoli – “La Spesa in Campagna” on Fridays Piazzale delle Cascine – “Mercato Campagna Amica” on Saturdays Piazza Leon Battisti Alberti – “La Spesa in Campagna” on Saturdays Piazza della Piccola – “Mercato Campagna Amica” on Tuesdays Piazza Elia Dalla Costa – “Contadini in Piazza” on Monday afternoons.

Practical information

Period

Main Christmas lights and “Florence Lights Up”: 6 December 2025 – 6 January 2026 Some attractions, such as the Ferris wheel, will remain active beyond Epiphany (check dates locally).

Where to find details and updates

Cultural programme and activities in the civic museums: musefirenze.it Bookings for MUS.E activities: [email protected], 055 054 1450 Neighbourhood markets and shopping events: look for posters and information from the Centri Commerciali Naturali in each area.

For residents and visitors, the 2025–2026 festive season in Florence will be spread across the whole urban area: from the monumental squares of the historic centre to the neighbourhood streets, from museums to parks, with many opportunities to experience the city in a different light.

(Cover photo by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)

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