What to do in Florence at Christmas 2025 and when the tree in the square lights up

In December, the glow of Renaissance palaces softly blends with the sparkle of festive lights. In Florence, the chill is gentle, and the historic streets are filled with the scent of roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and freshly polished leather. Between Nordic-style markets, art, light festivals and age-old traditions, the city reveals a more intimate and dazzling side of itself.

Christmas becomes the perfect opportunity to experience it slowly: pausing for a masterpiece in a gallery, warming up with a steaming mug in Piazza Santa Croce, or taking an evening stroll beneath the illuminations along the Arno. Here is a look at the events planned for a sparkling Florentine Christmas 2025.

What to do at Christmas in Florence

An elegant balance of liturgy, art and street life. The Florentine Christmas tradition renews itself with familiar rituals, such as:

• masses and concerts in historic churches, from the Duomo to Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella, which accompany the festive season with choirs, organs and musical events, bringing together residents and visitors;
• artistic nativity scenes in cathedrals, basilicas and cloisters: still a widespread tradition, often featuring contemporary displays alongside traditional scenes;
• Florentine sweets and crafts: in markets and artisan workshops, typical Tuscan festive treats (panforte, ricciarelli, cavallucci) and the Christmas log are rediscovered, along with handmade leather goods, Florentine paper, ceramics and other artisanal objects;
• evening strolls at sunset through Via Tornabuoni, Via Calzaiuoli, Piazza della Repubblica and along the lungarni, following the glow of the Christmas lights.

Christmas events 2025 in Florence: the updated calendar

The programme will continue to be updated throughout the autumn. Among the events already scheduled:

• Weihnachtsmarkt in Piazza Santa Croce: the Northern European-style Christmas market returns among the Gothic silhouettes of Santa Croce. From 15 November to 21 December 2025, more than 50 wooden chalets will offer artisan crafts, decorations, German and international specialities, a food area, live music and a dedicated space for children’s letters to Father Christmas;
• “Nataleperfile” Market at Palazzo Corsini: organised to raise funds in support of care for seriously ill patients in the region (Italian Foundation of Leniterapia). The 22nd edition will take place from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 December 2025, with free admission from Lungarno Corsini, number 8;
• Florence Lights Up: from 7 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, the F-Light Festival will illuminate the city with artistic installations and video mapping performances on Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and various iconic locations across the city.

For the rest of the calendar (ice rinks, Christmas villages, Ferris wheel, music programmes, festive guided tours, family shows), as of November 2025 many events are still being finalised. Based on previous editions, it is expected to include:

• one or more ice skating rinks and small Christmas villages in areas such as the Cascine or historic fortresses;
• Christmas and New Year concerts in historic theatres and basilicas;
• children’s activities including creative workshops, meetings with Father Christmas, storytelling sessions and themed animations in museums.

Christmas in Florence: when and where the tree is lit in the square

The symbolic heart of the festive season in Florence is Piazza del Duomo, where each year the large Christmas tree is installed beside the Baptistery, alongside the nativity scene at the foot of Santa Maria del Fiore. In recent years, the lighting ceremony has taken place around 8 December, featuring a public event with carols, music and light displays coordinated with the decorations across the historic centre. The 2025 edition is also expected to follow the same dates and format.

Florence to discover at Christmas: what to see

The Christmas tree in Piazza del Duomo is not only a perfect photo backdrop, but also the ideal starting point for a festive stroll through the city’s historic heart. From here, the itinerary can lead through Via dei Calzaiuoli, Piazza della Signoria and on to the illuminated Ponte Vecchio, where Florence’s artistic heritage naturally turns into a spectacular Christmas stage.

Unmissable stops include:

• the Duomo complex, comprising the Cathedral, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery;
• Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery, which often hosts special openings during the holiday season;
• Ponte Vecchio and the River Arno at sunset, where the festive lights are reflected in the water;
• the artisan quarter of the Oltrarno (Santo Spirito and San Niccolò), ideal for finding unique gifts such as jewellery, leather goods, paper, engravings and handcrafted Tuscan pieces
• and, on clear December days, the Boboli and Bardini Gardens, from which the city can be admired from above.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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