What to Do in Florence in December 2025: Christmas Markets, Exhibitions, Events and Much More

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and our cities are filled with a joyful, vibrant atmosphere. Twinkling lights, decorated trees, glittering shop windows, the scent of roasted chestnuts, and the crisp winter air lead us straight into the Christmas season. But before December 25th arrives, there are countless events, both large and small, taking place all over Italy.

If you’re in Tuscany and want to experience the festive spirit to the fullest, you’ll find plenty of opportunities. Here’s what to do in Florence in December 2025 - from exhibitions and concerts to food festivals, shows, and all kinds of events.

What better time than Christmas to visit our beautiful cities? The festive cheer fills children’s eyes with wonder and enchants the hearts of adult dreamers. Everything looks different - brighter, magical and more attractive.

There's a lot to do in Italy in December before Santa Claus makes his annual visit, and Florence’s timeless elegance becomes even more refined during this season. The Cradle of Renaissance offers countless activities to delight both locals and visitors alike as they make their way toward the holiday festivities.

Along the Arno river, in the city squares and at the foot of Florence’s stunning churches, you can stroll through charming Christmas markets, enjoy dazzling light games and themed installations, and breathe in the aromas of spices and roasted chestnuts. You’ll also find special concerts, ballets and exhibitions about fashion and nature - there’s something for everyone. Read our guide to discover what to do in Florence in December 2025 and experience the true spirit of Christmas.

Let’s start with the main event of the season, the Christmas market, a must for anyone seeking unique gifts and delicious treats. Every year, wooden stalls fill the beautiful Piazza Santa Croce, one of Florence’s most iconic squares, offering a festive break from your strolls through the historic center. Local and national artisans present handcrafted goods, clothing, accessories, and all sorts of holiday-themed items. There are also sweet and savory specialties and, of course, steaming mulled wine.

From mid-November, at the foot of the Basilica, you can fully enjoy the Christmas spirit with beautiful light displays, decorated trees, and festive decorations. Children can even meet Santa Claus in his cozy wooden house. Don’t miss the traditional Christmas tree light-up on December 8th, which takes place not only in this square but in many of Florence’s most famous piazzas.

November 15 – December 21 | Piazza Santa Croce

Alongside the traditional market, Florence also hosts a Nordic Christmas Market dedicated to typical Finnish products, the homeland of Santa Clause.

Organized by the Italo-Finnish Cultural Association Firenze Suomi-Seura, this event recreates the magical winter atmosphere of Northern Europe. Visitors can browse uniquely designed items, enjoy folk music, taste traditional delicacies and breathe in the rich scent of spices. If you’re wondering what to do in Florence in December 2025, this Finnish market is a great way to experience something different.

December 2–3 | Sala dei Marmi, Parterre, Piazza della Libertà

Beyond markets, Christmas season would be incomplete without an ice-skating rink! At the Fortezza da Basso, the Florence on Ice Village offers Europe’s longest crystal ice track (300 meters) perfect for both beginners and pros, kids and adults. Just lace up your skates and glide away!

If you’d rather relax, hop on the Ferris wheel at the Florence Winter Park, which returns to the Fortezza gardens after several years. If heights don’t scare you, this is a wonderful way to enjoy breathtaking views of the city, especially with your loved one.

December – January 6 | Fortezza da Basso

Let’s complete the Christmas experience in Florence with festive lights: the city will shine in a thousand colors once again. The Green Line Festival, successor to the famed F-Light Festival, transforms the city with stunning light installations and video mapping, from sunset until midnight. As the name suggests, the topic focuses on environmental sustainability, brought to life on Florence’s most iconic monuments, from Ponte Vecchio to Santa Maria del Fiore, creating a fascinating dialogue between art and ecology.

December 2025 – January 2026 | Various locations, dates to be announced

You’re still in time to visit the must-see exhibition "Salvatore Ferragamo 1898–1960", dedicated to the brilliant “shoemaker to the stars”, Italian pride that relocated in Hollywood. 

A symbol of creativity and elegance, Ferragamo is an icon of Italian fashion style around the world who needs no introduction, a master of footwear and a reference point for the great personalities of the entertainment world. This exhibition, held in the museum bearing his name, traces his career from its beginnings and presents his works, drawings and sketches, videos and many unpublished testimonies.

You will find also many Ferragamo's timeless artworks, including the famous pumps worn by Marilyn Monroe and shoes created for Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren, among others. If you love cinema and fashion, you can’t miss it.

Until April 6, 2026 | Museo Ferragamo

Nature lovers shouldn’t miss this fascinating exhibition at La Specola Museum, dedicated to extinct bird species. From the legendary dodo to the black emu and the slender-billed curlew, the exhibition showcases over 130 reconstructed specimens that no longer exist due to deforestation, climate change, hunting, and wildlife trafficking - so, because of humans.

This is not only an opportunity to marvel at lifelike models of vanished creatures but also a powerful call to environmental awareness, a reminder for new generations to respect our planet and its animals. That’s an unmissable occasion to think about our presence on Earth and our relationship with wildlife.

Until December 14 | La Specola Museum

The most beloved Christmas tale of all time comes to life at Teatro Verdi for audiences of every age. "The Nutcracker", Tchaikovsky’s legendary ballet, will be performed by the Russian Classical Ballet, featuring top dancers from across Russia.

With the timeless melodies by Tchaikovsky and enchanting choreography, the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince and their struggle against the Mouse King comes to life in a magical performance: a Christmas classic everyone should see at least once.

December 23 | Teatro Verdi

If you love Italian music, don’t miss Giorgia in concert on December 8 at the Nelson Mandela Forum.

Part of her "Palasport Live 2025" tour, which stops at Italy’s top venues, the queen of Italian pop music closes a very successful and satisfying period, with her return to the Sanremo Festival and her experience at X-Factor. For the third concert of 2025, Giorgia comes to Florence to perform her most famous songs, but also to celebrate 30 years of her hit Come saprei and the release of her new album G.

December 8 | Nelson Mandela Forum

Let’s move outside Florence and reach a legendary place, the town of Vinci, the birthplace of the artist Leonardo. Here you can explore the Museo Leonardiano, home to models and reproductions of Leonardo’s ingenious machines, along with multimedia and interactive exhibits that bring his genius to life.

Every second Sunday of the month, families can take part in special workshops and games dedicated to children, that can learn about the artist’s masterpieces and inventions through play.

Don’t forget to wander through the charming village of Vinci and visit Leonardo’s family home.

December 14 | Leonardiano Museum, Vinci (FI)

If you’re wondering what to do in Florence in December 2025 and crave authentic local food, take a short trip to Scarperia e San Piero, a picturesque town in the Mugello area about 30 km from Florence. Here you can enjoy the traditional Sagra del tortello, polenta e cinghiale, namely the Festival of Tortello, Polenta, and Wild Boar - three of Tuscany’s most beloved rustic dishes.

During the three-day festival, both lunch and dinner feature grilled and stewed wild boar dishes, steaming plates of polenta, the cornmeal porridge with various toppings and delicious handmade potato tortelli, typical of the Mugello area.

December 6–8 | Scarperia e San Piero (FI)

The Christmas holiday season is one of the most enchanting times to explore Italian cities. Streets, squares, and alleys take on a new face, wrapped in festive lights and a joyful, dreamlike atmosphere.

That’s why December is the perfect month to visit Florence: take advantage of the markets, events, and special occasions we’ve listed and let yourself be swept away by the Cradle of Renaissance, dressed in its holiday best.