The worth seeing Christmas markets in Tuscany

Let's find out together where to go to find villages, stalls, and Santa's cottages

Once again this year, coloured lights, roasted chestnuts, small wooden houses and fantastic elf villages are ready to return to Tuscany's most beautiful squares. Let's discover together all the markets not to be missed to best experience the magic of Christmas.

FLORENCE AND SURROUNDINGS

Empoli Città del Natale

From 18 November to 7 January 2024, Empoli will once again be illuminated with Christmas lights. Amidst light installations and projections on the buildings in the centre, visitors can immerse themselves in the Magical World of Father Christmas, enter the House of the Mascots and the House of the Donkey, attend the costume parades or wander around the Market Village. They can also try their hand at the ice rink in the winter park, venture on the Giant Ferris Wheel or the Horse Ride.

Natalia at Fucecchio

At the Corsini Park on 6 January (from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to savour the magic of Christmas in Fucecchio. Not just a simple Christmas village, but an interactive event where elves, elves, Disney characters, workshops and musical performances await young guests in a magical atmosphere. Among the attractions not to be missed are Santa's house, the snack with Father Christmas, the Grinch and his house, the Disney princesses' show, Willy Wonka and his workshop, Pinocchio's workshop, the wishing well, the Elf Club House and Santa's parade. During the six days it is also possible to visit the Civic and Diocesan Museum of Fucecchio (from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and the panoramic viewpoint on the Torre di Mezzo (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Full programme, updates and details on the website www.nataliafucecchio.com.

AREZZO

Arezzo Città del Natale

Until 7 January 2024, every weekend, Arezzo dresses up for the festive season with many attractions that mark the wait for Christmas and accompany the start of the New Year. An evocative path of light installations offers an unusual and exciting interpretation of historical architecture and buildings. One of the main novelties will be the Prato, a large green area dominating the city, which will be transformed into the Park of Wonders, hosting themed events, typical markets, the planetarium and the Ferris wheel. Great expectations for the Fortress of Wonders organised by Eventar: inside the ancient Medici Fortress, located at the highest point of the Prato, a veritable village of Elves is set up. Thanks to the hospitality of the Provincial Administration, the Atrio d'onore of the Palazzo della Provincia hosts an exhibition of original cribs from all over the world. In Piazza Grande (until 1 January), the Christmas markets return and the unique atmosphere of the Tyrolean Village can be breathed in, while, for children, the appointment with Father Christmas's House is renewed (until 24 December) with workshops, light games, installations and a meeting with the 'grand old man' and his elves. In the Cloister of the Library, from 7 December to 24 December, the Artigiani di Natale (Christmas Craftsmen) exhibition market will be held, featuring the excellence of local crafts, organised by Confartigianato. In Piazza San Francesco (until 1 January) the Gallery of Contemporary Art hosts Brick House Art: three floors of exhibitions with workshops and reproductions of monuments and works of art using a total of 3 million of the beloved bricks. Original nativity scenes are also set up in the churches of Arezzo, while Piazza San Jacopo and Piazza Risorgimento host a traditional market characterised by small wooden houses offering the typical atmosphere of a Christmas village.

LUCCA AND SURROUNDINGS

Christmas Land - Viareggio è Natale

The Father Christmas village arrives in Viareggio, a magical place where Christmas is expressed in all its forms. From the end of November to 7 January, Piazza d'Azeglio becomes the protagonist of a unique event. Christmas Land - Viareggio is Christmas is born with the idea of exalting the delicacies of the territory, amid entertainment, illuminations and unmissable attractions in the name of sharing and solidarity, with collections of toys and resources for charitable purposes. A guided route entirely covered in wood, among giant mushrooms, elves and the post office where you can send your letter to the North Pole: and then Santa's house, the Hall of Mirrors and the toy factory with workshops for working with wood and decorating biscuits.

SIENA AND SURROUNDINGS

Il Castello di Babbo Natale at Montepulciano

Once again this year, from 18 November to 7 January 2024, the medieval Fortress of Montepulciano will host Father Christmas' Castle. Large, imposing, festively decorated and full of surprises, it will amaze children as well as adults. Visitors can discover where Father Christmas lives with his elves, and meet the 'real' Father Christmas, and then post their letter in the enchanted contraption. In the castle garden, you can take a ride on the docile ponies or enjoy a rich street food offer with sweet and savoury specialities in the equipped and covered area. Open daily from 14:30 to 19:00.

Mercato nel Campo at Siena

In the setting of Siena's Piazza del Campo on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 December - from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. - the 14th edition of the Mercato nel Campo will take place, a kind of re-enactment of the historic Mercato Grande that took place once a week in 14th-century Siena. More than 160 stalls will be set up in the suggestive shell of the Campo di Siena, offering the best food, wine and handicraft products all in a festive atmosphere.