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, colourful lights, roasted chestnuts, small wooden huts and fantastic elf villages are ready to return to the most beautiful squares in Tuscany. Let's discover together all the markets not to be missed to experience the magic of Christmas to the fullest.

Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce

From 15 November to 21 December 2025, the Weihnachtsmarkt, the traditional Christmas market, returns to Florence, bringing over fifty stalls housed in typical wooden huts to the city. An event that brings together scents, flavours and crafts from all over Europe, offering gastronomic specialities, hot drinks and many handmade gift ideas. The market will be accompanied by a rich calendar of events, with a particular focus on activities and entertainment designed for children.

Arezzo Città del Natale

From 15 November to 6 January 2026, the historic centre of Arezzo will be transformed into a large Christmas setting with events and attractions for all ages. The traditional Tyrolean Christmas Market returns to Piazza Grande, featuring exhibitors from Italy and Central Europe. The city will be embellished with new light installations and spectacular video mapping that will illuminate Piazza Grande and the Palazzo Comunale. Every Saturday and Sunday (until 21 December, plus 8 December), Piazza Guido Monaco will host the 13th edition of Arti fatte a mano, the market dedicated to local crafts. To discover the city in a fairytale atmosphere, an electric bus tour with audio guide will also be available. At sunset, a giant luminous moon will shine over the Giardino Pensile della Provincia, while the Fortezza Medicea will be transformed into an enchanted village of over 10,000 square metres with light shows, installations and choreography. Don't miss Santa's House, with an interactive trail, animations, a post office and a final meeting with Santa Claus.

Christmas in Forte dei Marmi

From 29 November to 6 January 2026, Forte dei Marmi will be transformed by magic with traditional illuminations along the seafront and in the town centre. Spectacular installations and numerous events will contribute to creating an elegant and evocative atmosphere, attracting visitors from across the region. The star of the show is the majestic Christmas tree on the pier, a shining symbol of the Fortemarmine festivities. The characteristic Christmas market returns to Piazza Dante (29 November - 1 January), while the Fortino Leopoldo I hosts the traditional Kingdom of Santa Claus (29 November - 6 January). In the Tarabella Pine Forest, visitors can enjoy the ice skating rink, open until 15 January. The rich calendar of daily events for adults and children will culminate on 6 January in Piazza Garibaldi, with the arrival of the Befana and a show by street artists.

Mercato nel Campo at Siena

From 6 to 8 December, Piazza del Campo in Siena will host the 17th edition of Mercato nel Campo, which recreates the ancient medieval Mercato Grande. For three days, over 150 stands housed in characteristic wooden huts will enliven the famous shell-shaped square with the best local food, wine and craft products. The protagonists will be typical flavours such as fresh pasta, cheese with oil, saffron honey, ricciarelli, cavallucci, chocolate panforte and DOP products such as Cinta Senese, Terre di Siena extra virgin olive oil, Pecorino Toscano and San Gimignano saffron. There will also be unique handicrafts – fused glass, artistic ceramics, paper crafts, wrought iron objects – along with Christmas gifts and decorations. The market will also offer live demonstrations of ancient arts: bookbinding, weaving with historic looms, wool processing and furniture restoration. The programme includes tastings, workshops, children's activities, cooking shows and performances. As a special event, “Gin nel Campo” will be held under the Palazzo Pubblico, featuring nine Italian distilleries. Three days to immerse yourself in the history and flavours of Siena past and present.

Natale at Castelfalfi

From 6 to 8 December, the medieval village of Castelfalfi dresses up for the holidays with three days of Christmas events open to everyone and completely free of charge, from 11 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. The Christmas Market enlivens the streets with wooden huts and local handicrafts, while street food offers typical Tuscan winter flavours, from roasted chestnuts to mulled wine. Live music and travelling shows fill the village with atmosphere, along with Santa's House, a must-see for children. There are also creative workshops and activities for families. Making the event even more evocative is the living Advent Calendar, an interactive experience in the heart of the village. An ideal opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas in Tuscany.

Magical Christmas in Lucca

In Lucca, palaces, churches and squares are illuminated with lights and artistic projections, from the Palazzo Ducale to the famous Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, transforming the city into a refined Christmas setting. The illuminations bear the signature of big names: Lucca-based designer Emiliana Martinelli will enrich Piazza del Teatro del Giglio, while multimedia artist Francesco Zavattari will make Piazza Anfiteatro, the beating heart of the event, even more evocative. The historic 17th-century nativity scene, precious for its Lucca fabrics, returns to the church of Santa Maria Corteorlandini. In Piazza Napoleone, from 22 November to 28 December, the Lucca Magico Natale market comes to life, a village-market with wooden huts open every day. The city also offers numerous side events: the chic market in Forte dei Marmi in Borgo Giannotti (23rd November), the Puro Cioccolato exhibition in Piazza Anfiteatro (5th-7th December), and the traditional Antiques Market around the cathedral (20th-21st December). The festivities conclude with music, with the end-of-year concert in Piazza Santa Maria (31 December) and the New Year's Concert at the Teatro del Giglio (1 January).

Christmas in Montepulciano

From 22 November to 6 January, Montepulciano celebrates Christmas once again with one of the most eagerly awaited events in Tuscany. The heart of the event is the charming Santa Claus Castle, set up in the medieval fortress: a scenic route full of decorations and surprises for young and old alike. Around the splendid Piazza Grande, along Via San Donato and in the nearby streets, the largest Christmas market in central Italy unfolds, offering crafts, decorations and typical products. New for this year is the Christmas Terrace, a panoramic terrace in the heart of the historic centre from which to admire the Val d'Orcia. The programme is enriched by numerous events and activities, including a mini pony ranch dedicated to children, allowing them to fully experience the magic of the festive season in the unique setting of Montepulciano.

Empoli Città del Natale

From 15 November to 11 January 2026, Empoli is transformed into the “Christmas town”, wrapped in lights and installations that illuminate the squares and streets of the town centre. Piazza Farinata degli Uberti becomes the centrepiece of the festivities thanks to the spectacular “Grande nevicata” (Great Snowfall), with real snowflakes falling on weekends and public holidays, creating a fairytale atmosphere. Piazza Matteotti will host the Winter Park, with an ice rink and Ferris wheel, while Santa's House will welcome children to deliver their letters. A tourist train, stopping in Piazza della Vittoria, will allow visitors to discover all the attractions and the traditional Christmas market. The Christmas Parade, scheduled every Saturday and Sunday, is a must-see, with music and shows dedicated to children.

Pistoia Città del Natale

From 25 November to 6 January, Pistoia lights up with Christmas spirit, offering a rich programme of events and installations throughout the streets and squares of the city centre. The Christmas market and the enchanting Enchanted Forest return to Piazzetta Spirito Santo, while the Magical World of Father Christmas comes to life in the frescoed rooms of the Palazzo Comunale in Piazza Duomo. A skating rink will be set up in Piazza San Francesco, accompanied by the inevitable travelling entertainment that will enliven the entire historic centre. The calendar also includes shows, parades and numerous live music events, making Pistoia one of the liveliest cities during the festive period.