What to do at Christmas in Florence

From the Ferris wheel to the ice rink: here's everything you can do during the holidays in the city

In December, Florence lights up with a special glow. It’s not just the effect of the decorations that adorn the downtown streets, but a widespread atmosphere, made up of recurring traditions and new events that enrich the city. Florence welcomes, surprises and invites you to experience Christmas with attentive eyes and an open heart. The first gesture that marks the beginning of the festive season is the lighting of the large tree on Piazza del Duomo, which from December 8 illuminates the Cathedral with its understated and impeccable elegance. Next to it, the terracotta Nativity scene, handcrafted by local artisans, speaks of a tradition that endures over time, featuring care, detail and subtle poetry. (Here are all the nativity scenes to see in Tuscany).

A short distance away, Piazza Santa Croce hosts the Weihnachtsmarkt until December 24th, a corner of Germany in the heart of Tuscany. Among the wooden huts, hand-painted decorations and the spiced scent of gingerbread, you rediscover the joy of being surprised by small gestures: a warm cup of mulled wine in your hands and an unexpected gift found among the stalls. (Here you will find all the most beautiful Christmas markets in Tuscany)

The shopping streets turn into an elegant promenade: Via de’ Tornabuoni shines with designer shop windows, while Via Maggio offers a more intimate atmosphere with ateliers, antique shops and art studios.

During the Christmas holidays, Palazzo Medici Riccardi comes alive with a rich program of activities for adults, families, and children, combining art, history, and festive atmosphere. Michelozzo's courtyard hosts the Christmas tree and special illuminations, while the calendar offers guided tours, creative workshops, torchlight tours, and historical games inspired by the Medici era. On Tuesday, December 30, at 10 a.m., families with children aged 7 to 12 can take part in an art workshop dedicated to the Three Kings in Benozzo Gozzoli's precious chapel, on their journey to Bethlehem. At 11:30 a.m., adults can take part in a tour of the palace to learn more about the history and characteristics of its wonderful rooms. On Friday, January 2, the highly popular Torchlight Tours return, offering a unique opportunity to visit the museum in a new way: torch in hand, at 7 p.m. families and at 9 p.m. young people and adults will venture into the rooms of the palace to discover its secrets. Finally, on January 6 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., children aged 8 to 12 can celebrate Epiphany together by taking part in an exciting team game that was already popular in the Medici era: Biribissi, a combination of treasure hunt and bingo focused on the works of art in the museum, with special attention to the iconography of the wonderful Chapel of the Magi.

Meanwhile, the city’s most iconic hotels dress up with lights, garlands and scenic fir trees. From the always wonderfully decorated lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel Florence to the decorations at The St. Regis Florence and sophisticated settings of The Excelsior, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Florence, each location becomes an elegant retreat where you can enjoy a British-inspired afternoon tea, a coffee surrounded by the scent of citrus fruit, or aperitivo time in sweet company.

With Florence Lights Up, the city once again becomes a theater of light: monuments, squares, and palaces are transformed into luminous visions where art, and wonder come together.

Moving further away from the center, we find Collegio on Ice – A Winter Wonderland, the first Christmas event at Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Collection. Until January 31, the historic residence in the hills turns into a contemporary fairytale: the Beluga Ice Rink – set up in the pool area – sparkles beside the terraced gardens, enveloped by the scent of pine and Frette blankets ready to welcome guests. Every weekend, the Winter Village brings together crafts, music, food and a cozy atmosphere that seems straight out of a Christmas movie.

Finally, Florence Ice returns to Fortezza da Basso: a winter garden where the lakeside ice rink and the Florence Eye create a fairytale landscape for the whole family. The 55-meter-high Ferris wheel offers spectacular views of the city until April 30, 2026 (with a possible extension), while at its base, Europe's longest ice skating rink comes to life, open until January 31, 2026. Next to the rink, until Epiphany, there will be a Christmas Village with Santa's House, a post office for letters, a chocolate factory, creative workshops, and food stands. An unmissable event for families, tourists, and curious visitors who want to experience Florence at its most festive and enchanting.