‌

Best of Florence in December: Florence Duomo, Christmas Lights & Holiday Markets

December transforms Florence into a warm, candlelit city of Renaissance treasures and Christmas spirit. Early December sees low crowds and good hotel deals, while the holiday weeks sparkle with markets, concerts, and nativity scenes. Dress for cold, damp days with early sunsets by 5 pm. Book holiday dinners and museum slots ahead for late month visits.

Florence in December 2025 at a glance

🌦️ Weather

Avg highs 11 °C / 52 °F; nights dip to 3 °C / 37 °F, often rainy.

☀️ Daylight

~9 h; sunrise ~7:35 am, sunset ~4:40 pm.

🎉 Key events

Christmas markets, F-Light Festival, Immaculate Conception.

👥 Crowds

Low early month, medium-high Christmas–New Year’s.

🧳 What to pack

Warm coat, scarf, gloves, waterproof boots.

🍴 Seasonal treats

Panforte, vin brulé, rich Tuscan stews.

How December compares

Category

November

December

January

Weather

Cooler, avg highs 15 °C / 59 °F with rain.

Cold, avg highs 11 °C / 52 °F; near freezing nights.

Coldest, avg highs 10 °C / 50 °F; possible frost.

Crowds & vibe

Quiet, authentic local feel.

Calm early, festive buzz mid-late month.

Very quiet post-holidays, local pace.

Key events

All Saints' Day, Florence Marathon.

F-Light Festival, Christmas markets, Christmas & St. Stephen’s Day.

Epiphany Cavalcade, winter sales start.

Best for

Budget travelers, art lovers avoiding crowds.

Festive travelers, romantic winter city breaks.

Bargain hunters, peaceful museum visits.

Book early?

Not usually needed.

Yes for late Dec hotels, dinners, museum slots.

Only for Pitti Uomo mid-Jan.

Transport notes

Normal; some holiday closures Nov 1.

Public transit on holiday schedules Dec 25–26.

Normal; extra transport for Epiphany parade.

Budget

Lowest season rates.

Early month low, Christmas–NYE rates rise.

Lowest post-holiday hotel deals.

Top things to do in Florence in December

Explore Uffizi masterpieces on quiet mornings

  • When: Throughout December
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • Visiting in December means smaller crowds at the Uffizi Gallery. Stroll Botticelli’s Primavera and da Vinci’s Annunciation without peak-season lines. Book tickets for early morning slots to linger peacefully among Renaissance icons before lunch.

See Florence’s festive lights at F-Light Festival

  • When: Dec 7 – Jan 7
  • Tags: Seasonal, Outdoors
  • The F-Light Festival illuminates bridges and facades across Florence with colorful projections and installations. Head to Ponte Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria after dark to catch these striking artworks lighting up historic buildings.

Warm up with thick Italian hot chocolate

  • When: Throughout December
  • Tags: Food, Family-friendly
  • Try cioccolata calda – thick, pudding-like Italian hot chocolate – at Caffè Gilli or Rivoire near Piazza della Repubblica. A sweet, warming pause from cold market strolls.

Shop for artisan gifts at Piazza Santa Croce Christmas Market

  • When: Late Nov – Dec 22
  • Tags: Seasonal, Shopping
  • Browse wooden stalls selling ornaments, wool scarves, Tuscan delicacies, and mulled wine at Florence’s biggest Christmas market in Piazza Santa Croce. Best visited midweek mornings to avoid crowds.

Climb the Duomo for crisp winter views

  • When: Throughout December (weather permitting)
  • Tags: Outdoors, Adventure
  • Climbing Brunelleschi’s dome offers panoramic city views under winter’s clear skies. The 463-step ascent is worth it for sunrise or sunset vistas over Florence’s festive rooftops.

Admire nativity scenes in Florentine churches

  • When: Throughout December
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Family-friendly
  • Many churches set up elaborate presepi (nativity scenes) in December. Visit Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce to see artistic cribs and traditional Tuscan settings.

Take a Tuscan cooking class indoors

  • When: Throughout December
  • Tags: Cultural experience, Tour
  • Cold days are perfect for learning to make ribollita, handmade pasta, and cantucci with local chefs. Choose classes with indoor kitchens and lunch tastings included.

Enjoy classical Christmas concerts

  • When: Mid to late December
  • Tags: Seasonal, Cultural experience
  • Attend festive concerts in historic churches like Santo Spirito or Orsanmichele. Programs feature baroque and Renaissance music; check local listings for evening performances.

Offbeat experiences in December

See Florence’s F-Light projections off the beaten path

Hidden light shows on lesser-known facades add magic to quiet streets. Catch F-Light installations at Oltrarno’s smaller piazzas for fewer crowds and unique visuals reflecting local art themes.
📍Where: Various Oltrarno locations

Tour Florence’s artisan workshops

See goldsmiths, bookbinders, and leatherworkers at work. December is ideal for browsing artisans crafting holiday orders. Book walking tours of Oltrarno botteghe for an intimate view of Florentine craftsmanship.
📍Where: Via Santo Spirito, Via Maggio

Explore San Lorenzo Market’s indoor food hall

Warm up with Tuscan street food. Mercato Centrale’s upper level serves lampredotto sandwiches, pasta, and wines in a bustling indoor setting – perfect for chilly December days.
📍Where: Mercato Centrale, Piazza del Mercato Centrale

Visit hidden cloisters of Santa Croce

Peaceful Renaissance architecture away from festive crowds. Few visitors venture into the cloisters behind Santa Croce’s basilica, offering quiet arcades and tombs of artisans and scholars.
📍Where: Piazza Santa Croce

Join a winter truffle tasting tour

Sample prized white truffles. December is prime truffle season. Local food tours include tastings of truffle-infused dishes and oils sourced from nearby Tuscan forests.
📍Where: Departure from Florence city center

Festivals and events in Florence this December 2025

Event/Festival

Dates

Event type

Location

What to expect

F-Light Festival

7 Dec 2025 – 7 Jan 2026

Cultural festival

Citywide

Buildings and bridges are illuminated with artistic light projections. Wander after dark for festive photos and glowing Renaissance façades.

Immaculate Conception Holiday

8 Dec 2025

Public holiday

Citywide churches and shops

Marks the start of Christmas celebrations. Some shops close, but main museums remain open. Check hours if planning visits.

Santa Croce Christmas Market

Late Nov – 22 Dec 2025 [TBC]

Christmas market

Piazza Santa Croce

Florence’s largest festive market offers gifts, crafts, and German-style foods. Visit early weekday mornings to avoid peak crowds.

Classical Christmas Concerts

Various Dec 2025 evenings [TBC]

Concert

Churches citywide

Evening performances of seasonal baroque and Renaissance works. Book tickets early for popular venues like Santo Spirito.

Highlights for different traveler types

Couples

  • Sunset dome climb – Romantic winter light over Florence’s rooftops.
  • Warm aperitivo – Share Negronis at Rivoire after Christmas market shopping.
  • Concert night – Attend candlelit baroque music in historic churches.

Foodies

  • Truffle tastings – Sample winter white truffles on guided tasting tours.
  • Mercato Centrale feast – Explore artisan cheese, lampredotto, and Tuscan wines.
  • Cooking class – Learn ribollita and cantucci baking with local chefs.

Culture vultures

  • Quiet Uffizi visits – Enjoy Renaissance rooms minus summer crowds.
  • Church presepi – Admire elaborate nativity scenes in Santa Croce and Santo Spirito.
  • F-Light Festival – See artful light installations projected onto historic facades.

Your perfect 3-day Florence in December itinerary

  • Breakfast: Cappuccino and pastry at Caffè Gilli.
  • Morning: Early entry Uffizi Gallery for Botticelli and Leonardo works.
  • Midday: Stroll Ponte Vecchio’s goldsmith shops.
  • Lunch: Warm ribollita at Trattoria ZaZa.
  • Afternoon: Visit Santa Croce’s basilica and nativity scenes.
  • Evening: Walk F-Light Festival illuminations along Arno and Duomo.
  • Breakfast: Espresso and sfoglia at Scudieri.
  • Morning: Browse Santa Croce Christmas market stalls.
  • Midday: Admire Brunelleschi’s dome from Piazza del Duomo.
  • Lunch: Pasta with truffle at Mercato Centrale food hall.
  • Afternoon: Tuscan cooking class (handmade pasta + cantucci).
  • Evening: Attend a baroque Christmas concert at Santo Spirito.
  • Breakfast: Hot chocolate at Rivoire.
  • Morning: Tour Oltrarno artisan workshops.
  • Midday: Walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo for panoramic views.
  • Lunch: Panini at All’Antico Vinaio.
  • Afternoon: Explore Palazzo Pitti’s galleries.
  • Evening: Relax with Tuscan wine at Signorvino near Ponte Vecchio.

Best day trips from Florence in December

San Gimignano

🚄 Travel time: ~1.5 h by bus/train combo

Charming medieval towers and quiet lanes with festive lights. Taste local Vernaccia wines in cozy enotecas. Early sunsets make evening returns ideal.

Siena

🚄 Travel time: ~1.5 h by bus

Visit Siena’s illuminated medieval streets and impressive cathedral. December is peaceful, with locals enjoying pre-Christmas shopping.

Pisa

🚄 Travel time: ~1 h by train

Climb the Leaning Tower in crisp winter air, then explore festive lights along the Arno. Less crowded than summer.

Go shopping in Florence in December

  • When: Late Nov – Dec 22
  • Where: Piazza Santa Croce
  • Wooden stalls with ornaments, gifts, German foods, mulled wine. Best on weekday mornings.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: Centro storico
  • Luxury designer boutiques with festive window displays. December sales start after Christmas.
  • When: Year-round
  • Where: San Lorenzo
  • Indoor food market with artisan products, wine, and quick meals. Good for edible gifts.

Pro tips for visiting Florence in December

  1. Dress in warm layers with waterproof boots; cold rain is common and streets can get slick.

  2. Many restaurants offer special Christmas and New Year’s menus – book well ahead for Dec 24–25 and Dec 31 dinners.

  3. Museums close early in winter; check last entry times (often ~4:30 pm).

  4. Visit Christmas markets midweek mornings to browse without crowds.

  5. Carry some cash for market stalls – many don’t take cards.

  6. If climbing the Duomo, mornings are clearer for views before clouds build.

  7. Shops close on Dec 25; Dec 26 has limited openings – plan indoor activities accordingly.

  8. Watch out for early sunsets around 4:40 pm; plan sightseeing accordingly.

  9. Local buses and trams run holiday schedules on Dec 25–26; check ATAF app for timings.

  10. Attend church concerts for a unique festive experience; tickets sell out fast for popular performances.

FAQs for Florence in December 2025

Is Florence crowded in December?

Early December is quiet with low tourist numbers, but crowds rise from Christmas week through New Year’s Eve due to holiday travelers.

Are museums open on Christmas Day?

Most museums and shops are closed on December 25. Some reopen on December 26 with limited hours; check individual sites in advance.

What is the weather like in December?

Expect cold, damp days with highs around 11 °C / 52 °F and nights dipping near 3 °C / 37 °F. Rain is common.

Do I need to book restaurants for Christmas?

Yes. Many restaurants have special holiday menus and limited tables. Book well ahead for dinners on December 24, 25, and 31.

Is the Duomo dome climb open in December?

Yes, weather permitting. It can close in rain or high winds, so check forecasts and book early morning slots for clearer views.

Are Christmas markets open after Christmas?

No. The Santa Croce market usually ends by December 22–24. Markets shut down before Christmas Day.

What to wear in Florence in December?

Bring a warm coat, scarves, gloves, and waterproof boots. Streets are damp and evenings are near freezing.

Is it expensive to visit Florence in December?

Early December offers good deals on hotels. Prices rise from Christmas to New Year’s due to holiday demand.

Do buses and trams run on holidays?

Yes, but on a holiday schedule with reduced frequency on December 25–26. Check the ATAF app for exact times.

Can I attend midnight mass in Florence?

Yes. Many major churches hold midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Arrive early for seating and dress warmly.