The holiday spirit can be felt all around Florence in piazza Santa Croce, along the Ponte Vecchio, via de’ Tornabuoni, via Gioberti and more. This December, I recommend venturing a little further to explore the festive magic in Tuscany, from artisan markets to family fun experiences.
Empoli Città del Natale
Crowned as the Best Christmas Experience in Italy in 2021, Empoli Città del Natale still lives up to the title today. Featuring a Ferris wheel, illuminations and what claims to be the tallest Christmas tree in Tuscany, it’s the perfect daytrip for the whole family. Set among decorated wooden chalets, shimmering lights and a cozy festive atmosphere, the market is a showcase for artisan goods, local delicacies and unique gift ideas. Strolling through the stalls, you’re met with the essence of Christmas: aromas of cinnamon and mulled wine, seasonal melodies and performances that turn each visit into a celebration! Indulge in a bombolone, filled doughnuts that have long been a Tuscan favorite, especially during the colder months. Empoli’s Christmas markets are open every weekend in piazza Farinata degli Uberti and piazza della Vittoria until December 24, while on December 17, there’s also a concert as part of Empoli Jazz Festival. Empoli Città del Natale runs until January 11, 2026.
Pistoia Città del Natale
Thirty minutes or so from Florence, Pistoia Città del Natale transports visitors straight to the North Pole with a market, ice skating rink and opportunities to meet Santa at the Father Christmas house. Plus, it’s one of the few places where you can actually meet Santa’s little helpers! As part of the SynCircus: Elves on the Road performance on December 12 and 14, a duo of stilt-walkers dressed in Lapland-inspired costumes roam the city centre streets, chatting with visitors and bringing the Christmas spirit to life. Christmas in Pistoia also means discovering seasonal flavours, from necci (sweet chestnut flour crêpes) to festive pastries and mulled wine. While in town, pop into the various municipal museums, such as the Civic Museum of Ancient Art and the 20th Century and Contemporary Museum at Palazzo Fabroni. The festivities end on January 6 with the traditional descent of the Magi from cathedral bell tower. Many of the events are free with limited capacity.
Arezzo Città del Natale
About 80 kilometres south of Florence, Arezzo is a favorite winter getaway with Arezzo Città del Natale through January 6. The Tyrolean-style Christmas market through December 28 in piazza Grande is a highlight in its own right. Wooden market stalls serve sweet and savory specialties such as pretzels, hearty sausages and canederli (bread-based dumplings flavoured with smoked bacon) that are perfect during a winter stroll. Don’t miss the daily craft markets in piazza San Jacopo and piazza Risorgimento, Mercatino delle Arti gift market in Parco Il Prato, and the handicrafts market in piazza Guido Monaco every Saturday and Sunday through December 21 as well as December 8. It’s not just about the markets, however. Other attractions include the Firefly Field, an installation of myriad dots of light designed by Studio Toer in the Roman amphitheatre, the Forest of Emotions illuminations, and the ice skating rink and Ferris wheel in piazza Duomo.
Lucca Magico Natale
Lucca is lovelier than ever in the winter. Artist-designed illuminations, French food market (think tarte tatin and fabulous cheeses) and craft markets, light shows, ice skating, concerts, workshops and more make up Lucca Magico Natale through January 6. Don’t miss the nativity scenes carefully arranged throughout the town, including a late 17th-century staging in the Church of Santa Maria Corteorlandini, a scene along the city walls by Baluardo San Colombano and a collection of nativity-centric paintings displayed in Villa Guinigi and Palazzo Mansi. While in Lucca, head to the ex-Cavallerizza to see the striking Giovanni Boldini art exhibition celebrating female beauty. 2026 will be rung in with a Nineties party in piazza Santa Maria until 3am complete with live music, pyrotechnics and snow machines.
turismo.lucca.it/lucca-magico-natale
Bonus tip
This Christmas, also check out Prato, when the textile town comes to life with elegant lights, concerts, sustainable workshops and stellar exhibitions at Museo del Tessuto and Centro Pecci, and the picturesque town centre of Pontassieve with its children’s activities, ice skating rink and family-run specialty stores.
