10 Things to Do in Florence in December

The cold December weather cannot overshadow Florence's many attractions. In fact, the opposite is true, as during this month the city is decked out in Christmas decorations.

As you would expect in a city as lively as Florence, December is full of activities and events for both Florentines and visitors to enjoy during this time of year.

Although you are sure to visit Santa Croce either on your own or with an organized tour, it is well worth taking the time to visit the most popular Christmas market in Florence, located in Piazza Santa Croce.

This Florentine market is modeled on German Christmas markets. The entire square, decorated for the occasion, is filled with small wooden huts offering decorative items, handicrafts, and, of course, various typical dishes from Italian regions, as well as German dishes such as gingerbread and strudel.

If you have traveled to Florence with children, this square offers a splendid carousel where they will have a great time.

Practical information

• Where: in Piazza Santa Croce.
• When: the first three weeks of December.
• Hours: from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Strolling through the streets of Florence in December means enjoying the special lighting and decorations typical of this time of year, as well as the shop window displays. I suggest you take a short tour amid the smell of roasted chestnuts and the magical atmosphere that envelops the city during this season:

• A good place to start is Piazza San Lorenzo, one of the most beautiful squares in Florence and home to an interesting market.
• From there, you can walk to Piazza del Duomo, where (in addition to the Cathedral of Santa Maria dei Fiori) you will see the large Christmas tree that is traditionally lit on December 8.
• Walking down Via Calzaiuoli, you will reach the fantastic Piazza della Signoria.
• Continue towards the Ponte Vecchio, but not before admiring the façade of the Uffizi Gallery.
• A good place to end your tour is the Palazzo Pitti, although if you feel like it, it's not a bad idea to climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy the views of the city from its viewpoint.

This short pre-Christmas itinerary can be done using a tourist bus, which allows you to hop on and off whenever and wherever you want to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the streets.

As in all Catholic countries, December 8 is celebrated in Florence as the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The tradition among Florentines is to begin preparing for the approaching Christmas season. However, if you are in the city, you will be able to enjoy the Fierucola dell'Immacolata.

For two days, December 8 and 9, the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata (near the Leonardo Da Vinci museum, for which I will leave you information about tickets) is filled with food and craft stalls where Florentines take the opportunity to buy some of their Christmas gifts.

On December 8, you can also attend another important event in the city: the lighting of a large Christmas tree in the beautiful Piazza del Duomo. The ceremony is attended by all the authorities of Florence and is usually accompanied by events such as concerts and entertainment.

If you decide to take a food tour of Florence during this time of year, you will notice that some dishes change with the arrival of cold weather and the approach of winter. Added to this is the appearance of Christmas recipes. A good way to try more things is to visit the markets in the historic center where they serve food and discover new flavors:

• Appetizers are a must at any meal worth its salt at this time of year, always accompanied by a good glass of prosecco.
• Crostini Toscani (chicken liver pâté on Tuscan bread) are one of the most classic appetizers.
• Another very typical dish is handmade tortellini.
• Of course, roasted chestnuts are a must.
• Finally, with the cold of December comes thick hot chocolate.

On December 21, Florence holds a small celebration to remember one of its most influential figures, who is, at the same time, one of the least known outside the city. My advice is to join one of the historical-religious itineraries that take place in various neighborhoods of the old town to mark this celebration.

The main center of the celebration is the Badia Florentina, where the tomb of the Marquis of Tuscia, the first lord of Tuscany who decided to move the court to Florence, is located. Several events are held there to commemorate him, although the commemoration extends to the rest of the city's historic neighborhoods.

In addition to the aforementioned itineraries that follow in his footsteps, you can also see an interesting parade of the Florentine Republic, in which participants wear costumes that will take you back to the Middle Ages, a time when Florence was its own state.

One of the problems with visiting Florence in December is the cold and the possibility of rain (or even snow). Fortunately, there is no shortage of indoor places to visit in the city, and they are much less crowded than in the high season. Therefore, a visit to the best Florentine museums is a must on your agenda.

• Uffizi Gallery: no visit to Florence can be considered complete without seeing the best paintings in the Uffizi Gallery. Although December is not as busy as other months, it is always a good idea to buy your ticket in advance and, if you are interested in art, book a guided tour in Spanish.
• Accademia Gallery: another must-see museum if you are in the city. Among the great works it houses is Michelangelo's famous David. As in the previous case, the smaller crowds should not lull you into a false sense of security, so I advise you to buy your ticket to the Gallery in advance and skip the line.
• Palazzo Vecchio: Don't miss a visit to the Palazzo Vecchio, where you can admire several rooms full of works of art in a unique setting. The museum is located in the beautiful Piazza della Signoria.
• Museo Nazionale del Bargello: Although less well known than the previous museums, booking tickets to visit this museum located in a palace in the historic center should be part of your itinerary when visiting Florence. Its collection of Renaissance works is impressive, with Donatello's David being a highlight.

On December 8, a festival begins in Florence that completely changes the image of the city: the Firenze Light Festival. During the festival, several of the city's most representative squares and corners are illuminated in the most creative ways.

These lights are joined by other initiatives such as artistic installations and projections, among which the video mapping of the Ponte Vecchio stands out.

Other places that form part of this festival of light are the Galileo Museum, the Basilica of San Lorenzo, the Novecento Museum, the Basilica of San Miniato al Monte, and all the towers and gates surrounding the historic center.

If you are staying in areas further away from the center, you may also find places illuminated during the festival, as it reaches places such as Piazza delle Cure, San Donato Park, Piazza dell'Isolotto, and many other corners.

Torchlight walk in the museums

As part of this festival, there is an activity called Torchlight Walk in the Museums. Both children and adults can participate, and it is held in the following centers belonging to the Florentine Civic Museums (dates and times are approximate):

• Santa Maria Novella: from December 17 to January 7, at 7:00 p.m. for families with children between 8 and 12 years old and at 8:30 p.m. for young people and adults.
• Palazzo Vecchio: begins on December 18 and runs until January 8. The schedule is the same as above.
• Bardini Museum: begins on December 9 and ends on January 9, with the same schedule as above.

Although climbing up to this viewpoint, one of the best in Florence, is recommended at any time of year, in December the views are even more spectacular if you arrive after sunset. From Piazzale Michelangelo, you can enjoy the sight of the whole city lit up with the special lights typical of this time of year.

The square also has a bronze replica of Michelangelo's David, as well as a café where you can sit for a while and enjoy the views. If you want to stay longer, there's no problem, as you can go to the restaurant in the square or buy food at one of the kiosks there.

How to get there

Those who feel like walking can do so from the south bank of the Arno River, where there are several well-marked paths. On the other hand, those who prefer a more comfortable ride can take city bus lines 12 or 13 or the City Sightseeing tourist bus.

The intense cultural life that characterizes Florence in winter includes classical ballet performances. Among them, there is no better one to see in December than The Nutcracker, which is performed every year on December 23 at the Teatro Pergola, one of the most beautiful theaters in Italy.

This performance is by the famous Moscow Ballet. The Nutcracker, one of Tchaikovsky's masterpieces, tells the story of a toy (the nutcracker of the title) given to a girl on Christmas Eve. When she falls asleep, she has a dream in which mice try to steal her new toy, but she defends it by throwing a shoe at the Mouse King.

Even if you've gone to Florence to enjoy its culture by visiting, for example, the best works in the Accademia Gallery, that shouldn't stop you from doing fun things. In December, you have the opportunity to ice skate in several areas of the city.

One of the most popular rinks is the Parterre, in Piazza della Libertà:

• It costs around €6 per skating session (around €4 if you bring your own skates).
• You can easily rent equipment there.
• It is open throughout December and the first few days of January.

Another traditional place in the city for various winter sports, including skating, is the Florence Winter Park, located in the Tuscany Hall (Lungarno Aldo Moro, east of Florence).

• Here you can also try your hand at skiing and snow tubing.
• Prices vary depending on the activity.
• It is open from Thursday to Sunday, with different opening hours depending on the day.

Finally, near the Fortezza da Basso is the Florence Ice Village, the largest ice rink in Europe at 300 meters.

• Here you can visit Santa's house and several food stalls.
• The first hour costs around €8, while the second hour costs only €5.
• Skate rental costs around €2.
• It is open until February, from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.

December is one of the coldest months of the year in Florence. The average high during this month is only 11°C, while the average low is 3°C.

Given these low temperatures, all you can do is pack well with a scarf, hat, gloves, a good coat and, if you feel the cold a lot, some thermal underwear. In any case, I recommend checking the weather forecast before you set off on your trip.

When planning your itinerary, it is also worth bearing in mind that the sun sets shortly after 4:30 p.m., which will affect any visits that do not involve going inside a building.