The charm of Christmas in Florence
The Christmas markets are one of the many traditions that come around every year from November to December. Each city has its own and each is distinctive in its own way. Among the best known and best to visit are the Christmas markets in Florence.
If you want to know where and when to find these markets, keep reading our article and you’ll find all the information you need. The Christmas markets in Florence are now a real tradition that is sure to attract visitors from all over Italy as well as from abroad of course.
Wandering around the Christmas markets is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Florence! Let’s find out dates and locations.
The dates for the Christmas Markets in Florence
The fun begins on 19th November in Piazza Santa Croce (Christmas market called Wihnachtsmarkt). Like every year, people come back to the German and international-style market. Here they can find the typical wooden houses that will give anyone who visits them a genuine Christmas experience, to quote the organizers, here you can find everything that “makes Christmas” from all over Europe such as food, gifts, crafts and clothing. The stalls are open every day from 10am to 10pm with free admission.
From sweets to gift ideas, the Piazza Santa Croce will offer visitors a taste of Christmas magic until 18th December, when the market usually ends. The 2022 dates have yet to be confirmed. As well the market there is also the Fierucola dell’Immacolata which takes place on 8th December in the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata. This is one of the oldest and most popular events for the people of Florence. The pre-Christmas Fierucola will be held again in Florence this year and is scheduled to take place on Sunday 19th December, in the Piazza della Santissima Annunziata.
Antiques and Vintage
The Christmas market schedule in Florence continues with the opening of the Christmas market in the old convent, which will begin on 8th December, when the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated.
This market, known as Only Usato, will welcome you in Via Giano della Bella, from 11am to 7pm.
L’8 dicembre è anche la data in cui viene acceso l’albero di Natale in Piazza del Duomo, dove è possibile trovare anche il Presepe, solitamente allestito davanti alla Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
Scrolling through the list and the dates of the Christmas markets in Florence you arrive at the Curiosando al Mercato event, which will take place on 23rd December in Piazza Ciompi.
Curiosando al Mercato is an event at which, against the backdrop of the Christmas markets of Florence, with its 22 stalls, you can immerse yourself in the world of antiques, vintage, artistic crafts and bric-à-brac.
The last market in Florence’s Christmas market schedule takes us to the Oltrarno area, which also has much more to offer.
The Christmas markets in Florence Oltrarno
On 26th December one of the most famous Christmas markets in Florence begins, the Santo Spirito in Fiera, which as well as the traditional market also hosts craft stands.
The Santo Spirito in Fiera is part of a larger initiative known as Natale è l’Oltrarno which brings the colour of Christmas tot the whole area every December.
Piazza del Carmine, in Oltrarno, comes alive with another of Florence’s Christmas markets as early as 19th December, but, as well as the famous Fierucolina – this is the name of the market – there is something else that makes Piazza del Carmine comes alive.
Indeed, during the Christmas period the square also becomes an official offshoot of Santa Claus village, where children can meet him and parents can give him toys to give to less fortunate children.
In Piazza del Carmine, on Tuesdays and Fridays, you can also learn and practice winter sports such as ice skating and hockey, while in the Basilica del Santo Spirito there is the great Christmas concert.
