During this festivity period (Christmas 2024 - Epiphany 2025) Florence presents itself at its best, with special atmospheres, events and attractions for everyone, citizens and visitors alike.
The city is at its best in the dark, when the lights of Florence Lights Up are switched on: from December 7th to January 7th, places and monuments in the city shine with lights, in a magical atmosphere. This year's event is connected to the #EnjoyRespectFirenze campaign, so that the slogan of the Christmas initiative is #enjoyitwithcare. Videomapping on Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio and the Church of San Paolino.
From December 1st until March 31st , the 55-metre-high Ferris Wheel will be back in operation at the Parco delle Cascine (Piazza Vittorio Veneto); at the same time, the ice skating rink (1,300 square metres of surface area) will be open next to the Ferris Wheel until January 19th . All this will be accompanied by Christmas decorations, themed shows dedicated to children and families, markets, and street food.
The traditional lighting of the main Christmas trees will take place on 8 December, starting at 5.30 p.m., in the following order: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza Duomo, Piazza Repubblica, Piazzale Michelangelo.
Among the various Christmas markets, we would like to point out Mercato di Natale in Piazza Santa Croce, which opened on November 23rd and will remain open until the 22nd of December. In Santa Maria Novella, from the 7th to 22nd of December, there will also be "ChristmArs, il Natale di Ars Manualis" with 16 small houses that will host as many artisans with their handmade creations. There will also be Artefacendo, ARTour and ARTour del gusto to immerse oneself more and more in handicrafts and in the Christmas atmosphere.
Still on the subject of Christmas shopping, in this case in solidarity, we would like to point out the Giocattolo Sospeso (suspended toy) initiative: a nice initiative that allows you to buy a toy to leave in participating shops (the gifts will be donated to children of families in difficulty, distributed through social associations).
There will also be special initiatives and activities for children: from 7th to 24th December, the Santa Claus House will be set up, where children will be able to enter and hand in their letters by posting them in the special box. There will also be the Passeggiate in Carrozza (Carriage rides) with three itineraries in the historical centre towards Santa Maria Novella, Palazzo Medici Riccardi and Palazzo Vecchio, and the Trenino al parco (Little train in the park) from Piazza Vittorio Veneto travelling towards Santa's Village.
