{"id":5947,"date":"2013-12-04T17:54:13","date_gmt":"2013-12-04T16:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/walks.friday.ie\/?p=5947"},"modified":"2025-11-11T16:23:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T16:23:10","slug":"florence-at-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas","title":{"rendered":"Florence at Christmas &#038; New Year: Tips for Sightseeing, Shopping, and Celebrating"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Visiting Florence at Christmas? Count yourself lucky\u2014it&#8217;s a gorgeous time of year to visit! While Florence is beautiful year-round, holiday decorations and Christmas cheer add a festive touch.\u00a0Still, many shops and restaurants do close down to celebrate the Christmas season\u2026 and you&#8217;ll want to keep some other things in mind, too. Here are our top tips for making the most out of spending the Christmas holidays in Florence!<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Get_Festive_in_Florence_at_Christmas\" >Get Festive in Florence at Christmas<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Museums_and_Galleries\" >Museums and Galleries<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Architectural_sights\" >Architectural sights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Day_trips_from_Florence\" >Day trips from Florence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Midnight_Mass_at_Florences_Duomo\" >Midnight Mass at Florence&#8217;s Duomo<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Christmas_Markets\" >Christmas Markets<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Getting_Around_Public_Transport\" >Getting Around \/ Public Transport<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Eating_Out_over_the_Christmas_Holidays\" >Eating Out over the Christmas Holidays<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Ringing_in_the_New_Year_in_Florence\" >Ringing in the New Year in Florence!<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#New_Year%C2%B4s_Eve_Celebrations\" >New Year\u00b4s Eve Celebrations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Dining_Out_on_New_Year%C2%B4s_Eve_or_Day\" >Dining Out on New Year\u00b4s Eve or Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Wine_Bars_and_Special_Events\" >Wine Bars and Special Events<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Sightseeing_at_New_Year\" >Sightseeing at New Year<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#FAQs_About_Spending_Christmas_in_Florence\" >FAQs About Spending Christmas in Florence<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#How_expensive_are_hotels_in_Florence_at_Christmas\" >How expensive are hotels in Florence at Christmas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Which_areas_are_best_to_stay_in_for_the_holidays\" >Which areas are best to stay in for the holidays?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/florence-at-christmas\/#Whats_the_weather_like_in_Florence_at_Christmas_and_what_should_I_pack\" >What\u2019s the weather like in Florence at Christmas, and what should I pack?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_Festive_in_Florence_at_Christmas\"><\/span>Get Festive in Florence at Christmas<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Museums_and_Galleries\"><\/span>Museums and Galleries<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The good news: Florence&#8217;s acclaimed museums are usually less crowded during the holiday season, so you can experience the paintings and sculptures more intimately!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5953\" style=\"width: 510px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/shutterstock_144333553.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5953\" class=\"wp-image-5953 size-full\" title=\"Florence at Christmas\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/shutterstock_144333553.jpg\" alt=\"View from Piazzale Michelangelo\" width=\"500\" height=\"334\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5953\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View from Florence&#8217;s Piazzale Michelangelo: a chilly, but beautiful, walk over Christmas<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The majority of <a href=\"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/florence-museums\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Florentine museums and galleries<\/a>, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uffizi.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Uffizi<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Accademia<\/a>, are usually open to tourists on both December 24 and 26. On Christmas Day, though, most museums are shut.<\/p>\n<p>It is also worth noting that many of these cultural spaces are usually closed on Mondays, even during the holiday periods. So, if you have already booked your trip, and you will be in Florence over a long weekend, here&#8217;s a helpful list of <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/what-to-do-in-florence-on-a-monday\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">what to do in Florence on a Monday<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_8864\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8864\" class=\"wp-image-8864 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/uffizi-tour-tickets-1-copy-2.jpg\" alt=\"The Uffizi Gallery\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/uffizi-tour-tickets-1-copy-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/uffizi-tour-tickets-1-copy-2-768x511.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-8864\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Uffizi Gallery is stunning both inside and outside.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Architectural_sights\"><\/span>Architectural sights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Of course, Florence itself is an open-air museum, too: and Christmas Day is the perfect time to explore Florence&#8217;s extraordinary architecture with a walk along the Ponte Vecchio, or take in a panoramic view of the city from Piazzale Michelangelo in the Oltrarno district. This district is out of the main centre and across the River Arno, but there are many <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/oltrarno-florence-italy-pitti-palace\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">more reasons to explore Oltrarno<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_298\" style=\"width: 2058px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-298\" class=\"wp-image-298 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/DSC_0502-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Florence, where there are lots of events in May\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/DSC_0502-scaled.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/DSC_0502-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/04\/DSC_0502-1536x1020.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-298\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The\u00a0view from Piazzale Michelangelo can&#8217;t be beaten!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Day_trips_from_Florence\"><\/span>Day trips from Florence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Another option? Take a day trip, like to nearby <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/day-trip-from-florence-fiesole\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Fiesole<\/a> or the Tuscan gems Siena and San Gimignano. While trains will run less often than normal (always check the schedule on the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.trenitalia.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trenitalia<\/a> website), visiting a smaller town makes for a wonderful, intimate way to experience Christmas Day.\u00a0Just note that in small towns, almost all shops and restaurants will be closed, so make sure to return to Florence in time for dinner.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2265\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2265\" class=\"wp-image-2265 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/siena2.jpg\" alt=\"Siena Tuscany is one of the best day trips from Florence, Italy. Find out the others right here!\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/siena2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/06\/siena2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2265\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Siena is one of Italy&#8217;s most beautiful cities and is just a day trip away from Florence<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Midnight_Mass_at_Florences_Duomo\"><\/span>Midnight Mass at Florence&#8217;s Duomo<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For a truly Florentine Christmas experience, head to the Duomo for midnight Mass in Italian on Christmas Eve! As entrance to the mass is on a first-come, first-served basis, we recommend arriving before 10:30pm to ensure a spot. The Duomo is also open for Mass on Christmas Day, with a ceremony featuring Gregorian chants.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_23417\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-23417\" class=\"wp-image-23417 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0036.jpg\" alt=\"The interior of Florence's Duomo can be seen while on a walking tour of the Duomo.\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0036.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0036-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0036-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-23417\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The interior of Florence&#8217;s Duomo is quite simply out of this world.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Want to experience the Christmas Mass in English, instead? Head to <a href=\"http:\/\/stmarksitaly.com\/?page_id=63\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Mark&#8217;s<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/stjames.it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">St. James<\/a>\u00a0 which both hold midnight Masses, complete with joyful music.<\/p>\n<p>Keep in mind that, outside of the hours when Mass is being held, Florence&#8217;s churches are mainly closed on Christmas Day. Plus, etiquette-wise, visiting to admire the church&#8217;s art and architecture\u2014rather than partake in a ceremony\u2014is often looked down upon on the holy day. At the Duomo, the entrance to climbing the dome is closed on both Christmas Day and December 26.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5954\" style=\"width: 590px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/8284891469_48e3d5cc18_z.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5954\" class=\" wp-image-5954\" title=\"Christmas in Florence\" src=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/8284891469_48e3d5cc18_z.jpg\" alt=\"Florence Duomo at Christmas\" width=\"580\" height=\"869\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-5954\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence&#8217;s Duomo at Christmas. Photo by Judywitts<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Christmas_Markets\"><\/span>Christmas Markets<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Skip the commercial stores and head straight to stands of artisanal crafts for your Christmas shopping! Florence boasts multiple Christmas markets; these include the Florence Noel (with a small entrance fee, located at the Leopolda Center) and the Weihnachtsmarkt (a traditional German market in Piazza Santa Croce). Discover a <a href=\"https:\/\/devourtours.com\/blog\/christmas-markets-in-florence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complete guide to Florence&#8217;s Christmas markets<\/a> in this article from our friends at Devour.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20981\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20981\" class=\"wp-image-20981 size-full\" title=\"Christmas in Florence\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/1st-paragraph-.jpg\" alt=\"Several wrapped Italian Christmas breads at an Italian market.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/1st-paragraph-.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/1st-paragraph--768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20981\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Check out the local market to pick up one of these traditional Italian Christmas treats.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Both markets run from mid-November to Christmas Eve, with unique gifts and local holiday treats like <em>panettone<\/em>\u00a0and vin brul\u00e9. (Don&#8217;t miss our post on <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-christmas-treats-pandoro-panettone-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Italy&#8217;s sweet Christmas cakes, including\u00a0<\/a><em><a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-christmas-treats-pandoro-panettone-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">panettone!<\/a>).<\/em><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_Around_Public_Transport\"><\/span>Getting Around \/ Public Transport<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Florence\u2019s compact city center means most attractions are within walking distance. Public buses operate on a limited schedule on holidays like Christmas Day and New Year\u2019s Day, but taxis are readily available. If you plan day trips outside Florence, it\u2019s best to check train timetables in advance since regional services may run less frequently during the festive period. Check the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ataf.net\/en\/timetables-and-routes\/timetables-and-routes\/route-list.aspx?idC=180&amp;LN=en-US\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ATAF<\/a> time tables for bus schedules, along with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.trenitalia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trenitalia<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.italotreno.it\/EN\/Pages\/default.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Italo<\/a> for trains. You can also ask the locals for advice, at your hotel reception for example.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_22292\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-22292\" class=\"wp-image-22292 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0018.jpg\" alt=\"A group of people walking around Florence, Italy while listening to a tour guide.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0018.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Walks_Florence_Alone-in-Duomo_0018-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-22292\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Walking tours are a great way to see the sights of Florence, for minimum hassle and maximum history!<\/p><\/div>\n<p>If you will be moving around, we suggest buying bus tickets the day before because most newsstands and coffee shops that sell them will be closed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Eating_Out_over_the_Christmas_Holidays\"><\/span>Eating Out over the Christmas Holidays<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Unsurprisingly, many family-owned restaurants and stores in Florence close on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and St. Stephen&#8217;s Day (December 26) so the owners can spend time with loved ones.<\/p>\n<p>But don&#8217;t worry\u2014there are still some options open for the holidays!\u00a0Reservations are usually mandatory, especially for Christmas Day, when the main meal is a large lunch (and usually with a fixed-price menu). Some of our favorite picks for celebrating Christmas lunch include\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mangiafuocofirenze.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mangiafuoco<\/a>,\u00a0La Giostra, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.lungarnocollection.com\/en\/eat-drink-e-shop\/restaurant-borgo-san-jacopo.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Borgo San Jacopo<\/a>\u00a0and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.4leoni.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trattoria 4 Leoni<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_5154\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-5154\" class=\"wp-image-5154 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/best.restaurants.in_.florence.santino.jpg\" alt=\"A table with a mix of tapas and a glass of wine in the centre.\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/best.restaurants.in_.florence.santino.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/08\/best.restaurants.in_.florence.santino-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-5154\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enjoy the taste of an Italian Christmas, with wine, cheese, seafood, meats and delicious festive breads and desserts.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ringing_in_the_New_Year_in_Florence\"><\/span>Ringing in the New Year in Florence!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"New_Year%C2%B4s_Eve_Celebrations\"><\/span>New Year\u00b4s Eve Celebrations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re looking to celebrate in a restaurant, or with locals outside in a piazza, Florence offers a wide range of options for celebrating Capodanno\u00a0(New Year&#8217;s)!\u00a0The city is famous for its concerts in the piazzas\u00a0and its beautiful firework displays (best places to view them: from along the Arno, or Piazzale Michelangelo).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20899\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20899\" class=\"wp-image-20899 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fireworks_over_Ponte_Vecchio_2res.jpg\" alt=\"A firework display over Florence's Ponte_Vecchio bridge with a reflection in the water.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"897\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fireworks_over_Ponte_Vecchio_2res.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Fireworks_over_Ponte_Vecchio_2res-768x574.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20899\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Florence&#8217;s Ponte_Vecchio is a stunning place to ring in the New Year!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dining_Out_on_New_Year%C2%B4s_Eve_or_Day\"><\/span>Dining Out on New Year\u00b4s Eve or Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For dinner, visitors are spoilt for choice. Lots of restaurants are open on New Year&#8217;s Eve, offering Florentine specialties\u2014and some even with live entertainment. Again, though, make sure you book in advance. And yes, our favorite restaurants in Florence at Christmas, above, also serve New Year&#8217;s Eve dinner.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_12488\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-12488\" class=\"wp-image-12488 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/hand-pouring-red-wine-to-glass-PFYQG6B-2.jpg\" alt=\"How to order Italian wine\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/hand-pouring-red-wine-to-glass-PFYQG6B-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/hand-pouring-red-wine-to-glass-PFYQG6B-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-12488\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Enjoy a glass of red or white, the colours of Christmas in a glass!<\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wine_Bars_and_Special_Events\"><\/span>Wine Bars and Special Events<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Want to grab a celebratory drink? Here are <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/florence\/florence-wine-bars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">four of our other favorite wine bars in Florence<\/a>. However, remember that many spots will tend to be overcrowded on New Year&#8217;s Eve, with elevated cover charges to boot.\u00a0For a more cultural (and, dare we say, elegant) experience, check out the New Year&#8217;s Eve Opera &amp; Gala at the gorgeous <a href=\"https:\/\/stmarksitaly.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">St. Mark&#8217;s English Church<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sightseeing_at_New_Year\"><\/span>Sightseeing at New Year<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Florence&#8217;s fabulous museums have normal hours on New Year&#8217;s Eve. And most stores and restaurants are open during the day in preparation for the evening&#8217;s festivities, too.<\/p>\n<p><em>Capodanno<\/em>\u00a0(New Year&#8217;s Day) is a national holiday in which most Italians take a day of rest, closing shops and restaurants for the day. Don&#8217;t want to rest?\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cultura.comune.fi.it\/pagina\/musei-civici-fiorentini\/museo-di-palazzo-vecchio\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Palazzo Vecchio<\/a>\u2014located in Piazza della Signoria\u2014is one of the few museums open on January 1 (from 1pm to 7pm), offering a glimpse into the life of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.takewalks.com\/blog\/5-must-see-medici-attractions-in-florence\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">noble Medici family<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10541\" style=\"width: 1010px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10541\" class=\"wp-image-10541 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/iStock-504135352-copy.jpg\" alt=\"The Palazzo Vecchio, one of the places you can visit over Christmas in Florence\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/iStock-504135352-copy.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/iStock-504135352-copy-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-10541\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can explore the Palazzo Vecchio on New Year\u00b4s Day in Florence<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Insider&#8217;s tip:<\/strong> If you really want to celebrate like a local, don&#8217;t miss our post on <a href=\"http:\/\/walksofitaly.com\/blog\/traditions-2\/italian-new-year-capodanno\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New Year&#8217;s Eve traditions across Italy<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_About_Spending_Christmas_in_Florence\"><\/span>FAQs About Spending Christmas in Florence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_expensive_are_hotels_in_Florence_at_Christmas\"><\/span>How expensive are hotels in Florence at Christmas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Hotel prices in Florence tend to rise slightly in December, especially around Christmas and New Year\u2019s Eve, when both Italians and international visitors flock to the city. However, rates are generally lower than in the summer high season. To get the best deals, book early\u2014especially if you plan to stay near the historic center or the Piazza del Duomo, where festive events are concentrated.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_areas_are_best_to_stay_in_for_the_holidays\"><\/span>Which areas are best to stay in for the holidays?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For a truly festive experience, consider staying near Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza della Repubblica, or the Oltrarno district. These neighborhoods are close to the city\u2019s main Christmas markets, churches, and restaurants, allowing you to explore on foot. The Oltrarno area, just across the Arno River, offers a quieter and more local feel while still being only a short walk from Florence\u2019s main attractions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_the_weather_like_in_Florence_at_Christmas_and_what_should_I_pack\"><\/span>What\u2019s the weather like in Florence at Christmas, and what should I pack?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>December in Florence is typically cool and crisp, with daytime temperatures averaging between 5\u00b0C and 12\u00b0C (41\u00b0F to 54\u00b0F). Rain showers are common, but snow is rare. Pack warm layers, a waterproof jacket or umbrella, and comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestone streets. Since many of Florence\u2019s Christmas events are outdoors, a scarf, hat, and gloves will help you stay cozy while enjoying the festive lights and markets.<\/p>\n<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-24310\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/pexels-humphrey-muleba-christmas-market.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/pexels-humphrey-muleba-christmas-market.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/pexels-humphrey-muleba-christmas-market-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/>\n<p><strong>Ready to celebrate the holiday season in Florence like a local? <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Explore the array of <strong>expert-led tours from <span class=\"text-token-text-primary font-semibold\">Walks of Italy. <\/span><\/strong>\u00a0From leisurely walks through festive markets to immersive food-and-history experiences, all available this winter. Visit our <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/florence-tours\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"278\" data-end=\"345\">Florence tours page<\/a> today and put in the dates of your stay, so you can view detailed itineraries, and book your spot for a fun and fabulous festive escape!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Visiting Florence at Christmas? Count yourself lucky\u2014it&#8217;s a gorgeous time of year to visit! While Florence is beautiful year-round, holiday decorations and Christmas cheer add a festive touch.\u00a0Still, many shops and restaurants do close down to celebrate the Christmas season\u2026 and you&#8217;ll want to keep some other things in mind, too. Here are our top [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":5952,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[88,64],"ppma_author":[160],"class_list":["post-5947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-christmas","tag-florence"],"authors":[{"term_id":160,"user_id":28,"is_guest":0,"slug":"walksofitaly-2","display_name":"Elena Ciprietti","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9faa64906a691c0581a37e3599ce455d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"","first_name":"Elena Ciprietti","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5947"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5947"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24314,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5947\/revisions\/24314"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5952"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5947"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=5947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}