Visit Florence during the holidays and you will find it at its most magical. Festive lights decorate the streets of the cradle of the Renaissance, while quaint Christmas markets are set up in the piazzas of the historic center. The official starting date for the Christmas celebrations is, like for many Italian cities, December 8, which is a national holiday in Italy and traditionally marks the beginning of the holidays.

This year however, celebrations have already begun, with streets and neighborhoods lighting up and creating a magical show against the backdrop of historic monuments and palaces that make Florence even more beautiful. The traditional German-inspired Christmas market, an annual tradition in Florence for 20 years (except 2020) has already been set up on Piazza Santa Croce.