Ask the Tuscany Experts on our Forum. Book your Tour. Buy Museum Tickets. The Christmas season in Florence, and across Italy, starts in early December. During the first days of the month, in fact, storekeepers decorate their shop windows for the holidays and the city of Florence begins to place public decorative lights along all the city streets.
December 8 in Italy is a National holiday that celebrates the Immaculate Conception. This day of festivity unofficially starts the countdown to Christmas as many families traditionally use this day to set up and decorate their Christmas tree and Nativity scene also known as a creche in their homes, although that tradition is changing.
The large Christmas tree set up in the magnificent setting of Piazza del Duomo is lit up on December 7th at 6pm. The lighting up of the Christmas tree is accompanied by an official public ceremony with the participation of Florence's mayor and other events, such as concerts and entertainment.
On the same day, there are other Christmas trees in the center that are lit up for the first time: at 5. There are many other trees of various sizes set up across piazzas in the various neighborhoods beyond the center. The Nativity has beautiful life-size statues made in terracotta by an artisan of Impruneta, a small town outside of Florence famous for their production of terracotta home and garden items.
The baby Jesus is only placed on Christmas Day, of course. Both the Christmas tree and the Nativity scene are up until January 6 , the day of the Epiphany. The Uffizi and Accademia Gallery are generally open on December 8, since it is a religious holiday although if the day falls during the week, it becomes a bank holiday and schools are closed. The theme for this year's Festival of Lights is "Florence Lights Up" and this means there will be many projections and other video maps on the main monuments of the cty center.
