Here are the festivals and events that happen each December in Florence.
Early- to Mid-December - Hanukkah. Hanukkah in Florence is celebrated in the Ghetto - the Jewish area of Florence which was the first segregated Jewish community in Europe. Visit the Florence Synagogue, just north of Santa Croce, for the lighting of the Menorrah, kosher food finds, and Hanukkah festivities.
December 8 - Immaculate Conception. On this day, the Catholic faithful celebrate the day of the Virgin Mary's conception of Jesus. In Florence at this time, the Fierucolina dell'Immacolata, an art and food fair in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, is typically held. Also, as December 8 is also a national holiday, many businesses may be closed in observance.
Mid-December - Christmas Markets in Florence. From now until mid-January, there are several Christmas fairs in Florence. One of the most popular is the Mercato Tedesco di Natale - the German Christmas Market - held in Piazza Santa Croce. It is filled with stalls selling some typical German crafts, but also plenty of Italian-made nativity crafts, children's toys, and seasonal treats. Another Christmas market is Florence Noel, which is held at Stazione Leopolda near Porta al Prato. This is where you can take the little ones to have their photo taken with Babbo Natale, as well as purchase Christmas crafts and gifts.
December 25 - Christmas Day. You can expect everything to be closed on Christmas Day as Florentines celebrate the most important religious holiday of the year. Of course, there are many ways to celebrate Christmas in Florence, from attending midnight mass at Il Duomo to visiting Christmas crèches around the city.
December 26 - Saint Stephen's Day. This public holiday after Christmas is typically an extension of Christmas day, when families venture out to view nativity scenes in churches and visit Christmas markets. The feast day of Santo Stefano is also held on this day and especially celebrated at churches that venerate Saint Stephen.
December 31 - New Year's Eve (Festa di San Silvestro). Just as it is all over the world, New Year's Eve, which coincides with the Feast of Saint Sylvester (San Silvestro), is celebrated with much fanfare in Florence. Check our our information on New Year's Eve in Italy for more information on festivities and traditions.
Continue reading: Florence in January | Florence Month-by-Month
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