The smell of roasted chestnuts, local culinary specialities, handmade crafts and many ideas for gifts for all, is what awaits you in this festive month in many cities and towns throughout Italy. The markets in Florence and Arezzo are two which, over the years, have and still, attract much attention.
CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN FLORENCE
Christmas markets in Florence are one of the city's most fascinating and traditional attractions during the Christmas season. Scattered throughout different squares and streets in the historic centre, these markets offer visitors an immersive experience in the Florentine Christmas atmosphere.
Strolling among the wooden stalls, one can admire a wide selection of handicrafts, tree decorations, terracotta nativity scenes, woolen scarves and mittens, hand-painted ceramics and many other unique creations characteristic of the local tradition.
The scent of mulled wine, cookies and typical Christmas sweets wafts through the air, inviting visitors to stop by and enjoy Tuscan culinary specialties.
In addition to the stalls, Christmas markets in Florence also offer entertainment and animation. You can often listen to Christmas choirs, admire jugglers and street performers, or participate in workshops and creative workshops for adults and children.
The magic of Christmas comes alive in every corner of these markets, making them a must for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the city's enchanting Christmas atmosphere.
The Florence Christmas Market in Piazza Santa Croce
The Santa Croce Square Christmas Market in Florence is undoubtedly the city's largest and most renowned, with a history rooted in more than 20 years.
This event, which attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world, has now become a true tradition for Florentines and those who choose Florence as their Christmas travel destination.
This year, the Market will open its doors from November 21 to December 17, 2024 (dates to be confirmed), offering visitors a unique and magical experience immersed in the enchanted atmosphere of Christmas.
The characteristic wooden cottages, carefully set up and attractively decorated, will host a wide selection of handicraft products from different European regions, from the North to the South of the Continent.
As you stroll among the market stalls, you will be able to admire beautiful hand-painted ceramic objects made by skilled local artisans and from famous Tuscan workshops.
Alongside these, there will be space for masterful nativity scenes, the work of skilled hands, and unique jewellery, perfect for giving special gifts to loved ones.
But the Santa Croce Square Christmas Market offers more than just an extraordinary variety of high-quality products: throughout the period of the event, there will be music, singing and dancing, with engaging performances by flag-wavers cheering up visitors.
There will, of course, be no shortage of culinary delights typical of the Christmas season: from Germany's famous Christmas cookies, to tasty traditional Austrian sausages, to mouth-watering Swiss chocolate cakes.
The Christmas Market in Florence's Santa Croce Square will be open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while Friday, Saturday and Sunday hours will be extended until 11:00 p.m., offering all visitors a chance to fully immerse themselves in the city's Christmas atmosphere.
Mercatini di Natale Arezzo
The Christmas Market is located in the splendid location of Piazza Grande in Arezzo and will be open from Thursday to Sunday. The largest Christmas market from the Tyrol region of Italy and Austria and boasts typical exhibitors with the best local artisan products and fills the historical centre with the childhood smell associated with Christmas!
DATES AND TIMES
The Tyrolean Village is open from November 16 to December 29, 2024. It will not be active every day, but from Thursday to Sunday until December 19 and then every day until Sunday, December 29, 2024.
THE MAGIC OF THE TYROLEAN VILLAGE/THE LARGEST TYROLEAN MARKET IN ITALY IN THE HEART OF TUSCANY
Unique, original, characteristic and always more magical. The 2024 edition will be even more sparkling. From November 16 to December 29, Arezzo will host the largest Tyrolean Village in Italy with a program full of events and attractions. The Christmas market, three flavour huts for the tasting of typical products, the big lights show with projections on the palaces of Piazza Grande, the Chestnut Cabin, the sweets from Tyrol and the guided tours to discover Arezzo with the special "Christmas in Arezzo" packages.
THE CABINS OF TASTE IN THE HEART OF PIAZZA GRANDE
Pretzel, raclette, melted cheese, polenta and the famous roasted shank. The Baite del Gusto Tirolesi, characteristic wooden houses equipped for the tasting of typical products, are back by popular demand. For the 2024 edition there will be even 3, all from Tyrol. In the warm atmosphere of Piazza Grande you can taste the best beers of Tyrol and the typical Tyrolean dishes: stuffed pretzels, sandwiches with hamburgers and Tyrolean sausage, spatzle, polenta, canederli and the famous roasted shank. A world of tastes and flavours from Tyrol that will cheer up your stay at the Christmas Markets in Arezzo.
SANTA'S HOUSE IN THE FORTRESS
There will be two top Christmas attractions in Arezzo: Santa's House, which is even bigger and more welcoming and arrives at the highest and most panoramic point of the city: the Medici Fortress. Over 10,000 square metres of magic and fun for a unique route through the rock-dug shelters where you can meet Santa Claus and his magic elves. An attraction not to be missed with games, workshops, great installations, the Planetarium, the large Lemax Village and many surprises.
LEGO HOUSE IN PIAZZA GRANDE
Also new for the Brick House, the Christmas Lego house that returns with its splendid works of art. And it returns to a wonderful context: the Fraternity Palace in Piazza Grande. Next to the Christmas Markets will be the House of the most famous bricks in the world. Over 40 works of art in style, large installations, mosaics and moc entirely made with Lego.
BIG LIGHTS SHOW, THE GREAT LIGHT PROJECTIONS
Spectacular and exciting are the Big Lights again in 2024, games of lights, colours and music that will brighten up the evenings of the Tyrolean Village. From 5 pm a magical spectacle will appear in the square on the facades of the buildings, which will magically be coloured in the Christmas atmosphere. You can attend the shows and enjoy the show! Every night from 5 pm to 9 pm and immerse yourself in the 360 of lights, colours and history of the square. Free and free admission.
AREZZO CITY OF CHRISTMAS TOUR: THE MAGIC OF PARTIES IN TUSCANY
The special Arezzo package and the magic of Christmas, a spectacular guided tour together with a qualified guide, is also back for the 2024 edition. The Crucifix of Cimabue, the Gothic cathedral of San Donato, the Palazzo della Fraternita dei Laici with its suggestive lunar clock, the Palazzo dei Priori and Palazzo Pretorio; the Birthplace of Francesco Petrarca; the Romanesque Pieve di Santa Maria with the polytych by Pietro Lorenzetti, up to the monumental Piazza Grande - where the Tyrolean Village is set up. , Participate every Saturday and Sunday in the guided tour starting at 3 pm from the Cathedral of Arezzo
