When does Christmas in Florence begin?
If I were asked to fix the beginning of Christmas in Florence I would not be able to give a definitive answer. There are various events and initiatives in the city that announce the coming of Christmas and it’s hard to say which of them is the one to choose.

The Christmas tree in Santa Maria Novella
Usually during the first days of December a big Christmas tree is set up in the hall of the station. If you come to Florence by train for the Christmas holidays you will be welcome by this tree and you will be able to hang cards on its branches, where to write your thoughts and leave a “mark” of your stay in the city.

The Christmas markets in Piazza Santa Croce
Every year a Christmas market is set up in Piazza Santa Croce. It’s the traditional German market with wooden stalls, with red and white covers and traditional recipes from Germany and Austria. It’s part of the Florentine tradition, people love to go there and live the typical Christams atmosphere and warm up with some special hot food, like the bratwursts, or by having a spiced vin brulè.

Christmas decorations in town
By December the streets and the squares in the historical center are draped with lights: it means that the city is ready for Christmas and also many shops are decorated with colorful lights, in order to attract inhabitants and tourists. No doubt that to walk in Florence during this period is really amazing.

Last but not least…
Perhaps the icon of Christmas for most of Florentines is the big Christmas tree of piazza Duomo, which is decorated with red lilies and whose light are enlightened on December 8th (usually by the mayor himself). To answer the initial question of the article… well, maybe could be this the real beginning of Christmas in Florence.

Travel tips
The Christmas market in piazza Santa Croce are set up during the first weeks of December. This year it will start on December 3rd and end up on the 21st, they are open from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm. Most of the place to eat is open air and the table shared with other people, but the intimte atmosèhere and the hot food prepared will warm you up.