{"id":476,"date":"2018-12-01T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2018-12-01T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-12-15T10:59:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T10:59:49","slug":"spending-the-winter-holidays-in-florence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/01\/spending-the-winter-holidays-in-florence\/","title":{"rendered":"SPENDING THE WINTER HOLIDAYS IN FLORENCE"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spending The Winter Holidays In Florence<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n
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Of all the seasons to spend in Florence, winter is by far my favourite. Free at last from the multitudes that throng the city all spring and summer, Florence slips quietly into a state of hibernation. It\u2019s left up to the locals to provide the faint pulse of everyday life, as short, crisp days fade into frosty evenings and brightly lit nights. But this they do well: commuting through deserted piazzas, mulling around half-empty wine bars and stoically keeping to the tradition of the evening passeggiata<\/i>. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Piano piano<\/span><\/i>, slowly but surely, Florence starts its gradual meander towards Christmas quite late by our standards \u2013 on December 8th, the Day of the Immaculate Conception. To mark this advent, the annual terracotta Nativity Scene makes its appearance in the Piazza del Duomo, standing in the shadow of the city\u2019s towering, giglio rosso<\/i>adorned Christmas tree on one side; the gothic pink, white and green marble fa\u00e7ade of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (or <\/span>Duomo<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>) on the other. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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All across the historic centre, Christmas decorations light up Florence\u2019s main streets and pedestrianized boulevards, competing only, in terms of their ornate brilliance, with the annual <\/span>Festival of Lights<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>. This citywide show, running from December \u2013 January 8th, illuminates Florence\u2019s many squares and landmarks, projecting stunning high-res images onto the Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio and transforming them into canvases fit for a city with such artistic renown.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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The warm glow of these lights brings welcome respite in the otherwise chilly months of December and January. But for those of us who hail from milder climes, spending winter in Florence is sometimes preferable to sweating your way through the sweltering summer heat of July and August. So wrap up warm, venture into the centre, and you\u2019ll see that this is the most beautiful time of year to explore the renaissance city. Let us at <\/span>Roman Candle Tours<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> share with you some suggestions how.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Explore Santa Croce\u2019s main Christmas market<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/h3>\n
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For two years I lived on Borgo Santa Croce, the street running adjacent to the eponymous piazza and church. So it goes without saying I got to know Santa Croce\u2019s Christmas market pretty well. Exactly the same stalls return each year, so I can tell you precisely what to expect \u2013 German food and mulled wine stalls; a stand shifting puffer-jackets; cute, child-centred bric-a-brac shops; a quirky British tea and jam stand; Central European chocolate stalls; and a delightful stall displaying glass bottles and bottle-caps crafted into quirky little figurines. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Food pilgrims rejoice at the Polish food stall, which serves up a steamy selection of decently priced sausage and sauerkraut centred meat dishes. At the opposite corner of the market is something a little more Italian (though no less meaty): a stall selling panini con la porchetta<\/i>, \u201croasted-pork focaccia sandwiches\u201d, well washed down with a beer or mulled wine from Soul Kitchen\u2019s small neighbouring stall and polished off with a sweet <\/span><\/span>chimney cake<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> from the Hungarian stall just opposite. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Wander Piazza Santissima Annunziata\u2019s \u201cFierucola\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Opening on December 8th, on the day vast crowds gather in the adjacent Piazza del Duomo to watch the lighting of Florence\u2019s main Christmas tree, the market \u201c<\/span><\/span>Fierucola<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>\u201d springs up on Piazza Santissima Annunziata \u2013 one of Florence\u2019s most charming squares. Made up of a handful of humble, agricultural stalls selling quality rural foodstuffs, the market runs throughout the weekend. <\/span><\/span>For more information, on this and other food and craft markets in Florence, check out our blog post about <\/b><\/span>Florence\u2019s markets<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Piazza Santissima Annunziata is perfect for a short walk around, not least because of the remarkable side view it gives of the Duomo. When you\u2019re finished, why not check out the <\/span><\/span>Museo degli Innocenti<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> that borders it \u2013 Florence\u2019s first orphanage, still in operation as a regional care service and UNICEF headquarters and since converted into a powerful interactive museum and, upstairs, an awe-inspiring art gallery.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Go dancing on ice at Florence\u2019s Obihall<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Your typical Italian Christmas may not conjure up images of ice-skating, but come to <\/span><\/span>Obihall<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span>this winter and you\u2019ll see how Florence always defies expectations. Running all day, every day until February 24th<\/sup> (excluding Christmas) <\/b><\/span><\/span>Firenze Winter Park<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> will be offering you the unique opportunity to go ice-skating with friends and family.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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The perfect activity if you\u2019re <\/span><\/span>visiting Florence with your kids<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, each three-hour session at the Firenze Winter Park costs just \u20ac6 per person. Fridays see Obihall become the scene of the \u201caperidance\u201d \u2013 a quintessentially Italian combination of <\/span><\/span>aperitivo<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/span> and dancing \u2013 for the cost of just \u20ac15.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Catch a concert at Teatro Verdi<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Conveniently situated just a couple of minute\u2019s walk between Piazza Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio and Duomo, <\/span><\/span>Teatro Verdi<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span>is one of Florence\u2019s main cultural events hubs. This year\u2019s festal calendar features Raymond Brigg\u2019s nostalgia soaked \u201cThe Snowman\u201d (<\/span><\/span>Il Pupazzo di Neve<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>) on December 8th and the classic <\/span><\/span>Dirty Dancing<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> on December 21st and 22nd (you\u2019ll have the time of your life). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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For anyone fortunate enough to be in Florence for Christmas itself, Teatro Verdi will host its own Christmas conert, <\/span><\/span>Il Concerto di Natale<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, at 17:00 on Christmas Eve. <\/b>Tickets for any of Teatro Verdi\u2019s performances can be purchased <\/b><\/span><\/span>online<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span>or in person at the theatre\u2019s ticket office.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Cross the river and explore Oltrarno<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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When crossing over from Florence\u2019s historic centre to Oltrarno, don\u2019t miss the focal points of the <\/span><\/span>Festival of the Lights \u2013 an opalescent laser display projected onto the medieval Ponte Vecchio. Living in Florence, I\u2019ve had the pleasure of seeing this the last three years, and every time feels like the first. Its beautifully designed themed scenography captivates everyone who passes by. A word of advice though \u2013 don\u2019t bother filming it as the lighting never does justice; just sit back, admire and enjoy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Visit Florence\u2019s attractions while the numbers are down<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Florence is world-famous for its galleries and museums. And as this is lost on none of its visitor, the best time to visit them is out of season. So whether that involves taking our <\/span><\/span>Accademia tour<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> and coming face-to-face with Michelangelo\u2019s magnificent marble David<\/a><\/b>, his unfinished <\/span><\/span>Slaves<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, or any other of the gallery\u2019s world-renowned works of art, or visiting the <\/span><\/span>Uffizi Gallery<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span>with its repository of masterpieces by Botticelli, <\/span><\/span>Leonardo<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, Caravaggio and Raphael, make sure to come during the winter holidays and take advantage of having them (almost) to yourself.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Seek out some traditional Florentine Christmas cuisine<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Italy might be best known for its pasta and pizza, but these world-famous staples are done better in their cities and regions of origin \u2013 <\/span><\/span>Bologna<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, in the region of Emilia-Romagna and Naples in the region of Campania respectively. Florentine food, by contrast, focuses mainly on the mains: rich, meaty dishes like <\/span><\/span>bistecca alla fiorentina<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><\/span>, trippa alla fiorentina<\/i> (Florentine tripe; don\u2019t knock it till you try it) and \u2013 where pasta forms the basis of the dish \u2013 thick, freshly prepared pappardelle<\/i>smothered in a wild-boar (cinghiale<\/i>) or wild-hare (lepre<\/i>) rag\u00f9<\/i>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Perhaps because of this culinary culture revolving around main dishes, Florentine Christmas food is fairly typical of <\/span><\/span>Christmas food in Italy<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/b><\/span>as a whole. Starters tend to consist of pat\u00e8-smothered canap\u00e9s and tortellini soup while the main might be roast pork, seasoned with garlic, rosemary, fresh sage, salt and, of course, extra virgin olive oil. A popular Christmas dessert, though originally from Florence\u2019s historical rival of Siena, is panforte<\/i> (or \u201cstrong bread\u201d, so-called for reasons that\u2019ll become immediately apparent once you try it).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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When it comes to where to eat at Christmas, our top <\/span><\/span>recommendations for fine Italian dining<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> are <\/span><\/span>Trattoria 4 Leoni<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> in Piazza della Passera \u2013 a charming, traditional restaurant one of the city\u2019s most characterful squares \u2013 or, a little further outside the centre, a quintessentially Italian gourmet experience beloved by locals: <\/span><\/span>Ristorante<\/span><\/b> Perseus<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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A Spanish tradition, which spread to Italy in the nineteenth century, sees white grapes make a special appearance on traditional Tuscan tables around New Year. Their consumption, accompanied by the proverb, \u201cChi mangia l\u2019uva a capodanno, conta i quattrini tutto l\u2019anno<\/i>, or, \u201cWhoever eats grapes at New Year can count their coins for year to come,\u201d is seen as a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Perhaps because, historically, few viticulturalists could have afforded to save some grapes from the harvest and keep them until December 31st.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Celebrate New Year\u2019s Eve in Florence<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Florence might not be renowned for its nightlife, but New Year\u2019s Eve always proves an exception. Throughout the Tuscan capital and in the surrounding hills and villages, friends and families unite to usher in the New Year (capodanno<\/i>, in Italian) together. Often in the radiant glow of festive fireworks. Always in a convivial atmosphere of flowing wine. Wherever you go out in Florence, you\u2019ll be spoilt for choice on New Year\u2019s Eve. Nevertheless, here\u2019s a short list of our top recommendations.  <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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Anyone wishing to start their evening in the lap of luxury should make a <\/span><\/span>Gala dinner<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> reservation at the Relais Santa Croce, a five-star hotel between the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Duomo. From 8:30pm, they\u2019ll be welcoming you into one of their many sumptuously furnished eighteenth century rooms for a celebratory glass of champagne or prosecco. Then from 9:00pm, their team of distinguished chefs will be serving up an eight-course dinner accompanied by select cellar wines.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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After dinner, where better to count down to the stroke of midnight than in one of Florence\u2019s many piazzas. Each square will be putting on its own event as part of the annual <\/span><\/span>parties in the piazzas<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>. Announced so far is a classic concert at Piazzale Michelangelo, which boasts a panorama par excellence <\/i>over the entire city and beyond, a performance by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Vraza, Bulgaria, at Piazza della Signoria, and a New Orleans style marching band at Piazza del Carmine in <\/span><\/span>Oltrarno<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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For a guaranteed great night out, either before or after the stroke of midnight, head to Florence\u2019s most famous club, <\/span><\/span>Tenax<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>. Featuring three world-class DJs, this year\u2019s event, <\/span><\/span>Nobody\u2019s Perfect<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, runs from 10:30pm on New Year\u2019s Eve to midday on the 1st, so high energy reserves are a must. Tickets cost \u20ac10 – \u20ac15, depending on whether you book in advance or pay on the door. Oh, and be aware that Tenax is quite far from the centre, near the airport, so you\u2019ll need to get a taxi.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n

Experience winter in Florence with Roman Candle Tours<\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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If you\u2019re coming to Florence in winter, we at <\/span>Roman Candle Tours<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> have written this article just for you, to suggest some of the city\u2019s best festive events and things to do in Florence around Christmas and New Year. If you want to discover more, you can do so by visiting our <\/span>best of Florence<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> blog, which covers everything culinary, cultural and otherwise in the Cradle of the Renaissance, and by checking out our <\/span>range of tours<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> in the Tuscan capital.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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If you want to get out and explore the Tuscan countryside, we also run a day trip to <\/span>Siena and San Gimignano<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, which while much smaller than the Tuscan capital are just as \u2013 if not even more \u2013 stunning. And if during your time in Florence you want nothing more than to head straight for the Leaning Tower, we offer a trip to <\/span>Pisa<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> <\/span><\/b>that lets you climb up the slanting structure before exploring the other highlights of the Piazza of Miracles over which it looms.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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It\u2019s not just in Florence that we operate. Roman Candle Tours runs a range of acclaimed fixed and tailored itineraries across Italy\u2019s other main cities: <\/span>Rome<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>Venice<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span> and <\/span>Naples<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>. In the last of this <\/span>three-part series<\/span><\/b><\/a><\/span>, we\u2019ll be taking you through how to spend the winter holidays in the Eternal City, the caput mundi<\/i> \u2013 Rome. We can\u2019t wait to see you there. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
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If you liked this article, also read “The Definitive Guide To The Best Day Trips From Florence<\/a>“<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spending The Winter Holidays In Florence Of all the seasons to spend in Florence, winter is by far my favourite. Free at last from the multitudes that throng the city all spring and summer,\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":496,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[871],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-florence"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=476"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4689,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions\/4689"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/romancandletours.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}